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SYRIA - THE
MAKING OF THE
FUTURE
FROM URBICIDE TO
THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE CITY
— VENEZIA / 45°26′23″N 12°19′55″E
SYRIA - THE
MAKING OF THE
FUTURE
FROM URBICIDE TO
THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE CITY
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia ,VE
Copyright
226 Syria
— 4 —
W.A .Ve. 201 7
—
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
SYR I A – TH E M A KIN G OF THE FUT URE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRIA - THE
MAKING OF THE
FUTURE
FROM URBICIDE TO
THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE CITY
—
ESSAYS
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 10 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
Stud y, Desi g n , C a re
—
Al ber to Ferlenga
Just knowing the city of Bosra — with its buildings and — Alberto Ferlenga is
its Roman structure still used by today’s inhabitants, the rector of Università
Iuav di Venezia since
proof of its unique vitality — or travelling (even if only October 2015. He
with the imagination) to the colonnades of Palmyra, was full professor of
Architectural Design at
or getting lost in the bazaar of Aleppo — with its sky- Iuav, after 12 years at
lights filtering the light of the sun and moon — make Università Federico II
in Naples. Founder and
you weep the misfortune of Syria and wish to help her. director of the Villard
Association he was
a guest professor in
Throughout the millennia, its urban civilisation has numerous European and
left behind traces that are not only precious heritage American universities:
of their country, but that are also extraordinary con- Delft, Miami, Clemson,
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
S. Juan de Puert Rico,
tributions to the whole world. Cities that were born and Lima. He is the au-
well before the Roman colonisation, and that sur- thor of numerous books:
the monographic work
vived well after its end; living cities and dead cities on Aldo Rossi, Dimitris
that both share the presence of ruins created by time, Pikionis, and Hans Van
der Laan (with P. Verde);
and rubble produced by war. The ruins of Damascus on Joze Plecnik’s work
and Aleppo at first, now wounded to death, and Saint in Ljubljana (with Sergio
Polano); the guide on
Simeon to follow, along with the other Byzantine cit- the Roman cities of
ies surrounding it: Apamea, Palmyra itself, and doz- northern Africa, and
ens of other settlements whose origins are rooted in numerous articles on
international journals.
the centuries. Cities that, in the pre-desertic scenery Editor of “Lotus
of Syria, appear like fragments of one single urban International” between
1981 and 1990, and of
form, the construction of which was brought forth by “Casabella” since 1996.
the best of Mediterranean and Asian cultures. Cities He was the curator of
numerous exhibitions:
in Syria did just limit themselves to building strong- Le città immaginate, 9
holds: their relationship with the surrounding territory progetti per 9 città (Tri-
ennale di Milano 1986),
has always been of a deep nature. The size of some Aldo Rossi (Centre Pom-
of the most important cities reaches the scale of the pidou, 1991, Triennale
whole landscape; the Greek and Roman colonnaded di Milano, 1999, Maxxi
2004), Calvino e le città
streets that characterise these cities — the plateie invisibili (Triennale di
and the decumani — go well beyond the conventional Milano 2002), Dimitris
Pikionis (Fondazione
size they have today.
— 11 —
Querini Stampalia, In Syria — place of transit and grand hub of transitional
Venezia, 1999), Hans
Van der Laan (Basilica routes — they transform into endless open monuments,
Palladiana, Vicenza, reducing the importance of forums or agoras in order
2000). He designed and
built numerous fittings, to confront themselves directly with mountains and val-
among which the Ital- leys. The ruins that remain of these plateie and decum-
ian Pavilion at the 5th
Mostra internazionale di
ani in Syria accentuate their original nature even more;
architettura della Bien- and so today, the martyrised roads of Palmyra tell us of
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 12 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
destroyed during a much more deadly world war than
the current one in Syria. As Italians, we have all the right
cards to make a useful contribution to Syrian recon-
struction. But what reconstruction should this be? And
what is at stake in Syria? Cities resuming their shapes
and the survival of archaeological remains are just the
tip of the iceberg of a much broader theme. In the clash
between the various factions fighting on the ground,
among rubble of buildings and ghosts of neighbour-
hoods, a complex identity is put up to chance; by los-
ing it, all forms of reconstruction would become purely
superficial and scenographic. An identity, or many iden-
tities that find their core meaning in the city and that
belong to us all; and to Italy in particular, whose history
is often intertwined with that of Syria, and whose land-
scape is nourished by the same relationship between
city and architecture. Iuav has found itself to face these
issues several times; and it is for this reason that mus-
tering international architectural culture, as a whole, to
reflect on them has a precise meaning and agenda. The
Venetian architecture school, as well as being one of
— 13 —
the universities that is most interested and attentive to
the formal aspects of the city, has also collaborated in
a long history of “reconstructions”. Draft projects for
the towns that were destroyed by the Vajont dam disas-
ter (1962) took place among Iuav’s walls. The com’era
dov’era method (already put to test in the restoration
of many Italian monuments destroyed during World
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
War II) was also put to test among these walls: by ap-
plying it to the case of Venzone area in Udine, heavily
damaged by the Friuli earthquake (1976), the Friulian
province was reborn and is today considered one of
the most beautiful villages in the region. Recompiling
communities destroyed by war or natural disasters is
not just a technical matter, but it implies a particular
knowledge and culture that few schools in the world
are able to produce.
— 14 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
toration of monuments, especially considering the fact
that Venice — city of the Charter for the Conservation
and Preservation of Monuments and Sites — is, in it-
self, a permanent construction site given the fragility of
its building fabric and the value of its monuments. We
may also add that many cases of reconstruction have
attributed Iuav with competence not only in respect of
material aspects but, above all, of intangible ones. But
what does this imply? We have said that Syria’s tragic
events do not only include the destruction of the city
and architectural heritage: they also include the loss
of the many identities that contributed to the particular
appeal of the country. Therefore, our challenge is that
of acknowledging the fact that reconstruction regards
not only stones but also memories, cultures, and ways
of living. And these needs are made evident not just
through the effects of the war, but they arise whenever
a historically dense site is hit by destructive events of
various kind. The theme is difficult to approach and un-
derstand. In fact, while damages to buildings are easy
to see (and can be resolved with known tested tech-
— 15 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
— 17 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
niques), it is much more complex to reconstruct a vast
network of other relationships that crumbles in time,
like walls but less evidently. Intervening in these places
is not only, or predominantly, a technical matter and it
cannot be addressed solely with the tools of engineer-
ing, geology, and economics. Only multiple points of
view and the ability to read deeper under the surface
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
fate of Beirut’s fake reconstruction?
— 19 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
— 21 —
Alb er to Fer leng a
S T U D Y, D E S I G N , C A R E
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Benno Alb recht
Urbicid e
—
B enno Albrecht
URBICIDE
Colombia, and Peru. He
they give up and simply make room for resignation, is the author of different
as Adorno says: “After the catastrophes that have books on sustain-
ability in architecture,
happened, and in view of the catastrophes to come, such as “Conservare
it would be cynical to say that a plan for a better il futuro”, “Il pensiero
della sostenibilità” in
world is manifested in history and unites it. No uni- architettura and “Africa
versal history leads from savagery to humanitarian- Sustainable Future”.
ism, but there is one leading from the slingshot to With Leonardo Benevolo,
he published “Le origini
the megaton bomb”2. dell’architettura and I
confini del paesaggio
umano”. He was the
One of the pressing topics in the field of civil commit- curator of exhibitions for
ment, and in the operational field of architecture, is La Triennale di Milano,
such as Esportare il
how to deal with the consequences of urbicides, the centro storico, with
deliberate violence against cities, their destruction, Anna Magrin, Africa
Big Change Big Chance,
and the intentional elimination of collective “memory and a section of
made of stone”. Today, war is fought in urban con- L’architettura del mondo,
texts and “urbicide is a form of genocide, the funda- with Alberto Ferlenga
and Marco Biraghi.
mentally illegitimate form of modern war in which a
civilian population as such is targeted for destruc-
tion by armed force”3.
— 23 —
1 — See Marco Ansaldo, We must reflect on the consequences of urbicides,
“Il Papa: La Terza guerra
mondiale è già iniziata”, which even involve countries that are distant from
La Repubblica, 18 Ago the epicentre of the destruction and concern the ac-
2014. Pope Francis de-
clares that “We have en- commodation of survivors and refugees, their return
tered a Third World War; to their country of origin, and the possible recon-
however, it is one that is
fought bit by bit, in small
struction of cities torn by the insanity of man. It is
chapters”. [translated by necessary to think of possible strategies for the reali-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
the author]
sation of refugee camps near the areas affected by
2 — Theodor Adorno, urbicides, and of ways to reconstruct the destroyed
“Negative dialectics”, cities and to necessarily preserve the stone heritage
translated by E.B.
Ashton, The Seabury and memory.
Press, New York, 1973,
pp.319-320.
The term urbicide has resonated4 in sociological
3 — Martin Shaw, “New thinking regarding the city thanks to the American
Wars of the city: Rela-
tionships of ‘Urbicide’, in
philosopher Marshall Berman, who described the ur-
cities, war and terrorism, ban degradation phenomena of South Bronx and its
towards an urban
geopolitics”, edited by
social consequences in 1981: “These stricken people
Stephen Graham, Black- belong to one of the largest shadow communities in
well Publishing, Oxford, the world, victims of a great crime without a name.
2004, p.153.
Let us give it a name now: urbicide, the murder of
3 — “Urbicide” is a term a city”5. The protagonist of this particular rurbicide
that has been used even
in the past. For example: is the Modernism of Robert Moses6, designer of
“not even a humanist The Cross Bronx Expressway; a clear criticism of the
could ignore the 1246
devastation and quasi-
Faustian aspects of modernity.
urbicide in Genoa” [trans-
lated by the author], in
La Società veneta per
It is the traumatic experience of modern war in Europe
imprese e costruzioni — after the dissolution of former Yugoslavia — that re-
pubbliche, 1872-1881, launches the term at a global level. The destruction of
Tipo-litografia A. Roberti,
Bassano,1881, pp.35-36. the Old Bridge of Mostar (Stari Most) on 9 November
Also in “History” of 1993, by part of the Bosnian-Croat forces, is a clear
Scott County, Iowa,
Brookhaven Press, La demonstration of the urbicide phenomenon7, becom-
Crosse,1882, p.316: “The ing a debate topic that finds place among architects
only reason that can be
assigned for this wilful
and architecture magazines8. It is also the prime ex-
attempt at urbicide is ample on which to exercise a reflection on the military
found in the fact that Mr.
Grant’s farm was two
and political significance of the deliberate destruction
miles nearer Rockingham of stone heritage and memory, and on the conscious
than Davenport”. annihilation of every form of urbanism.
