Portrait of a Port-City, Research Paper Example

Abstract

The research project explored the pictures which were taken of urban landscapes Gdansk, Lübeck, Rostock and Hamburg.  The architectural composition of the buildings that are demonstrated in the urban landscape photographs had been compared for similarities and distinctions.  The social classes that occupy the structures were reviewed.  The transition of neighborhoods that were considered as marginalized to neighborhoods that are presently considered areas for the members of society who are socially and economically upward mobile were demonstrated.   The influence of the predominant architects from each era of construction was reviewed as a component of what caused the neighborhoods to change in value.  The thesis statement that was explored is the manner by which the buildings´ use and value have been modified over time.

Portrait of a Port City

Many of the buildings functions have been modified over time.  In the first photographs from Gdansk, a church can be observed that was constructed with a gothic perspective.  In contrast in the photographs, there are ruins, a collection of townhomes and a mooring structure.  The picture displays the changes that have taken place over time.   In the second picture of the Gdansk waterfront, there are a number of different architectural eras represented.  There are a variety of architectural influences.  The structures range in their influence from Schinkel, Le Corbusier, Loos, and van der Rohe.  In these structures there are a variety of eras and functions which are displayed.   Many of the townhomes demonstrate the five points of architecture that were published by Le Corbusier (Chilcoat et al., 2005).

The early 20^th century had been best detailed by the cultural, social and economic revolutions that influenced architecture.  The secession of Vienna was an attempt to modify the architectural perspective of the past while forming a style that had been more demonstrative of the epoch.  The perspective that had been maintained n by Adolph Loos sought to reject the ornamentation that was a quality of the secessionist architecture.   Loos believed that if the ornaments of the old constructions and the new constructions could be removed, in order to expose the walls, there would be difficulty in distinguishing the homes of the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries.  The homes that were constructed in the nineteenth century could be distinguished by the ornamental characteristics (ACSA, 1995; Larson, 1995).

The social changes that were taking place in Eastern Europe derived constructivism.  The basic approach that was applied by constructivism was its socialist perspective and its functional regard toward design.  These characteristics caused constructivism to be in diametrically opposed to the design concepts of Adolph Loos.   The architectural concepts of design that were promoted by Daniel Libeskind arrived in the later portions of the twentieth century.   The constructivist approach can be examined in the pictures which are demonstrated in Figs. 1- 15.  The constructivist approach applied the five points of architecture that were detailed by Le Corbusier.  Le Corbusier created a concept of structures that were serviceable, mass produced and standardized.  These styles are also applied in Figs. 1- 15.  The proponents of the constructivist style were van der Rohe and Le Corbusier. Van der Rohe and Libeskind have been proponents of purposeful design (Curl & Wilson, 2015; Hitchcock, 1977).

The perspective that was maintained by Adolph Loos perceived that the lack of craftsmanship in a structure presented a detrimental effect on the architectural design endeavor.  Loos perceived that there were many elements in twentieth century architectural design that manifested the genuine form.  Loos was a proponent of the endeavors of the craftsmen being integral to the design methodology.  The craftsmen were the reservoirs of constitution wisdom which had been passed through the ages.  Loos perceived that the depictions of the architect did not have the cognizance of the building materials that were maintained by the craftsmen (ACSA, 1995).  Daniel Libeskind perceived that architectural design should have significance.  Libeskind proposed that architectural design was effective when the architecture projected a meaning on a more profound level.  Libeskind proposed that the architectural design should be able to communicate with its audience instead of merely being viewed as an object with aesthetic qualities (Curl & Wilson, 2015; Frampton & Futagawa, 1983).

