Animated Abeyance, Europan 2011, Dublin
In collaboration with DRMA
The proposal tries to patch morphologically disrupted space temporarily rather than heal permanently with temporary lives. Abeyant sites are conceptually open land or the allotment whether or not they are physically enclosed, in midst of developments and we see the opportunities to cultivate those open allotments culturally as a part of patch work. Transitory programmes to occupy cultural allotments are determined strategically based on prevailing adjacent land use and incorporating occupants’ typical pattern. Land uses are divided into four categories; commercial, residential, industrial and mixed use.
The main strategy for the site in North Strand is to re-simulate to impose the current situation pertaining to our urban scale response to the Vision 2030 masterplan in a smaller scale. Currently abeyant sites are not premeditated by the masterplan but due to the sudden economic crisis which was not foreseen when it was envisaged. The site strategy is taking this potential abrupt hibernation or adjournment into account and encompasses the phasing notion as a form of a buffer layer to react when it occurs. The current economic situation not only puts on hold the developments but inflow of people into Docklands. The phasing notion addresses and reflects on this fact and reacts adequately by providing a number of residential units by stages; first phase concentrates on making our site a focal point of North Strand community by creating commercial and cultural programmes to make it more attractive, then, this will catalyse an influx of people wanting to live in the area. A number of residential units will be provided afterwards as the second phase. Another benefit of phasing is that it will alleviate onerous financial burden by strategically responding to demand rather than supplying excess in the current economic climate.