— 24 —
Benno Alb recht
URBICIDE
under control it is paradoxically necessary to destroy 8 — “Il Ponte Vecchio di
Mostar è stato distrutto”,
them: “The Romans, in order to hold Capua, Carthage, “Spazio e Società”, n. 65,
and Numantia, dismantled them, and did not lose January-March 1994.
pp.62-63. Giancarlo
them. They wished to hold Greece as the Spartans De Carlo, “Per Mostar”,
held it, making it free and permitting its laws, and “Spazio e Società”, n. 77,
January-March 1997.
did not succeed. So to hold it they were compelled pp.6-9.
to dismantle many cities in the country, for in truth
there is no safe way to retain them otherwise than 9 — Xavier Bougarel,
“Yugoslav Wars: The Re-
by ruining them. And he who becomes master of a venge of the countryside
city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it, between sociological
reality and nationalist
may expect to be destroyed by it, for in rebellion it myth”, East European
has always the watchword of liberty and its ancient Quarterly, 33:2 June,
1999, p.157.
privileges as a rallying point, which neither time nor
benefits will ever cause it to forget. And whatever 10 — Martin Coward,
“Urbicide in Bosnia in
you may do or provide against, they never forget that cities, in war and terror-
name or their privileges unless they are disunited ism: Towards an urban
or dispersed, but at every chance they immediately geopolitics”, edited by
Stephen Graham, Black-
rally to them, as Pisa after the hundred years she had well Publishing, Oxford,
been held in bondage by the Florentines”11. 2004, p.166.
— 25 —
11 — Niccolò Machi- Only complete destruction can allow a new exist-
avelli, “The Prince, Chap-
ter V”, translated by W. ence, a new state of things, by preventing evolution
K. Marriott, J. M. Dent, and promoting revolution. The theory of destruction
London, 1948, p.37.
leads to a better world. For the anti-gradualist Sou-
12 — Émile Zola, “Germi- varine, in Émile Zola’s Germinal, any reasoning on fu-
nal”, edited by Raymond
N. MacKenzie, Hackett
turity is criminal because it affects pure and simple
Publishing, Indianapolis, destruction and hinders the path of revolution: “More
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
2011, pp.123-124.
stupidities! repeated Souvarine. Your Karl Marx now,
he still wants to let natural forces take their course,
right? No political upheaval, no conspiracies? Every-
thing done in the light of day, and the whole point is
to get a raise in wages… To hell with your so-called
natural evolution! Set fires to all four corners of the
cities, mow people down, destroy everything, and
when there’s not a damn thing left of this rotten
world, then maybe a better one can start to grow. Éti-
enne broke into a laugh. He didn’t pay any attention
to his comrade’s words, with his theory of wholesale
destruction that struck him as a pose”12.
— 26 —
Benno Alb recht
global war and atomic attacks. Smaller spaced out 15 — Ludwig Hilber-
communities, designed with attention to wind direc- seimer, “The nature of
cities: origin, growth,
tion, are less vulnerable to nuclear attacks and radio- and decline, pattern and
active fallouts15. form, planning prob-
lems”, Paul Theobaled &
Co, Chicago, 1955. See
Even natural disasters falling upon cities are, in some also Hilberseimer, “Cities
form, due to man’s ill behaviour. The debate that took and defense”, repub-
lished in Richard Pom-
place after the great earthquake in Lisbon, on 1 Novem-
URBICIDE
mer, David Spaeth and
ber (All Saints’ Day) 1755, saw Jean-Jacques Rous- Kevin Harrington, “In the
shadow of Mies: Ludwig
seau respond to Voltaire as follows: “Without leaving Hilberseimer: architect,
your Lisbon subject, concede, for example, that it was educator and urban plan-
ner”; with reminiscences
hardly nature who assembled there twenty-thousand by George E. Danforth
houses of six or seven stories. If the residents of this and selected writings of
Ludwig Hilberseimer, The
large city had been more evenly dispersed and less Art Institute of Chicago,
densely housed, the losses would have been fewer or Chicago; Rizzoli Interna-
perhaps none at all”16. Nature is not the one to blame. tional Publications, New
York, 1988.
It is Man who does not understand it, and does not
understand that living spread-out is more appropriate, 16 — Letter by Rousseau
to Voltaire on the Lisbon
and safer. The adequacy of living in this world is, in the disaster, 18 August 1756.
end, a responsibility of Man. J.A. Leigh, ed., “Cor-
respondence complète de
Jean Jacques Rousseau”,
Twentieth-century art is not only characterised by the translated by R. Spang,
Edition Garnier Freres,
avant-garde cult of the tabula rasa, by the aesthetics Geneva, 1967, pp.37-38.
of destruction — what Majakovsky called “nothing-
ness” (“I write nihil on anything done before”17) — or 17 — Renato Pog-
gioli, “Teoria dell’arte
by the Vorticist vision of Wyndham Lewis and of the d’avanguardia”, Il Mulino,
BLAST group. Bologna, 1962, p.77.
— 27 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Benno Alb recht
URBICIDE
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Benno Alb recht
URBICIDE
— 31 —
18 — Jaume Freixa, “Jo- Twentieth-century art presents a clear great icon that
sep Lluìs Sert”, Gustavo
Gili, Barcelona, 1979. is directly linked to a specific urbicide, to a promise
Josep M. Rovina, “José of redemption and reconstruction: Pablo Picasso’s
Luis Sert (1901-1983)”,
Mondadori Electa, Guernica is an integral part, along with Alexander Cal-
Milano, 2000. der’s Mercury fountain, of the Spain Pavilion designed
19 — Jose Luìs Sert,
by Josep Lluís Sert18 at the 1937 Paris exhibition. In
“Can our cities survive? his 1942 book, Can our Cities Survive19, Sert shows
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
An ABC of urban
problems, their analysis,
the modern possibilities of post-war reconstruction.
their solutions; based Reconstruction has actors that are all protagonists
on the proposals of Twentieth-century architecture and urban design,
formulated by the
CIAM”, Harvard Univer- from Corbusier to Perret, from Abercrombie to Gor-
sity Press, Cambridge; don Cullen, from Uzo Nishiyama to Kenzo Tange,
Oxford University Press,
London, 1942. from Rudolf Schwarz to Hans Scharoun, or the Italian
Piero Gazzola and Luigi Lorenzo Secchi.
20 — Lewis Mumford,
“The social foundations
of post-war building”. Lewis Mumford then expands the concept of recon-
Rebuilding Britain
series, No. 9, Faber and
struction: “In our anticipations of post-war planning
Faber, London, 1943 perhaps the most important thing to remember is
and in Lewis Mumford, that our task is not the simple one of rebuilding de-
“The condition of Man”,
Harcourt, Brace & Co., molished houses and ruined cities. If only the mate-
New York, 1944. [Italics rial shell of our society needed repair, our designs
in original]
might follow familiar patterns. But the fact is our
21 — Marc Augé, task is a far heavier one; it is of replacing an outworn
“Rovine e macerie. Il
senso del tempo”, Bol-
civilization. The question is not how much of the su-
lati Boringhieri, Torino, perstructure should be replaced, but how much the
2004, p.137. [translated
by the author]
foundations can be used for a new set of purposes
and for a radically different mode of life”20.
— 32 —
Benno Alb recht
The need for an operational revision of the notion of 24 — Marc Augé, “Rovine
intergenerational heritage, historical memory, and e macerie. Il senso del
tempo”, op.cit., p.135.
remembrance, is evident and necessary because in
the end, as Borges remembers: “Sólo una cosa no
hay. Es el olvido”23. The relationship that ruins have
with time is different from the relationship they have
with man: “The rubble accumulated by recent histo-
ry and the ruins created from the past do not resem-
URBICIDE
ble each another. There is a big difference between
the historical time of destruction, which reveals the
folly of history (the streets of Kabul or Beirut), and
pure time, time in ruin, the ruins of a time that has
lost history and that history has lost”24.
— 33 —
25 — Edward S. Casey, “Everywhere we turn we find places at issue with the
“Getting back into place:
Toward a renewed alienation and violence from which human beings
understanding of the have suffered so devastatingly in modern times. More
place-world”, Indiana
University Press, Bloom- often than we realise, the alienation is from (a given)
ington, 1993, p.xiv. place and the violence has been done to (some) place,
26 — Walter Firey, “Land
and not only to people in places. If it distinctively post-
use in central Boston”, modern to wish to return to place; this is so even if the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Harvard University
Press, Cambridge, 1947,
most promising patterns for the return are often of a
p.324. distinctively premodern inspiration”25.
27 — Fred Charles
Iklé, “The effect of war Reality shows us that thousands of people are no
destruction upon the longer able to return to their hometowns because
ecology of cities”, Social
Forces, Vol. 29, No. 4, they have been destroyed and demolished. Conse-
May 1951, p.390. quently (and oppositely), many refugee camps be-
28 — Ibidem p.391.
come permanent and tend to resemble new cities.
This huge contradiction between historical heritage,
broken memories of destroyed cities, and refugee
camps (temporary cities under precarious conditions
and without citizenship rights), presents the whole
sequence of tragedies based on urbicides.
— 34 —
Benno Alb recht
ity. One needs to see if there is a defence line, a “hu- 29 — Isaiah 61:4-5.
URBICIDE
reason, for Geddes, viewing the future (“foresight”)
was an important goal for a militant university: “The
university, if it is to be truly militant, must be affirma-
tive, selective, predictive. It must submit its doctrines
to the test, and not only of reasoned criticism but of
creative adventure in the practical world”30.
— 35 —
32 — Ibidem p.218. ticipate in the remaking of homes and villages, cities
33 — Ibidem pp.18-19. and countries devastated by the war, or dilapidated
from earlier causes: towards the re-education of in-
34 — Patrick Geddes
and Gilbert Slater, “Ideas dividuals, the reconstruction of places, and the re-
at war”, Williams & newal of social life, the militant university must give
Norgate, London, 1917,
pp.59-60.
its help; and this alike in social studies and social
action. And these, as far as may be, together”32.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
35 — Ibidem p.168.
— 36 —
Benno Alb recht
URBICIDE
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Benno Alb recht
URBICIDE
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Jacop o Galli
W.A.Ve. 2017:
exercises in humanistic resistance
—
Jacopo Galli
— 41 —
1 — Guillaume Sanson, definition. A place where Sunni and Shiite Muslims,
“Cartes et Tables de la
Geographie Ancienne Alawites, Kurds, Drussians, Ismaelites, Duodeci-
et Nouvelle ou Methode mans, Turkmens, Circassians, Greeks, Yarmouk Ba-
pour s’Instruire Avec fa-
cilite de la Geographie, et sin blacks, Orthodox Christians, Maronites, Catholics
Connoistre des Empires, of Syrian rites, Syriacs, Armenians, Romans, Yazids,
Monarchies, Royaumes,
Estats, Republiques, et
and Jews have lived (and live) in a polychrome mo-
Peuples”, Chez l’Autheur, saic, in a balance without conflict2.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Paris, 1697.