In accordance with the perspective of Le Corbusier and van der Rohe, architecture was a projection of conventional technology.  The architecture demonstrated the qualities of the epoch with the construction and the material from which the structure was composed.  The perspective of architecture being dynamic, while responding to the epoch was the philosophical perspective maintained by van der Rohe.  Le Corbusier was also a proponent of architecture being a product of its historical context.  Le Corbusier did not perceive that architecture should be mundane.  Le Corbusier perceived that architectural style was a convergence of principles that brought animation to all of the endeavors of the epoch.  In addition, Le Corbusier perceived that effective architectural design was the outcome of a divergent state of mind.  Le Corbusier proposed that when a novel concept or material is introduced to a conventional architectural form, the design gains a new perspective.  Le Corbusier perceived that the epoch defined the style (Curl & Wilson, 2015; Fletcher, 1987).

Five Points of Le Corbusier´s Architectural Perspective

Le Corbusier´s theoretical perspective on architecture which had been detailed as the five points was created in 1926.  This perspective included the raising of the mass of the edification from the ground.  In addition, Le Corbusier formulated the free plan which was attained by the isolation of the columns in the structure.  These columns bore loads from the walls which caused a subdivision of the space.  In addition, Le Corbusier applied the free vertical wall which was similar to the free plan.  This plan was inverted ninety degrees in order to be implanted on the vertical plane.  Another one of Le Corbusier’s points was the extended horizontal window that has the capacity of sliding in order to open.  The final element that Le Corbusier delineated in his treatise was the roof gardening area.  The roof garden caused the architect to have the capacity of retrieving the ground space that was enveloped by the design (Le Corbusier, 1986).

Le Corbusier published a number of his ideas in his treatise.  The Maison Cook which was designed in 1926 along the Boulogne -Sur – Seine was a residence that was composed of a terrace.  The Maison Cook had been almost an optimal prototype for the expression of Le Corbusier´s ideas with regards to single family residences.  The ground floor was completely exposed.  There was a parking area for an automobile, a petite enclosed entrance and hallways.  In addition, Le Corbusier applied his concept of using the terrace in order to recuperate the design space.  The second and third floors were provided with support on several concrete pillars.  The living room areas were projected through the two floors of the home.  There was also a section of the roof which had been used as a roof garden.  The partitions which had been applied by Le Corbusier in Maison Cook were curved.  The curved quality of the partitions demonstrated their autonomy from the structural supports (Le Corbusier, 1986).

Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier were architects who were inspired by the modern movements of their era.  The architectural ideology proposed by Le Corbusier is a derivative of the various techniques and approaches that he encountered by means of academic investigation.  The primary designs which were demonstrated by Le Corbusier were the youthful style that was imparted to him by his mentor.  The novel technological implementations started to have an influence on his philosophical architectural perspective.  Le Corbusier perceived that there was tremendous potential in the fabricated concrete construction systems (Curl & Wilson, 2015; Dyson, 2008).

Le Corbusier intended to study the properties of concrete by means of his designs.  Le Corbusier applied his experiential knowledge in order to produce his theoretical perspectives on the five points of architecture.  Mies Van der Rohe was inspired by the technological developments of the First World War.  The event of the vanquishing and the decline of the German industrial military complex caused the national morale to decrease.  As a result of his participation in the First World War, van der Rohe sought to invent an architectural style that departed from the traditional perspectives of Schinkel.  Van der Rohe had been able to formulate an organic form of architecture by means of the application of the free plan that was proposed by Le Corbusier (Curl & Wilson, 2015).

Changes in Building Use and Value

The changes in the building use and value occurred as a result of the transformation which occurred in the post-communist societies over the period of a decade.  There are two stages of transformation studies that can be discerned.  The initial stage of transformation took place under the impending collapse of the former administrative regime of the Soviet Union.  The buildings use and value were modified in the process that the post-communist societies of Poland and Eastern Germany experienced in their transition toward democratization (Spohn, 2003).

The phenomenon of administrative change from government directed economics to market based economics caused the process of modernization to take place with regards to the societies.  As a result of the transformation in the systems of economic administration of the Polish and Eastern German societies, the land use changed.   In the second stage of the transformation toward democratically based societies which operate under market based economics, the modernization theory was applied.  As an outcome of the economic, social and cultural transformations that occurred in Poland and eastern Germany during the end of the twentieth century, there has been a new modernization model which has been applied with regards to the post-communist modification processes (Spohn, 2003).

