2017 / COUNTER-A(C)T TACK, more than three dimensional landscapes / A – Ideas
Fences in different forms of manifestation are part of our everyday, consciously and subconsciously, they are inherent in our existence. As we interpreted them, they act as borders, limitations, as well physical as mental, in landscapes and in our minds.
We explored and in design incorporated two kinds and acts of (of)fence – construction pits and ‘‘war’‘. Two completely different, on first hand incompatible existing worldwide problematics of limiting space and mind, which we thoughtfully interlaced and came out with universal strategic and design solution of COUNTERACT – COUNTER ATTACK … the landscape can reach further, deeper than it’s normally understood three dimensions.
Nowadays there are many abandoned enclosed construction pits inside the cities around the world that act as fences both on the physical and mental level. These places without program are grey spots in every city structure and usually because of the high fences absent parts in our perception of the city, making urban landscapes limited. On the other hand there are wars, which existed since always. They have been changing locations, forms, main actors, victims, but even if not active, they are present. With or without war we are in need of feeling save, having a shelter.
In wish of one day’s aliveness of before mentioned construction pits they offer themselves as great potentials for placing new war shelters right inside them in the broken hearts of the cities as part of the renewing strategy for the sites. So not only shelter would be created, but also the landscape and city-built structures around. The new city planning strategy should be based on existing construction pits and should envisage two floors / ground planning – considering deepenth third dimension of landscape.
New underground world is so created as a water bubble – small scaled universe, promising all people’s necessary needs, from physiological to self-actualizing and what is most important safe. This is assured by using submarine, military asset to ˝counter-a(c)t tack˝. Benefits of placing shelter into this already shaped form are in verified abstinence of outside solid structure made of thick metal hulls to pressure with openings that can be hermetically sealed, they have existing air ventilation system and are designed for living inside in given period of time. All of this makes abandoned used and outdated submarines ideal to be recycled and used as an underground war shelters. While not being a shelter, underground ‘‘landscapes’’ can also function as daily centre, restaurant, night club, ho(s)tel, etc.
For the needs of a shelter, the inside space organization of a submarine is changed and adjusted to a new function. Instead of mostly technician rooms proposed liveable submarine is a two floored structure with more dormant contents of dorm rooms with showers and balcony library on the upper floor and daily activities on the ground floor. There is a multipurpose great hall with a kitchen + refectory / amphitheatric performance place / children’s play area / wall gardening and sanitary facilities, nursery room, fitness and learning / creating / music playing classroom.
From the outside shelter is accessible through the sail, existing air ventilation is just prolonged to the surface, for the day lightning light tubes with mirror system are invented as well is initiated circling water system connecting the inside active world of submarine to fresh water resources of rain garden on the surface. This water as a fundamental source of life is collected and used for drinking, cooking, washing, watering and growing plants, creating energy.
Since the proposal is universal and not site specific the ground floor landscape is thus left open to interpretations, individual needs of spread locations of diverse construction pits in cities around the world.