2 — Mirella Galletti, “Sto- If the world once was Syria, today it is Syria that is
ria della Siria contempo- the world: in a war that is consumed within the narrow
ranea. Popoli, istituzioni
e cultura”, Bompiani, boundaries of Skyes-Picot, but that reverberates on a
Milano, 2006. planetary scale. The Syrian conflict, local degenera-
3 — Stephen Graham, tion of the Arab Springs, is the first cosmopolitan war:
“Cities under siege, the the first low-intensity, mobile, permanent, unconven-
new military urbanism”,
Verso, London-New
tional, and timeless conflict. A war that is fought on a
York, 2010. large scale and which sees national and transnational
4 — Thomas Hippler,
armies and coalitions, terrorist groups, armed groups,
“Governing from the guerrilla formations, and ethnic, religious, political,
Sky, A global History of and ideological militias as contingent realities3: actors
Aerial Bombing”, Verso,
London-New York, 2014. that associate and dissociate themselves depending
on their immediate interests, on the global geopolitical
5 — Rupert Smith, The
Utility of Force, the Art situation and various ideological nuances, simultane-
of War in the Modern ously fighting on several fronts according to strategic
World, Allen Lane,
London, 2005.
factors of momentary interest. In this perspective,
weapons and battlefields undergo a process of radical
cosmopolitanisation4. New technological weapons,
new forms of local or global terrorism, online indoctri-
nations, regional and continental migratory processes,
media management and “spectacularisation” of terror,
manipulation of risk perception, and attempts to influ-
ence leaders and electoral bodies have all been added
to the remains of the industrial warfare (open-field bat-
tles and air bombardments).
— 42 —
Jacop o Galli
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Jacop o Galli
Anthony McGrew,
“Governing globalization:
new useful solutions for a small planet inhabited by
power, authority and “overlapping communities of fate”11. A cosmopolitan
global governance”, John experiment in democracy were problems of a spe-
Wiley & Sons, New York,
2002. cific area of the globe are studied and addressed by
groups of designers and students with radically dif-
12 — Ulrich Beck, “La
società cosmopolita. ferent life and work experiences. Only a small part
Prospettive dell’epoca of the groups selected by Università Iuav di Venezia
postnazionale”, Il Mulino,
Bologna, 2003. [trans-
to participate in the workshop is from the vast area
lated by the author] involved in the conflict or have had direct experience
in reconstruction processes: most of them only bring
their own work experiences to the Venetian round
table. The logic behind the choice of the working
groups was to find small signs of hope (however
fragmentary and geographically distant), disjointed
and seemingly insignificant projects, but that could
be able to propose original views on the reconstruc-
tion process within the W.A.Ve. 2017 - Syria the Mak-
ing of the Future experience. A choice that sees in
the sum of localisms an instance where “contextual
and cosmopolitan experiences, traditions, and plac-
es come together, come apart, connect, and detach;
a place where you can focus a cosmopolitan vison
able of understanding that, in a world of crisis and
danger, […] a new cosmopolitan realism becomes es-
sential to survive”12. Researching multiple points of
view was a first preparatory step of the workshop,
firmly believing in hybrid plurality as a comparison
value. The organisation opened a dialogue with 26
teaching groups, 8 Syrian tutors, and 15 experts, all
invited to conferences in order to propose a unique
— 46 —
Jacop o Galli
that, together with the discussions that led to the 16 — Aldo Rossi,
Venice Charter on Reconstruction, were the starting “L’architettura della città”,
— 47 —
16 — Aldo Rossi, Aldo Rossi, the book the illustrates “the complexity
“L’architettura della città”,
Marsilio, Padova, 1966. of urban culture made up of old traditions and living
feelings as well as unresolved aspirations”16.
17 — Marshall Bermann,
“All that is solid melts
into air, the experience “From ancient times to today, the experience of see-
of modernity”, Simon
& Schuster, New York,
ing your city in ruins is one of the dreadful primal
1982. scenes: this is urbicide”17. Marshall Bermann uses
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
18 — Dag Tuastad,
the term coined by science-fiction author Michael
“Neo-Orientalism and the Moorcock to criticise the modernisation process in
new barbarism thesis: the metropolitan area of New York that was led by
Aspects of symbolic vio-
lence in the Middle East Robert Moses in the 1960s. Urbicide as a condition
conflict(s)”, Third World of modernity; an experience that is rooted in ances-
Quarterly, 24:4, 2003.
tral urban culture, re-emerging in the contemporary
19 — Eyal Weizman, world thanks to disturbing technological and politi-
“The least of all pos-
sible evils humanitarian
cal developments. But if the destruction of inhabited
violence from Arendt centres was once given by the outbreak of barbaric
to Gaza”, Verso Books,
London, 2011.
assailants who saw the city as a loot of war, urbi-
cide today has become an act that is committed in
20 — Lam 1:1. the name of modernity. It is committed in order to
deny the cultural roots of the “other”, and affirm a
narrative that sees military urbanism as the last
frontier to stem a mass of new barbarians: primitive,
uncivilised, irrational, lazy, pathologic, and deviant.
In one word: anti-modern18. Today, the military inter-
prets urban environments as complex social fields,
saturated with pre-existing conflicts, and it uses the
welfare of the population as a military calculation
factor, making it possible for a utilitarian use of civil-
ian welfare as a weapon19. Barbarians, by now urban-
ised in a relentless global process, can be brought
back to civilisation only through a cathartic destruc-
tion that makes it possible to imagine and build a
new city, free from the weight of history; a city that is
silent and assimilated to pure economic logic, inca-
pable of expressing the vibrant vitality of its histori-
cal inhabitants: “how lonely sits the city that was full
of people”20.
— 48 —
Jacop o Galli
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
— 51 —
Jacop o Galli
— 52 —
Jacop o Galli
— 53 —
29 — Ibidem. through the processes he uses to achieve these
30 — Kwame Anthony forms. Coexistence can only be achieved through
Appiah, “Cosmopolit- the construction of cities and spaces that are ca-
ism ethics in a world of
strangers”, W. W. Norton pable of maximising the knowledge of the “other”,
& Company, New York, opening positive dialogues and shared narratives
2006.
because “the more we have to do one with the other,
31 — Salman Rushdie, the better we will understand each other”29. Spaces
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Imaginary homelands:
Essay and criticism,
of coexistence, which have been denied to Syrian
1991-1981”, Granta cities for too long, do not require the imperative
Books, London, 1991. search for shared values: they only require places
32 — Antonio Negri, where it is possible to start conversations that lead
“Michael Hardt, Empire”, to the establishment of a common practice of co-
Harvard University Press,
Cambridge, 2000. existence30. A necessarily hybrid practice that cel-
ebrates “impurity, intermingling, the transformation
33 — Ibidem.
that comes from new and unexpected combinations
of human beings, cultures, ideas, politics, movies,
songs. It rejoices in mongrelisation and fears the
absolutism of the Pure”31.
— 54 —
Jacop o Galli
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Jacop o Galli
— 58 —
Jacop o Galli
— 59 —
37 — Eric Hobsbawm, sign vision that transcends objects and imagines
Terence Ranger, “The
invention of tradition”, the reconstruction of the entire society by redefining
Cambridge University continuity links, even fictitious ones, with the past37.
Press, Cambridge, 1983.
This is a process that seeks cultural continuity with
38 — Benedetto Croce, the positive aspects of physical and immaterial herit-
“La storia come pensiero
e come azione”, Laterza,
age: a delicate and dangerous process that is also, at
Roma-Bari, 1938. the same time, necessary. Only a reading of the past
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
39 — Arjun Appadurai,
(and of the heritage that has reached us) that refers
“The past as a scarce to our present needs38, can allow us to exploit his-
resource”, Man New tory’s creative and productive force in a positive way.
Series, Vol. 16, No. 2,
1981. The past becomes a scarce but malleable resource:
against erratic manipulations and cancellations but
40 — Paul Morgan,
“Towards a develop- capable of hosting re-interpretations and re-appropri-
mental theory of place ations in order to ensure that “when changes occur,
attachment”, Journal of
environmental psychol-
it is not entirely at the cost of cultural continuity”39.
ogy, 30: 11–22, 2010.
— 60 —
Jacop o Galli
— 61 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 62 —
— 63 —
Jacop o Galli
— 64 —
— 65 —
Jacop o Galli
44 — Amin Maalouf,
“Orìgenes”, Grasset,
a side effect of progress42.
Paris, 2004.
Nasser Rabbat, Aga Khan Professor at MIT, passion-
45 — Ididem.
ately supported the need to start with an ethical re-
46 — Armando construction of the country and the entire region be-
Salvatore, “Islam and
the political discourse fore a physical one. Rebuilding the history of Syria
of modernity”, Reading and of the Arab world clearly showed how the obvi-
Garnet Publishing Ltd,
1999.
ous lack of morality in today’s conflict comes from
a long process of relativism and cultural exclusivity.
Starting from the irresolvable friction between ad-
herence and distance from Western principles that
affected post-colonial thought43, Arab thinkers have
often, unconsciously, proceeded to undermine the
universal values of freedom and democracy, some-
times reaching their complete negation and rein-
vention. Just as what happens for Amin Maalouf’s
main character in Orìgenes – who lives in a small
village on the Lebanon-Syrian border and scandal-
ises the entire community by walking about with his
head not covered, neither with an Eastern turban or
a European hat –, the search for sincerely universal
ethics (a synthesis between discordant instances44,
capable of “breathing light Levantine wisdom into
the principles proposed by the West”45) can cause
unrepairable fractures. Only a new “Al-Nahda”46 – a
collective awakening that fosters reconstruction on
universal human rights – can allow for reconstruc-
tion to fight abandonment, capitalist commodifica-
tion, bureaucratic calcification, and extremist fanat-
icism, simultaneously and on different fronts.
— 66 —
Jacop o Galli
— 67 —
50 — Mark Mazower, as a guarantee for individuals on the global scenario.
“Governing the World:
the history of an idea”, We are in search of a world government (necessary
Allen Lane, London, today and inevitable tomorrow) that does not go
2012.
through military subjugation or nameless technology
51 — Guillaume Apol- but through a sharing of values: ethics that turn into
linaire, “To Italy”, in
Calligrammes, translated
governance50. This effort cannot be limited to court-
by Anne Hyde Greet, rooms or commissions for truth and reconciliation,
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
University of California
Press, Berkley, 1980.
but it must be extended to the construction of cos-
mopolitan places capable of representing and pro-
52 — Wisława Szymbor- moting virtuous behaviour at the same time.
ska, “The end and the
beginning in miracle
fair: selected poems of W.A.Ve. 2017 - Syria the Making of the Future is un-
Wisława Szymborska”,
translated by Joanna doubtedly the beginning of a journey that Università
Trzeciak, W. W. Norton Iuav di Venezia intends to address in order to identify
and Company Inc., New
York, 2001.
methods and tools for the hopefully imminent recon-
struction process. A debate, ethical before material,
was opened and saw the creative and pro-active ef-
fort of 1,500 students, assistants, and professors in
serving a country that is on its knees. An initiative that
fights the cancellation of signs that have reached us
through the centuries, and challenges our ability to
take part in the long relay between past and future
generations. W.A.Ve. 2017 - Syria the Making of the
Future is an act of humanistic resistance that has re-
sponded to horror not with guilty silence or compas-
sionate pietism, but with joyful creativity. It was an
effort in optimism because, as Guillaume Apollinaire
reminds us: “I have nothing in common with the Huns
joyless pride and I know how to laugh”51.