There has also been a revival of nationalist perspectives subsequent to the transformation of the Polish and East German societies.   The most apparent result is the three level systems of democratization, religion and nationalism that took place in Poland.  In Poland, the Catholic Church did not experience the same levels of repressions that were experienced in the peripheral Eastern and central European regimes that were under communist domination.  The Catholic Church in Poland exercised an important participation in the political and social system.  This participation was accomplished by developing an important position for the independent education that would take place at the institutions of higher education (Spohn, 2003).

The establishment of the importance of participation in the educational systems performed as a valuable counterbalance against the Soviet communist regime.  In Poland the socially based Catholic Solidarnosc initiative was the primary proponent of revolutionary changes that occurred in the Polish  system of governance during the periods of 1989- 1990.  Consequently, the social impetus of the revolution was not only oriented toward democracy and capitalism, it was also oriented toward nationalism and Catholic perspectives.  As an outcome, the participation of the Catholic Church became extremely pronounced by the movement which was directed by Lech Walesa and Tadeusz Mazowieki (Spohn, 2003).

Rostock, Hamburg and Lübeck

Municipalities and ports are components of the economic areas of the coastal zones.  These zones are condition with similar associations in the stages of development.  The ports which provide maritime access increase in size with the associated municipalities and the entire area.  The functions that are conducted by ports have been perceived as a significant factor in the formation of agglomerations.  The participation of the maritime ports has experienced significant transformations in the past several years as a result of the economic modifications and the production of alternate methods of transportation.  As the port areas become modified, the municipality and the port become regions that are economically distinguished.   The evaluation of the Eastern port municipalities derives the differentiation of three categories of model production (Pacuk, 2015).  These categories are:

1. The territorial municipality port- This is a municipality with an extensively developed industrial suburb that is associated and given service by the facilities of the port.
2. Technology oriented municipality port- This is a city which the evolution of production systems have been accomplished by the application of advance technology. This type of port influences the residential and tourist functions.
3. Protective municipality port- This is a city which has been deficient with regards to the port matrix. This has enabled the city to survive without the revenues of the port (Pacuk, 2015).

The consideration of whether a port city has the capacity of being adapted to the novel situations of economic competition is reliant on numerous qualities.  These characteristics include the administrative ability of responding to the changes that influences the significance of the metropolis.  One of the manifestations of the capacity of being able to adapt to change is the revitalization of the urban warehouse and residential structures.  In a number of circumstances, the revitalization of the urban industrial and residential structures supplies the port with new motives for production.  In addition, the capacity of being able to adapt elevates the attractive characteristics of the port cities with regards to international trade (Pacuk, 2015).

The replacement of the traditional industries is the underlying factor for change in the fundamental economic frameworks of a number of municipalities.   In addition, the deterioration of a number of structures has become the causal attribute of the start of the revitalization process within various municipalities.  The activities that are associated with the renovation of the derelict structures derived spatial and functional transformations in the areas of the ports subsequent to the revitalization process (Pacuk, 2015).

Revitalization infers an intricate process which is reliant on several factors.  Revitalization may be delineated as the structural modifications which are composed of reinforcing the occupation and utility of the core urban areas.  The revitalization is an outcome of collaborative endeavors of the public and private spheres (Pacuk, 2015).

Modification of Derelict Industrial Space in Gdansk and its Present Use

The transitions from the industrial era to the knowledge based era have had the outcome of various postindustrial locations in the Eastern European cities receiving attention.  These areas have been requiring renovation and transformation for generations.  The challenge of revitalizing the brownfield areas has been addressed in the Western portions of Europe for several generations.  The challenge of revitalizing the brownfield spaces in Poland has occurred later than in the other portions of Europe.  The brownfield areas which were once industrial areas in a government directed economy continue to be an issue for developers, designers and the municipal authorities.  The transformation of the brownfield areas into new areas of operation and associating these areas with the peripheral urban areas has been one of the primary endeavors of urban design (Stangel, 2011).