— 68 —
Jacop o Galli
— 69 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 70 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
Syria is a place that everybody thinks they know, and — Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj
indeed, as most Syrians have discovered, know very is a consultant on urban
planning, development,
little about. A place that is very different from one and local governance.
end to the other: culturally, economically, socially, po- He is a senior coordina-
tor of the Syria Project
litically; and the conflicts over the last few years have at the Common Space
only made these differences more visible. They have
— 71 —
and 50,000. Qudssaya was one of those towns on
the periphery of a major capital, coming to com-
prise around 40,000 people. Then, at some point,
the government decided that they were going to de-
velop a new neighbourhood around this old town,
and build “another” Qudssaya, on the hills around it,
to house government employees. That small town
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 72 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 73 —
was a city of trade and industry: all the agricultural
areas around the north of Syria sold their services in
Aleppo. Aleppo only had 25% of the GDP in govern-
ment spending; the rest was private. The other cit-
ies in Syria are different, and each one of them has
a different economy and social structure. One thing
you notice is that parts of the country, to the East,
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 74 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 75 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 76 —
— 77 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 78 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 79 —
also means that the healing process is going to begin
from a different place in every case. Part of your job
as architect and planners is to understand where the
healing will begin. Do not assume that because you
now know something about Syria you are able to un-
derstand it. You are going to need to understand what
happened in each specific place you will work on.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 80 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 81 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 82 —
— 83 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 84 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 85 —
People do not go back to villages after wars; they do
not go from living in the city to living in rural areas.
You are going to have to think of cities in the fu-
ture; and cities are where the resilience is, cities are
where people have states, here services function
better than other areas. So the question we need to
ask ourselves now is: how do we deal with the peo-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 86 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 87 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 88 —
— 89 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 90 —
— 91 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 92 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 93 —
with the armed actors, or with the governor: you are
going to have to figure out, for each city, how you are
going to bring back some sort of a national “middle
ground”. That is going to be a major task.
— 94 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 95 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 96 —
— 97 —
Ab dulaziz Hallaj
— 98 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 99 —
somebody like me – from UNHCR, where I have spent
most of my career on the high commission for the
refugees (the NGOs). What does that mean? There
are 100 people, maybe 120, people in this project.
This means that - because you are depending on me,
because you are living in a refugee camp – you are
depending on somebody who gives you the right to
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 10 0 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 10 1 —
Only 22,500,000 fall under the refugee mandate.
What about all the others? They are accounted as
economic migrants, as people who should not be
moving. That is how we often perceive them.
— 10 2 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 10 3 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 10 4 —
— 10 5 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 10 6 —
— 10 7 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 10 8 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
It is with some pride that I can say that, after our col-
lective work, it took one year not to have a single oth-
er violent demonstration in the camp anymore. No
demonstrations, no more tear gas. What happened?
It was a complete shift of paradigm, a complete shift
in our way of looking at the people. I started to call
myself the Mayor: I was not the manager or the boss
anymore. I became the Mayor. I look at what citi-
zens in new cities worry about. One of the lessons I
learned at the UN, in one of the many training cours-
es, was to always talk to the women at the well. They
will tell you how things really are. We talked to the
people who had little voice, who did not push them-
selves in front of everybody else. We began under-
standing that we had to be “with” the people, to walk
among them. So I walked around like a Mayor going
— 10 9 —
through his city, and my staff became responsible for
the twelve districts we had divided the camp into.
We had revised the governance structure in order to
make the people of the various districts responsible
for their own affairs.
— 110 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 111 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 112 —
— 113 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 114 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 115 —
for Kenya. That night, they became refugees. That
night I became a refugee helper. I built a refugee
“storage” facility somewhere in the Turkana region, in
north-western Kenya, not knowing yet what it meant.
Today, that camp is known as Kakuma Camp. I was
putting the first tents into the ground, chasing some
local people away and bribing them with food so that
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 116 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 117 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 118 —
— 119 —
Kilian K leinschmidt
— 12 0 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
including the University
pening which is deeply disturbing. Analysis is only of Montréal, Université
possible if we put aside the pain surging at each de- du Québec à Montréal
struction, and if we avoid the partisan hardening that and École Nationale Su-
périeure d’architecture
invites violent retaliation. de Paris-La Villette,
as well as serving as
researcher at Kenchiku
Deliberate destructions manifest a common char- Kenkyusho (Building
acter: it is not as much the destroyed object that is Research Institute, To-
kyo, Japan) and Groupe
aimed at by the operation, but something else. This de Recherché Sémio
may be the site occupied by the object, or the func- Linguistiques (École
des hautes études
tion it fulfills, or at times the actors who use it or en sciences sociales,
value it. The monument is not destroyed for itself, Paris, France). He is the
but for something that is not itself. Who would hate cofounder of the Inter-
national Association for
stones? nobody hates a stone for what it is. Destruc- the Semiotics of Space,
tors aim at what it represents, and this is a seman- and the founder of Dar
Hammad, a research
tic mechanism. It follows that the tools of semiot- centre in Aleppo, Syria,
ics2 are pertinent to the interpretation of these non dedicated to scientific
research on northern
verbal manifestations. When a verbal message ac- Syria while promoting
companies destruction, a proposed interpretation is cultural exchange with
Syrian researchers and
available. But the successive facts quite often force intellectuals.
doubt upon the veracity of such declarations. Which
brings us back to the absence of interpretation and
imposes the necessity of an interpretive method.
We need analytical. The present (shortened) essay
proposes a semiotic approach, explicited in order to
— 12 1 —
1 — Begun in 2011, it facilitate its reuse elsewhere. The text is organised
is still continuing in
September 2017, date of by logical relations between the analytical concepts
redaction. used, not by a timeline nor by space. Some preci-
2 — For all terms and sions are needed before we describe the forms of
concepts of semiotics heritage destruction.
metalanguage, check in
the dictionnary written
by Greimas & Courtés, Semantic description and moral judgement
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
1983.
— 12 2 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
had a special fund for
rimonial object, in particular into what makes it dif- the collection of both
types of information,
ferent from other objects. The UNESCO convention and the hiring of profes-
for world heritage (1972) refers to a cultural heritage sional archaeologists
of universal value (Art.1 § 1), wording that followed for identification, analy-
sis and comment. All
reference to the heritage of mankind “[…] Consider- these agencies publish
ing that parts of the cultural or natural heritage are online.
— 12 3 —
4 — cfr. M. Hammad, “La notion of patrimony, that corresponds to the english
Succession”, 2016.
word heritage, presupposes a subject anterior to the
subject actually in conjunction with the meant herit-
age4. It is this anterior subject who transmitted the
said object to the posterior subject who considers it
as heritage. Heritage is only what has been transmit-
ted by an ancestor, accepted and admitted by a pos-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 12 4 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
description shall be syntactic, and we shall order the
analysed cases by their degree of semantic complex-
ity, i.e. by the number of actantial positions and by the
relations they entertain. In a destructive sequence that
happened, the recurring problem is the identification of
the destroying subject. When this is established, the
following question is its motivation. There are certainly
unintentional destructions, qualified as collateral, but
the number of deliberate destructions is sufficient to
occupy us. Often, the intent of the destroyer is not estb-
lished but results from an attribution. A complete nar-
rative chain, that allows to read events starting from
their end, is liable to dispell ambiguity.
— 12 5 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 12 6 —
— 12 7 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
- A monument is destroyed because the person who
built it is abhorred for some reason (foreign romans
for the city of Palmyra; shiite obedience for judge Ibn
al-Haššāb who coordinated the erection of Aleppo
Great Mosque minaret; ottoman wâli for the Madra-
sat Husrofiyat in Aleppo).
- A monument is destroyed because the person hon-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 12 8 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
tive subject by projects that stabilize its trajectory in
time. Between past and future, cumulative memory
plays a major role.
— 12 9 —
6 — cfr. M. Hammad for the other” by the Islamic State when it destroyed
“Semantics of destruc-
tion”, in “Urbicide II”, the Grand Arch and the Tetrakionion in Palmyra6. Not
AUB, 2017, to press. a value for the subject of action, but recognized by the
subject as a value for the anti-subject.
— 13 0 —
Manar Hammad
that slaves figure in first place among the categories 7 — cfr. J. Teixidor, “Tarif
de Palmyre”, 1983.
of goods liable to pay a tax on Palmyra’s customs
tariff7. The question of human patrimony is no more
worded in such terms, but it is certain that during
war, from a state’s point of view, human capital has
an economical value: workpower, know-how, organi-
sational skills, culture and language. Nevertheless,
the dominant discourse today that privileges human
patrimony tends to consider only religious appar-
tenances, operating sectarian distinctions that divide
the population in rival subgroups. The talk is no more
about population but about fractions. In opposition,
the privilege givent to an archaeological heritage
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
perspective tends, with its accumulation of succes-
sive human groups on a single territory, to produce
a syncretic unifying semantic effect. Moreover, the
consideration of syntactic relations between men
and heritage produces a totalizing semantic effect.
— 13 1 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 13 2 —
— 13 3 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 13 4 —
— 13 5 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
8 — cfr. M. Hammad,
op. cit.
2. Forms of patrimonial destruction
— 13 6 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
Arch, to the Tetrakionion and to the antique theater.
In the absence of a pertinent religious reason, no
justificatory declaration was published. Analysis al-
lows to extract the underlying political and military
reasons. We shall not deal here with such complex
cases, and we shall make a selection of simpler
syntactic situations.
— 13 7 —
Such a complex sequence happened in Aleppo, on
the southern border of the citadel. The process is
still evolving and may change character with future
decisions. In almost a year, more than ten neighbor-
ing buildings were destroyed, all by the same pro-
cess: an underground tunnel was quarried in order
to reach under the building, a large quantity of ex-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 13 8 —
Manar Hammad
function fulfilled by the building does not respond any 9 — cfr. M. Hammad,
“La privatisation de
more to the needs of a given subject, he has another l’espace”, 1998.
need to satisfy. The change is relative to the function,
10 — cfr. M. Hammad,
not to the object. In certain circumstances, it is pos- “La sémiotisation de
sible to reuse a building without destroying it, if it is l’espace”, 2013.
compatible with the new function. But when the form
is incompatible with the projected function, or if the
subject is indifferent towards the building itself, it is
possible to reuse its place after demolition. What ap-
pears to have a value in this second case is not the
building in its architectural configuration, but its place,
positioned in a wider economic or military space. In
other words, the use reveals two aspects of the monu-
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
ment, or two ways of considering it: following a per-
spective internal to the building (action in the archi-
tectural morphology, this being endowed with modal
manipulatory investments9); following a perspective
external to the building (action that profits from the
situation or place in relation to other places in town or
in the area). We have already identified both of those
two mechanisms in the semiotics of space10, in cases
unconnected to patrimonial destruction. It is here a lo-
cal manifestation of a general phenomenon.
— 13 9 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 14 0 —
— 14 1 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
11 — cfr. M. Hammad, by the object’s form, what entails often modifications
“Bel/Palmyra hom-
mage”, 2016. or alterations to the form, by addition, substraction ou
division of space. Palmyra’s site offers two examples
12 — cfr. M. Hammad,
“Palmyre, transforma- of this sort of prejudice to heritage, before the inter-
tions urbaines”, 2010. vention of archaeologists. The temenos of Bel sanc-
tuary had been invested since the twelfth century11,
by houses, while the temple’s cella was transformed
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 14 2 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
dent rooms in Madrasat Khusrofiyat (built by master
Sinan) are said to have served as barracks.
— 14 3 —
13 — For the difference a relation of contradiction13 between patrimonial and
between contrariety and
contradiction relations, military values. This is why international conventions
see Greimas & Courtés, forbid the military use of patrimonial buildings, even
1983.
for a brief action.
— 14 4 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
obliterating the underlying archaeological remains,
digging canalisations that disturbed the ancient stra-
ta, and importing the circulation of a great number of
viewers indifferent to the cognitive value of the place.
The living cities of Aleppo and Damascus hide a large
part of their past under the present constructions,
what pertains to Form 4, while we cannot tell with
precision when the process started and where. With
the recent destructions, a part of the archaeological
underground is exposed, as it happened recently in
Beirut. This last case showed that the exposed spac-
es are coveted by investors coming from abroad,
whose financial interests do not coincide with local
interests. Before reconstruction, an archaeological
excavation is in need, as it is advisable to preserve
what is endowed with a particular patrimonial value.
— 14 5 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 14 6 —
— 14 7 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
lative memory that integrates it in a chain of inital
production (subject who built the object) and suces-
sorial transmission (ancestors bequeathing heritage).
Another sort of cognitive value, inscribed in a change
of perspective, may be extracted from an archaeologi-
cal site that encloses, within accumulated detrictic
deposits, the remains of one or more monuments. If
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 14 8 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
poses, for subject S2, a scientific competence that
enables him to interpret material traces in order to
extract information on the societies that succeeded
each other on site. If objects O1 deliver information
on the lost material culture, the layers O2 deliver in-
formation on the material and immaterial culture that
enclosed them. The destruction of archaeological
sites affects the remains of material an immaterial
culture. In this perspective, disturbance of archaeo-
logical strata is tantamount to cognitive destruction,
be it voluntary or involuntary. What brings us back to
the forms of patrimonial destruction.
— 14 9 —
14 — The romans used resources. A permit allows a named citizen to work
to levy a tax of one-
quarter. on a named site in view of extracting antiquities liable
to be sold. The permit stipulates that the beneficiary
must pay to the Islamic State one-fifth of his findings
in the underground. This one-fifth part or Khums con-
forms with a tradition going back to the foundation of
the first islamic state14 by the Prophet Muhammad in
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 15 0 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
circuit, at market price.
— 15 1 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 15 2 —
— 15 3 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
to ignorance these ancient destructions. What puts in
evidence the necessity of a scientific competence for
the cognitive subject in order to identify the valued pat-
rimonial object.
— 15 4 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
difference between crude bricks standing in place
(making an antique architecture) from fallen crude
bricks, that were not anymore in place. Know how to
make the difference between O1 objects and O2 ob-
jects constitutes the cognitive competence of the
excavator in crude earth.
— 15 5 —
century, Walter Andrae took off the parthian strata of
Assur city (after drawing them) in order to reach the
assyrian levels of the site, that had more interest for
him. In Baalbek, Collart and Coupel took off the re-
mains of the byzantine basilica (that encumbered the
large staircase of Baal-Jupiter cella) in order to restore
the temenos of the antique temple, with its great altar
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 15 6 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
subject’s competence
— 15 7 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 15 8 —
— 15 9 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 0 —
— 16 1 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
verted to a mediate subject, i.e. the authority having
emitted the order. It is the only one to want, the infe-
rior ranks must. What remains disputable in regard to
circumstances and values involved. In a juridical or
moral perspective, the will implies the responsibility
of the subject, while the involuntary character dispels
his responsibility. All discussions about the voluntary
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 2 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
of Damascus16, a similar mausoleum was destroyed
with sledge-hammers. In Tabqa17 on the Euphrates, a
number of tombs in a recent active cemetary were de-
stroyed with sledge-hammers and levelled to ground.
In Palmyra18, in june 2015, two islamic mausolea
were destroyed. In the palmgrove, the mausoleum of
Chams-ed-Din Chakas, and the mausoleum of Mu-
hammad bin Ali on a hill north-west out of city, were
levelled by explosive charges. Photographs show the
deliberate character of operations. Nevertheless, justi-
fication by theological reasons (tombs must stay near
the ground) install a religious obligation-to-do: a good
muslem must destroy such monuments. Considering
that the source of obligation is divine, the act is said
just and legitimate. The subject realizing it is in no way
a culprit, he is even meritorious in doing it.
— 16 3 —
19 — cfr. M. Hammad, antagonism between two collective subjects is thus
“Urbicide II”, AUB, 2017,
in press. identified at the level of virtualizing modalities. Two
perspectives are opposed, what is valued by the first
20 — Ibidem.
is undervalued by the other19.
— 16 4 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
his enemies. It fulfills a function fundamental for the
subject in his universe.
— 16 5 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 6 —
— 16 7 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
21 — Ibidem. the regime in the syrian framework, or between the
22 — Theater and Islamic State and the West in a wider international
Theory derive from framework21.
Greek Thea = see, view,
speculate, contemplate.
It is the existence of such a framework, theatrical in
nature22, that exacts visible objects to destroy and
selects heritage objects as target because they are
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 8 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
Reasoned analysis puts aside partisan and passion-
ate perspectives. Syntactic descriptions aim towards
understanding, and we hope to have approached
such results through the description of the principal
mechanisms. In this way, we hope to have produced
a better understanding of patrimonial objects. The
cognitive dimension, where additive memory takes
charge of the succession of events and actors, plays
a major role in building heritage, while the pragmatic
dimension characterizes non patrimonial buildings.
— 16 9 —
exterior actors seem to loom behind the scene. We
may hope for new lights when the identity of axterior
actors, and of their interests, would be unveiled. If
there has been so many patrimonial monuments de-
stroyed, it is because a part of action was decided
outside, by actors that had no patrimonial relation
with what has been destroyed.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 17 0 —
Manar Hammad
B ibliograph y
—
APSA, <www.vatican.va/roman_curia/uffici/apsa/index_it.htm>
ASOR weekly reports, <www.asor-syrianheritage.org/weekly-reports/>
Antiquities Coalition, “Culture in crisis”, Johns Hopkins School of Ad-
vanced International Studies, 2017.
Benveniste É., “Le vocabulaire des institutions indo-européennes”, 2 vol-
umes, Éditions de Minuit, Paris, 1969.
Boissière T., David J. C., “Guerre contre l’État, guerre contre la ville.
Alep otage des combats en Syrie”, in “Moyen-Orient 24”, Décembre
2014, pp. 84-91.
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
Boissière T., David J. C., “La destruction du patrimoine culturel à Alep: ba-
nalité d’un fait de guerre?”, in “Confluences Méditerranée 89”, L’Harmattan,
Paris, 2014, pp. 163-171.
Bourdieu P., “Les héritiers: les étudiants et la culture”, Minuit, Paris,
1964, p. 192.
Bourdieu P., Passeron J.C., “La reproduction: éléments pour une théorie du
système d’enseignement”, Minuit, Paris, 1970, p. 282.
David J.C., “Décrire la ville, écrire le patrimoine”, in “Revue des Mondes Mu-
sulmans et de la Méditerranée 139”, Aix-en Provence, 2016, pp. 193-204.
Dumézil G., “Mythes et dieux des indo-européens”, Flammarion, 2011,
Paris, 1968.
Elisséeff N., “Nur ad Din. Un grand prince musulman en Syrie au temps
des croisades (511-569 H/ 118-1174)”, 3 vol., Institut Français de Damas,
Damas, 1967.
Greimas A.J., “Sémantique structurale”, Larousse, Paris, 1967.
Greimas A.J., “Du sens”, Seuil, Paris, 1971.
Greimas & Courtés, “Sémiotique, dictionnaire raisonné des sciences du
langage”, Hachette, Paris, 1979.
Greimas & Courtés, “Semiotics and Language: An Analytical Dictionary”,
Indiana University Press, Bloomington, 1983.
Hammad M., “La privatisation de l’espace”, in “Actes Sémiotiques”, Li-
moges, 1998.
Hammad M., “Lire l’espace, comprendre l’architecture”, Geuthner,
Paris, 2006.
— 17 1 —
Hammad M., “Palmyre, transformations urbaines”, Geuthner, Paris, 2010.
Hammad M., “La sémiotisation de l’espace”, in “Actes Sémiotiques 116”,
Limoges, 2013.
Hammad M., “Sémiotiser l’espace, interpréter archéologie et architecture”,
Geuthner, Paris, 2013.
Hammad M., “Bel/Palmyra, hommage”, Geuthner, Paris, 2016.
Hammad M., “La Succession”, in “Semiotica”, 2016.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 17 2 —
— 17 3 —
Manar Hammad
S E M A N T I C S O F PAT R I M O N I A L D E S T R U C T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 17 4 —
Nasser Rab b at
Syria today is cruelly punished for its heroic yet naïve — Nasser Rabbat is the
uprising of 2011 by an intransigent sectarian regime Aga Khan Professor
and the Director of the
and its scheming allies fighting against a hodge-
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
Aga Khan Program for
podge of brutal fundamentalist movements backed Islamic Architecture at
MIT. An architect and a
by obscurantist states, all operating under the um- historian, his scholarly
brellas of the two superpowers, the US and Russia, interests include the his-
tory and historiography
coldly settling their differences at the expense of Syr- of Islamic architecture,
ia and its people. Indeed, the country has paid dearly art and culture, urban
history, and post-coloni-
in the form of hundreds of thousands dead and mil- al criticism. He teaches
lions injured, maimed, imprisoned, or forced to im- lecture courses on
migrate. No city, village, or historic site has been various facets of Islamic
architecture, and holds
left untouched, and many have sustained so heavy a seminars on the history
damage that they are either lost for good or they will of Islamic urbanism and
contemporary cities,
take the work of a generation or two to restore. This orientalism, historiog-
has been thus far the most violent and bloody catas- raphy, and the issue of
meaning in architecture.
trophe of our young twenty-first century. In his research and
teaching, he presents
architecture in ways that
Yet, despite the mounting despair about the situation illuminate its interaction
today, it is vital to counter and debunk the forces of with culture and society,
destruction and erasure of memory. After all, Syria has stressing the role of hu-
man agency in shaping
managed through its long history to nurture a unique that interplay.
homeland where people of diverse religious, ethnic,
and cultural background lived together and exchanged
views, beliefs, and art and architecture. The mate-
rial heritage of Syria, celebrated, neglected, battered,
bombed, and wantonly or collaterally destroyed, still
reveals the cultural continuity that has marked the
country from Late Antiquity to the very recent past.