The revitalization processes are lengthy and intricate.  In addition, the transformation of the brownfield areas has been followed by the nation’s economic development and migration towards a knowledge based economic system.  Zollverein is one of the best models with regards to the revitalization of brownfield areas into mixed use spaces.  In Poland many of these projects are in the initial stages of development.  The results have been that several public structures have received new roads and interest of private investment.  These infrastructure improvements have been provided in order to transform their use from brownfield areas to mixed use areas.  Some of the approaches that have been applied are to convert the brownfield structures and areas into temporary art exhibits.  The application of the derelict building and brownfield areas has had the result of raising awareness toward the need for revitalization of these spaces (Stangel, 2011).

In Gdansk, there are approximately fifty hectares of brownfield area that is positioned in a half a kilometer proximity to the center of the city.  The brownfield area continued to operate until the mid-1990s.  The Gdansk shipyard industrial zone is an area of great national and historic importance.  Lech Walesa labored at the Gdansk shipyards.  The Polish Solidarity movement initiated at the Gdansk shipyards.  The revitalization plan has been initiated by a division from Gdansk Technical University who were directed by Professor Kochanowksi.  There has been a plan which was established in 2000 by a team from Sasaki Architects (Stangel, 2011).

The urban design plan proposed a foundation of separating the brownfield area in Gdansk into urban residential and mixed use blocks, while placing an infrastructure of streets which are interconnected.  The city plans for the area were ratified in 2005.  The former Gdansk industrial shipyard zone is now under the ownership of Baltic Property Trust.  The plans have become more detailed with the new owners.  There are plans to apply the derelict Gdansk industrial buildings and convert them into mixed use properties.  There is a main street which is being designed which is designated Nowa Walowa.  There are plans for a boardwalk.  The new constructions will be merged with the existing historical edifices.  The development has provided the European Solidarity Center, Solidarity Square and a new construction endeavor which is being launched by FORT architects.  In addition, there is the Road to Freedom which is a public area for pedestrians.  The Wyspa Art Institute has been administrating cultural events and festivals in order to raise public awareness with regards to the need for revitalization of the area (Stangel, 2011).

Conclusion

The buildings in the photographs are a combination of the architectural perspectives that were proposed by Schinkel, Loos, Le Corbusier, van Der Rohe, and Libeskind.  The theories of each of the pictures in the cities of Gdansk, Lübeck, Rostock and Hamburg are demonstrative of these influences.  The eras of the architectural forms are varied.  The nineteenth century architecture can be distinguished by its ornamental style.  The twentieth century architecture is more difficult to distinguish due to the analysis of the elements which are contained.

References

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Chilcoat, C., Acciano, R., Adams, F., Andrews, S., Blond, B.  & Stone, A.  (2005).  Western Europe. Lonely Planet.

Curl, J .S.  & Wilson, S.  (2015). The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture (3^rd edition). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Dyson, S. L. (2008). In pursuit of ancient pasts: A history of classical archaeology in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Yale University Press.

Fletcher, B. (1987). A history of architecture. Butterworths.

Frampton, K., & Futagawa, Y. (1983). Modern architecture. ADA Edita.

Hitchcock, H. R. (1977). Architecture: nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Vol. 15). Yale University Press.

Larson, M. S. (1995). Behind the postmodern facade: Architectural change in late twentieth-century America. University of California Press.

Le Corbusier (1986). Toward a new architecture. Courier Publications.

Pacuk, M. (2015). Revitalization of port areas in the example of the south- east Baltic Sea cities. Problems of Regional and Local Development in Polish, Russian and Lithuanian parts of the South Baltic Arc, 109.

Spohn, W. (2003). Transformation process, modernization patterns and collective identities: Democratization, Nationalism and religion in post-communist  Germany, Poland and Russia.  Post-communist transformation and the social sciences: Cross – disciplinary approaches. Rowan and Littlefield.

Stangel, M. (2011). Transformation of derelict into mixed – use urban neighborhood-Case studies in the Polish cities. Silesian University of Technology.