— 17 5 —
and on to a truncated modern Syria, the country has
accumulated many interrelated cultural and religious
traditions. Some flourished for a long time and radi-
ated their influence near and far. Others shone bright-
ly for a brief moment before migrating or disappear-
ing, leaving behind striking architectural traces. Still
others inhabited small niches in the land and evolved
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 17 6 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
in the late nineteenth century, when some Syrian mi-
norities were pushed to immigrate to the New World
because of that same Ottoman collapse.
— 17 7 —
ries of military coups, the last of which was in 1970
when General Hafez al-Assad toppled his comrades
of the Baath Party and seized power. Al-Assad man-
aged to rule Syria singlehandedly for 30 years against
great odds. This was achieved through a mixture of
oppression, patronage of select social groups, and a
widespread cult of personality that elevated him to
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 17 8 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
cies are attempting, and after the wars wind down, as
many more agencies are planning. But it is necessary
in order to set the issues of reconstruction, preser-
vation, rehabilitation, and resettling in their proper
historical and political contexts lest the ethics that
needs to guide them is reduced to a set of boxes to
be checked on a form as part of the routine of in-
tervention. In fact, any discussion of these issues is
per force predicated on the historical, political, and
ideological trajectories that led to the destruction in
the first place and on the politics of identity that pre-
pared the soil for and fueled those events, and this is
what happened in Syria.
— 17 9 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 0 —
— 18 1 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
on the ground. Yet, the selectivity of the destruction,
the indifference, and sometime the cheer approval,
of a large percentage of the people whose presumed
country is being destroyed, and the complicity of all
political powers active in Syria in these heinous acts
suggest that not only the ethics of reconstruction
need to be brought up and enforced in any future in-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 2 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
tenders with different agendas.
— 18 3 —
culture. When Arab nationalists who studied in Eu-
rope rendered them in Arabic, they used Arabic terms
that had different evolutionary histories and, conse-
quently, different semantic fields. As such, the trans-
lations had to function either as approximations, or
they had to be accompanied by a full assimilation
of the schools of thoughts, the institutions, and the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 4 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
and precedents to the values they were borrowing di-
rectly from European political philosophy. They, for
instance, used as their motto: wahda, huriyya, ishtiraki-
yya (Unity, Liberty, and Socialism) (notice the echo of
the French Revolution’s tripartite motto), but they fo-
cused their interpretation of the three principles on the
collective level. Their huriyya in fact is not the freedom
of the individual but the liberation of the Arab world
from colonial rule. Their unity was a straightforward
union of the Arab countries, and their socialism was
an ill-managed form of state socialism.
— 18 5 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 6 —
— 18 7 —
Nasser Rab b at
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S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 18 8 —
— 18 9 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
More recently, concepts such as hakimiyyah (divine
governance), imara (leadership), khilafa (supreme
rule) and the Shi‘ite concept of Wilayat al-Faqih (Su-
preme Jurist Leadership) have entered the political
domain in the Arab World in general and more di-
rectly Syria in the last few years. Though these con-
cepts are still debated among partisans of Islamist
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 19 0 —
Nasser Rab b at
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tion had flooded the cities, especially those coming
from the Euphrates basin, suffering from protract-
ed drought and governmental neglect. The cities
swelled uncontrollably and at an unprecedented
rate to house the bursting poor population. This was
most evident in the old urban cores of the historic cit-
ies, especially Damascus and Aleppo, as well as the
minimally planned and badly serviced developments
that grew up on the periphery, which the Egyptians
name with the very expressive name, ‘Ashwa’iyyat, or
haphazard settlements. The dismal living conditions
of the vast majority of these new urban dwellers were
at the root of the spread of angry Islamist ideologies
over the years that culminated in the disastrous re-
volt of 1982, brutally crushed by the Assad regime,
and the more disastrous militarization of the 2011
revolution, which has strongly contributed to Syria’s
ongoing destruction.
— 19 1 —
into an international proxy war in which every single
regional and international power has chosen its play-
ers on the ground and engaged in the civil sectarian
war that the revolution has devolved into. Suffice it to
say that the magnitude of destruction that we have
witnessed in the last six years is unprecedented and
it has forced new facts on the ground for anyone who
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 19 2 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
to hegemonial ideologies for many years. I would still
like to take my queue in proposing an approach to the
broad problem of reconstruction from the purpose
and impulse of the initial protests of the Arab Spring:
a freer political system in which every voice has the
right to be heard and the right to be adopted and every
religious, ethnic, and linguistic community and social
class has a place in the tapestry of nationalism.
— 19 3 —
It must have become obvious by now that for the
post-war reconstruction, I am ultimately advocating
the formulation of a right to decent living that builds
upon the thinking that has evolved in the last dec-
ade on the right to the city: an inclusive and egalitar-
ian discourse that engages beside the professional
and technical aspects of its subject matter a set of
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 19 4 —
— 19 5 —
Nasser Rab b at
E T H I C S O F I N T E R V E N T I O N : F R A M I N G T H E D E B AT E O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N I N S Y R I A
SYRIA - THE
MAKING OF THE
FUTURE
FROM URBICIDE TO
THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE CITY
—
ATLAS
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 19 8 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
Introduction
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
graduate studies in the
urban morphology specificities and their scales. The UK by the Ministry of High
added factor is the damage assessment of the urban Education in Syria. She
fabric: as a direct result of the war, like the complete completed her master
degree in Advanced Archi-
or partial destruction of towns and villages in north- tectural Design at Oxford
ern and north-eastern Syria (Aleppo, Al-Raqqa, Ariha, Brooks University and was
awarded MArch degree
etc.); or as an indirect result of the war, like the physi- with distinction in 2012.
cal degradation of neighbourhoods due to lack of She worked as a tutor in
the architectural design
maintenance (Al-Malek Faysal and Sarouja districts studio in both Damascus
in Damascus). After all, we think of reconstruction University and The
International University of
as a global vision at territorial levels: it is not to be Science and Technology
reviewed on a case-by-case basis. in Syria. During her aca-
demic and professional
experience, she won
We assume that the various chosen cases cannot several awards including
reflect or include the different issues of all Syrian a certificate of distinctive
achievements by the
neighbourhoods. Summarising this complex mix of Ministry of Economy in
geographical, social, and spatial diversity in the cha- Syria and second place at
Genius-Europe graduate
os of the Syrian conflict is almost an impossible task. competition organised by
There are inevitable facts that we need to underline IFIA in Budapest, in 2009.
regarding social injustice, land mismanagement, and
— M. Wesam Al Asali is
the masking of truth. Therefore, in this article, we an architect and a build-
will introduce main urban issues through the reality ing apprentice. He is a
of four different Syrian cities and neighbourhoods. PhD candidate in the Cen-
tre for Natural Material In-
They share the same arguments but their contexts novation at the University
— 19 9 —
of Cambridge where he and results are quite different from each other.
studies craft and tradition
in building practice of Through these four case studies, we will try to shed
thin-tile vaulting and its some light on the concepts of reconstruction that,
potential in reconstruc-
tion. He graduated in we think, extend beyond the economic and urban
2007 from Damascus rush to rebuild. The urban dimension of the crisis is
University and studied
MPhil in architecture
rooted in Syrian society well before 2011. Planning
and construction mechanisms have always been
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 200 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
Through the eyes of the different foreign speakers, — Born in 1984 in Aleppo,
Syria, Fares Al-Saleh was
through the monographic and cartographic docu- educated at the Univer-
ments, and through abstract statistical information, sity of Aleppo where he
obtained his Architecture
I was able to acquire some distance from a city in Bachelor from the Faculty
which I have lived and which I know very well. I devel- of Architecture in 2009.
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
oped an inverse mechanism that took me from the In 2011, Fares accepted
a teaching position at
subjective details of everyday life to a detached point Ittihad Private University
of view through the filter of documents. I will try to (IPU) in Syria as a tutor,
until co-founding MODE
ask some questions that emerged from the various ARCHITECTS in 2012 in
proposals and debates that were exchanged during Aleppo. By 2013 Fares
moved to Turkey and
the 3 weeks of the workshop. Questions that affect- entered the humanitarian
ed us and that were left unanswered, maybe because field with Jesuit Refugee
they actually are serious and noteworthy. Services (JRS) as Objec-
tive Coordinator of multi
sectorial humanitarian
The reconstruction of Aleppo is perhaps an oppor- assistance programmes
for internally displaced
tunity for further reflection on the construction of a people in northwest Syria.
new Aleppo, a city that could respond to the major Since 2014 Fares has
became more involved
upheavals it has undergone. Before asking the ques- in shelter emergency
tion “what city do we reconstruct?”, we must start response and housing
support in Syria. Currently,
by observing the current city beyond the nostalgic he is the Emergency and
local imaginary or universal economic projections. Rehabilitation Infrastruc-
The idea of an Aleppo that reflects 3 major visions ture Head of Department
at Caritas Luxembourg,
imposed itself: the historical city and different urban co-founding the Syrian
plans, the spontaneous and informal city that devel- Association for Relief
and Development (SARD),
oped in parallel, but also (and mainly) the Aleppo of based in Turkey, to over-
war. Or, more precisely, Aleppo “at war”: half-demol- see the day-to-day man-
agement of infrastructure
ished, with a redistributed population, and with the projects inside Syria.
emergence of new polarities.
— 201 —
1 — André Gutton
(1904–2002) was a
The history of the city and its urban plan
French architect and
urban planner employed Economic development and population growth are the
by the French govern-
ment in Aleppo. main causes of the major transformation of the city of
Aleppo and its “oil-stain” expansion on a relatively flat
2 — Gyoji Banshoya
(1930–1998) was a
and favourable territory. Following a series of master
Japanese urban planner plans under the French mandate, the plan established
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 202 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
of a demolished city. The impotence of urban planning
is part of the various social and urban segregation fac-
tors that are at the heart of the current crisis in Syria.
Informality is the spontaneous city that, apart from
its quality, is a direct response to immediate needs.
Therefore, urban reality perhaps is the most significant
part of the city to understand, and not only the official
intentions and the past image of the city (represented
by a heritage that constantly needs to be reinvented).
Its structure, its position in relation to the city, its road
network, and its inhabitants are factors that need to be
analysed and understood in the long term.
— 203 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 204 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
— 205 —
By putting together urban, sociological, and political
data of areas of major destruction, such as East Alep-
po (the poor and popular part of the city), we come
across significant questions regarding the city. We
also come across the links that connect the war fronts
and the various urban fabrics. Beyond a communal
division of the city, the urban plans reveal social and
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 206 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
pecially since the current war in Syria shows complex
affiliations between communities and foreign policy.
— 207 —
boundaries that will emerge at the end of the conflict
and from the relationship with neighbouring countries.
A national vision of the country is essential to perform
the reconstruction on a territorial scale.
— 208 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
rent conflict, Jobar represented the rest of the eastern 3 — Daghman, “Mud
building architecture
neighbourhoods that were planted under the pressure of in Damascus region,
spatial affiliation. Its case of “urban expansion in a rural analysis and documen-
tation study” (Amaret
neighbourhood” poses important and useful questions Al Abnyeh al Tinyeh fe
in understanding what happened and what would hap- Iqleem Dimashq-Diraset
Tauthiqiyye Tahliliyye).
pen for post-war reconstruction.
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
collide in the “Jobar Mazzeh Autostrad” minibus that
crosses the city from west to east. Once the minibus
enters Jobar, recognisable conformities turn into estab-
lished hesitation: it is neither countryside nor city!
— 209 —
4 — For more on Before erecting the famous Baghdad Street at the
Damascene craft, see:
al-Qasimi, al-Qasimi, end of the Ottoman rule, the village of Jobar was
and al-Azm, “Dictionary connected to Damascus with a road that penetrat-
of Damascene Crafts”
(Qamus Al-Sina’at Al- ed farmlands towards Bab Touma and Amara. The
Shamiyya). aerial images clearly show that Jobar is not an ex-
tension of Damascus, and its origin has not been
established as such. Instead, it is an adjacent but
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 2 10 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
role of the Damascus countryside and recognise its
identity as an independent entity. But that decision
was selfish, a desperate attempt to win the orchard
circle around the city and push the sprawling hous-
ing beyond it. When urbanising and construction
froze around Damascus, a cement belt was built
around the green belt. Popular architecture had
become the way to build. During this period, Jobar
was characterised by a hybrid urban style. Housing
blocks that survived Resolution No.60 neighboured
mud houses. Streets were interspersed between the
old traditional allies (Harah) and overlapped with
the urbanists geometrical line. This all resulted in
severe urban problems, among which the non-ac-
knowledgement of the ancient fabric of the village
of Jobar as an important identity to its inhabitants.
Old traditional houses, though still inhabited, were
regarded as temporary structures until Jobar would
be able to build like (and imitate) Damascus5. From
1979 to 2000, the Parliament in Syria did not issue
any urban legislation. For twenty years, Jobar was
confused and caught in between what it wanted to
be and what it was.
— 2 11 —
At the beginning of the 21st Century, an attempt to
modernise Damascus resulted in a number of urban
legislation to modify No.60 and allow the sorting
and organisation of areas of the Damascus expan-
sion. Between 2000 and 2010, the remaining fabric
of the old neighbourhoods of Jobar was demolished
and replaced by typical four-storey buildings. In the-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 2 12 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
Jaramana is not an area of conflict that catches the
eye of world media. However, there is something
unique and remarkable about it that is worth touch-
ing upon: the relationship to refugees and internally
displaced people. Today, it is an overwhelmingly
urban suburb of Damascus with a vast diversity of
inhabitants. Throughout history, many refugees and
migrants chose to live here, but how did the city deal
(and still deals) with these sudden flows of people?
What have been the consequences on the urban
fabric of the city? With its long history and scores
of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP),
Jaramana is the chosen study case to understand
how IDP and new migrants can be incorporated in
the future development of the city, both in econom-
ic and physical contexts. The “city” is located 8 km
southeast of Damascus, on the road to Damascus
International Airport, separating the capital and the
eastern Ghouta region as an extension of the coun-
tryside. It borders with several towns that are close
to the capital, including Mleiha, Beit Sahm, Dokhani-
ya, Ain Tarma, Wadi Ain Tarma, Jisreen, Jobar and
others. Nowadays, Jaramana is contested between
— 2 13 —
6 — A. Maria, A. government and opposition forces, internally divided
Kastrinou, “Power, sect
and state in Syria: The by class and politics, “natives” and “refugees”. It is
politics of marriage and known for its cultural, social, and urban heterogene-
identity amongst the
Druze”, 2016. ity, yet it has the highest population density in the
suburb of Damascus today, with 1,100,000 inhabit-
ants, including 80,000 IDP and 7,000 Iraqi.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 2 14 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
ments in the area, in the context of neo-liberal state
forms. However, new visual and spatial boundaries
of the different communities were emerging through
economic accumulation and social networks, ar-
ticulated in segregated neighbourhood clusters of
new generation Druze immigrants, Christian com-
munities from Damascus, and Iraqi refugees in the
urban fabric.
— 2 15 —
9 — Sophia Hoffmann, In 1999, Jaramana had 70,000 inhabitants, but this
“Iraqi migrants in Syria:
The crisis before the number increased to over 114,000 in 2004 due to the
Storm”, 2016. arrival of Iraqi refugees. The suburb became the best
10 — BBC, “Syria con- destination, where rents were affordable and local
flict: Internally displaced people were friendly. Christian Iraqis preferred this
struggle to survive” Feb.
2016.
city for its heterogeneous non-conservative society.
Others from different parts of Damascus moved to
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Um Mohammed10
— 2 16 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
these buildings have been abandoned by the Iraqi 11 — ETH Studio Basel,
“Contemporary City In-
refugees who returned to their country or by Syrian stitute, 2009, Jaramana
inhabitant due to the inflation of rental costs. On the Refugee City.
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
rocket-propelled grenades, and security problems;
however, it was considered heaven in comparison to
other inflamed areas11.
— 2 17 —
12 — Raymond Hinne- the absence of paved roads between newly built apart-
busch, Tina Zintl, “Syria
from reform to revolt”, ment blocks and the sudden appearance of openly
2015. neglected sandy squares. Jaramana always seems
changing and unfinished12.
Changing future
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 2 18 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
by the conflict in the northwest provinces, and many
are living in more than 200 informal settlements and
in urban settings such as schools, public buildings,
garages, shops, and basements. The huge influxes
of internally displaced people (IDPs) were mainly
towards urban and semi-urban countryside commu-
nities. The northwest of Syria and border areas with
Turkey have been facing a constant influx of displaced
populations from different conflict areas within Syria
(mainly from Aleppo, Idleb, Hama, and Homs). Most
displaced people are originally from neighbouring
communities or provinces and left their homes due to
combat warfare. Host communities (hosting IDPs) are
also overstretched, especially small-scale communi-
ties (villages and towns), putting significant stress on
basic services as a result of increasing demands. The
longer the conflict continues, the more difficult the
post-conflict recovery will be.
— 2 19 —
Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Afs, Idlib
had a population of 6,338 in the 2004 census. The
village has fertile soil and is located in a plains
area, 5 km away from the city of Saraqib. Its old
housing units are mud dwellings and the new ones
are made of cement. The village has an earthy hill
on the southwest part and is known as Afs hill, the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 220 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
People are returning as soon as the conflict calms 14 — The World Bank,
“The toll of war”.
down to their affected village. Throughout Syria, <www.openknowl-
about 566.000 people have returned to their homes. edge.worldbank.
org/bitstream/han-
Most of these returnees have returned to Aleppo dle/10986/27541/
(332,000) and Hama (61,000)14. The%20Toll%20of%20
War.pdf>
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
The majority of the Afs returnees have returned to their
homes, and the rest have settled in abandoned build-
ings and shelters near their homes. Abandoned houses
have been thoroughly looted. People of Afs face finan-
cial difficulties in repairing and rebuilding their dwell-
ings to a minimum standard by themselves and need
financial support. Rubble and heavily destroyed build-
ings need to be secured or removed: the threat of ex-
plosive residue of war (mines, grenades, UXO) remains
a safety concern for the population.Village infrastruc-
tures have been deeply affected and water and sewage
network systems have been disrupted. People cannot
afford the high transportation costs and high prices
of basic shelter materials. Poor security and long
distance to local markets further compound the prob-
lem. The population in need will be able to acquire the
needed shelter materials only once sustainable means
of economic activity is provided. Otherwise, they will
continue to rely on humanitarian assistance in order to
rebuild their homes and be able to get back on their
feet again. On account of the poverty of some families,
many were forced to live in their damaged houses. Oth-
ers were not capable to recover their houses at all and
— 221 —
were therefore hosted by their relatives (IDPs). Moreo-
ver, Afs community found itself to become a host com-
munity when a huge IDP settlement was established
within their village. Mud dwelling units were built
thanks to different humanitarian actors (Clay villages)
in the eastern neighbourhood to host displaced fami-
lies from different places. Many other different types of
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 222 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
private structures designed for accommodation un-
der interrupted construction. This includes different
stages of construction, from basic concrete platforms
without walls, up to almost finished buildings without
plastering or sanitation systems.
— 223 —
due to displacement, imprisonment or loss of life.
Therefore, proof of registered HLP ownership may
not be available. Shelter provision, upgrades and or
rehabilitation can easily be co-opted to strengthen
ownership claims on the part of a community. It is
therefore essential to obtain information about the
conflict-induced changes to population composition.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Conclusion
— 224 —
R e e m A l h a r f o ush, M . Wesam Al Asali, Mar ia- Thala Al-A swad , Fares A l-S aleh
TA L E S F R O M S Y R I A . C A S E S T U D I E S
the past and especially from the last seven years of
urban violence. The four cases we have presented
do not have linear solutions, but rather solutions
through exponentially alternating levels of observing,
learning, and imagining.
— 225 —
SYRI A
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 226 —
ALEPPO MA’LŪLĀ
Armando Dal Fabbro Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa NAHLAYA
UNLAB Solano Benitez
Gaeta Springall Architects
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
ARIHA Francesco Cacciatore
Plan Colletif
Camillo Magni
Attilio Santi
MOSUL AL BAWABIYA Sinan Hassan
Felipe Assadi
RAQQA
DAMASCUS Giancarlo Mazzanti
Douma
Antonella Gallo
SHAHBA
Jaramana João Ventura Trindade
Ciro Pirondi
Al Mezzeh TARTUS
VMXarchitetti
Qaboun TA’UM
TAMassociati
Sarouja
BOM Architecture
DARAYYA
Aldo Aymonino
BAGHDAD Beals Lyon Arquitectos
HAMA
Ammar Khammash
KAFR BUHUM
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
LATAKIA
— 227 —
— ALEPPO / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Quwayq River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 232 —
ALEPPO
— 233 —
— ARIHA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
to Latakia
0 5 km
to Aleppo
ARIHA
Kafar Najd
0 1 km
ARIHA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 238 —
ARIHA
— 239 —
— AL BAWABIYA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
To’um
0 5 km
South Aleppo
Kafr Aleppo
AL BAWABIYA
AL BAWABIYA
ICARDA center
to Damascus
0 1 km
to Aleppo
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 244 —
AL BAWABIYA
— Al Bawabiya was
subject to much shelling
and airstrikes that
caused multiple IDPs,
and the village was
abandoned for 10 - 12
months. By February
2016, families began to
return to their homes,
as confirmed by the
village council after
the end of conflicts.
The 1.500 metre-long
main road is heavily
damaged and in need of
paving. The village high
school was completely
destroyed, therefore
the community rented
a warehouse in order to
provide students with
basic education.
— 245 —
— DAMASCUS
DAMASCUS
AL MEZZEH
DARAYYA
0 5 km
DOUMA
QABOUN
JARAMANA
— DOUMA / 33°34’20”N 36°24’ 06”E
QABOUN
to Damascus
0 1 km
DOUMA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 250 —
DOUMA
— 251 —
— JARAMANA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
0 1 km
JARAMANA
to airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 254 —
JARAMANA
— 255 —
Mount Qudssaya
AL MEZZEH
to Beirut
0 1 km
Umayyin Square
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 258 —
AL MEZZEH
— According to HRW’s
satellite images, a
total of 41.6 hectares
of buildings was de-
molished around the Al
Mezzeh military airport,
mainly between Decem-
ber 2012 and July 2013.
In September 2012,
the Syrian president
issued a presidential
decree authorising the
construction of two
urban planning areas
within the governorate
of Damascus, as part
of a “general plan for
the city of Damascus
to develop the areas of
unauthorised residential
housing”. The first
area is situated in the
southeast of Al Mazzeh,
encompassing the
real estate depart-
ments of Al Mazzeh
and Kafarsouseh. The
second extends south,
encompassing the de-
partments of Al Mazzeh,
Kafarsouseh, Qanawat,
Basateen, Darayya and
Qadam.
— 259 —
— QUABOUN / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Barzeh
0 1 km
QABOUN
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 262 —
QABOUN
— The conditions of
Qaboun are generally
good and the number of
buildings destroyed is
very small. The city can
be described as a mixed
area: half is completely
planned and the other
half hosts unplanned
houses. More than
1.500 rebels and family
members left the devas-
tated district of Qaboun
on the edge of Damas-
cus, as the Syrian army
and its allies continue
to advance in the areas
and around the capital.
Inhabitants are slowly
returning to their homes,
but because of political
and military agreements,
this process is quite
difficult.
— 263 —
— SAROUJA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Umayyin Square
to Beirut
0 1 km
Abbassiyyin Square
SAROUJA
EL MALEK
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 266 —
SAROUJA
— 267 —
— DARAYYA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA
0 5 km
old city of Damascus
Al Moadamyeh
0 1 km
DARAYYA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 272 —
DARAYYA
— By mid-2016, the
Syrian Army controlled
approximately 65% of
Darayya. The city was
completely destroyed.
Residents were relo-
cated from the suburb
where some of the
worst atrocities of the
Syrian war took place
after a brutal four-year
siege. Not only the
buildings but also the
infrastructure was heav-
ily damaged. In recent
years, residents have
slowly began returning
to their homes, but they
continue to have great
political issues.
— 273 —
— HAMA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
HAMA
to Homs
0 5 km
Mar Shahour
Al Orontes River
old castle site
0 1 km
HAMA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 278 —
6
HAMA
— In Hama, general
destruction is minimal.
It mostly affected the
suburbs, with several
offenses occurring in
the north of the city.
Satellite imagery has
identified 5.968 affected
structures, of which
4.969 destroyed, 345
severely damaged,
and 654 moderately
damaged. This analysis
does not include pre-war
military bases and
facilities.
— 279 —
— KAFB BUHUM / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
KAFR
0 5 km
Aleppo
train station
KAFR
IDP camp
0 1 km
Quanater
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 284 —
KAFR BUHUM
— 285 —
— KOBANE / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
KOBANE
to Aleppo
0 5 km
Turkish Border
Turkish Border
to Aleppo
0 1 km
KOBANE
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 290 —
KOBANE
— 291 —
— LATAKIA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Ugarit
LATAKIA
0 5 km
to Aleppo
Sheikh Daher
Ugarit Square
0 1 km
LATAKIA
Tishreen University
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 296 —
LATAKIA
— 297 —
— MA’LŪLĀ / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
MA’LŪLĀ
Alqalamoun Mount
to Damascus
0 5 km
Al Qutayfah
Jabadeen
0 1 km
Mar Takla
MA’LŪLĀ
Ayn At Tinah
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
X
— 302 —
MA’LŪLĀ
— 303 —
— NAHLAYA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Idlib
NAHLAYA
Ariha
to Latakia
0 5 km
to Aleppo
Kurin
0 1 km
NAHLAYA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 308 —
NAHLAYA
— 309 —
— PALMYRA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 3 14 —
PALMYRA
— 3 15 —
— RAQQA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
RAQQA
0 5 km
Al Nasirah
Euphrate River
New Bridge
0 1 km
RAQQA OLD CITY
Euphrate River
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 320 —
RAQQA
— 321 —
— SHAHBA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
0 5 km
to Damascus
Shaqqa
SHAHBA
to As Suwayda
to As Suwayda
0 1 km
to Damascus
SHAHBA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 326 —
SHAHBA
— 327 —
to Latakia
— TARTUS / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Mediterranean Sea
TARTUS
Arwad Island
0 5 km
museum
0 1 km
TARTUS
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 332 —
TARTUS
— Tartus has no
potential conflictual
problems. Many
people are now reaching
Tartus, therefore the
population number is
growing quickly. The
people arriving are lo-
cated in public buildings
(schools and gardens)
that now work as recep-
tion centres. The Syrian
Observatory for Human
Rights reports that in
2016 Tartus was the set
of a series of attacks
that killed 121 people
and injured many others.
— 333 —
to Turkish Border
Idlib
0 5 km
TA’UM airbase
to Aleppo
Saraqib
Al-Fu’ah
Binnish
0 1 km
TA’UM
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 338 —
TA’UM
— Nowadays, 15
houses are completely
destroyed. Some houses
have been repaired
by their owners, but
inhabitants were mostly
displaced within the
village, and either live
with their relatives or
have left the village en-
tirely. Nearly 90 houses
present damages to
the foundations due to
close shelling. Damage
in public facilities and
in infrastructure has
also occurred, and many
traditional shops were
almost totally demol-
ished. Public facilities,
infrastructure, and
agricultural lands were
affected by shelling.
— 339 —
SYRIA - THE
MAKING OF THE
FUTURE
FROM URBICIDE TO
THE ARCHITECTURE
OF THE CITY
—
VENICE
CHARTER ON
RECONSTRUCTION
Venice char ter o n rec o n stru c tio n
—
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
daily atrocities in front of our eyes, are not the first
ones nor the last. Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and oth-
er Syrian cities have been added to a long list: Guer-
nica, Coventry, Dresden, Hiroshima, Beirut, Baghdad,
Mosul, Basrah.
— 341 —
boundaries. The Syrian case presents an example of
how local conflicts involve the whole international
community: epochal migrations, global terrorism
and widespread violence affect globally every per-
son regardless of any economic, social and religious
boundaries.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 342 —
available resources and socially responsible design
solutions. Architects should become managers of nat-
ural and social resources assuming the burdensome
task to both understand and improve the relationship
between people and their environment.
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
must underline that architects possess unique skills
relevant to the problem: the capacity to reshape the
physical reality on the basis of the social necessi-
ties of the community while appropriately managing
natural resources.
— 343 —
gives spatial articulation to the pre-existing needs of
a society, helping them to articulate half-expressed
aspirations into an actual design program. These ex-
periences allow to create the critical mass necessary
to become a pressure group on larger decision-mak-
ing entities. Within this level, architecture and urban
planning act as device of mediation and enablement
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Participation
— 344 —
day’s knowledge society: academic institutions, re-
gional and international organizations, NGOs, public
and private enterprises. All must coordinate actions
and efforts in a timely way and must exchange in-
formation and ideas while gathering local needs and
aspirations. We call for partnership with local institu-
tions stressing the role of higher education and civil
society as a tool of solidarity.
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
scale initiatives at the level of neighbourhood or
building. Architects must facilitate micro interven-
tions that show a cautious attitude and avoid the im-
position of radical modernization agendas regarding
governance, constructive systems and economics.
— 345 —
aid that are spent through several, and sometimes
random, channels. Emergency planning actions usu-
ally leave the affected area without any future sus-
tainable plans. In-depth study of the different stages
of emergency must be prepared and each operation
must be re-connected with the subsequent recon-
struction periods.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 346 —
pend the life of peoples: forcing them in life-threat-
ening journeys or caging them in refugee camps.
Refugee camps should be planned as new towns or
settlements that can be used during the peace time
by the community for other functions. The migration
process must be considered as a resource, managing
the displacement in order to minimize dangers and
constructing institutions able to form specific abili-
ties such as technical knowledge and social reconcil-
iation. If refugee camps are considered affiliated to,
and part of the cities of tomorrow, refugees should
also be considered as new citizens contributing to
the growth of these cities future. Civic and moral
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
awareness in the studies and strategies of immigra-
tion, and integration of the refugees and displaced
in near and distant countries are key factors for the
success of a sustainable post-war reconstruction.
— 347 —
egies that involve neighbouring and refugee-hosting
countries. Return strategies should begin where refu-
gees are and not where they should return to.
Properties
— 348 —
energetic resources and to their original place of liv-
ing before the war and ensure that reconstruction
phases can provide conscious and detailed solutions
in light of pre-war property and post-war sustainable
development. The alteration of urban and large-scale
density has to be considered as a possible develop-
ment tool and always be carefully discussed through
a process of community participation.
Heritage
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
ban texture, comprising contiguous buildings, access
ways and free spaces between buildings. City centres,
monuments and physical heritage must be preserved
during the reconstruction process, together with the
intangible heritage related to the value of human en-
vironment. When the surface buildings have been
destroyed by war operations, underground traces of
former buildings become accessible and form another
level of urban heritage, to be explored through proper
archaeological excavations. Therefore, post-war re-
construction is two-fold, related to building groups
existing above ground, and to underground buildings
uncovered by war destruction. Reconstruction must
avoid the obliteration of past material heritage and
social functions and become associated with the
empowerment of the social, environmental and cul-
tural aspects of heritage sites. The concept of cultural
identity in today’s society is continuously shifting and
adapting, and the reconstruction process should fol-
low this contamination hybrid path between the neces-
sity for memory and the adaptation to current uses.
— 349 —
mandatory before reconstruction. If the survey identi-
fies valuable past remnants, full archaeological exca-
vations are needed, for a limited length of time (6 to
12 months, or more, depending upon the importance
of the site). At the end of this period, the findings
must be documented and topographically situated.
An evaluation determines whether the remnants can
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Managing resources
— 350 —
of existent urban texture and its damage level is the
trigger while the final aim should be an improvement
in density that allows the whole city to reach the rich
urban quality of the historical core while maximizing
energy efficiency and minimizing waste.
V E N I C E C H A RT E R O N R E C O N S T R U C T I O N
into a key financial resource through the installation
of transformation facilities able to empower inhabit-
ants. We encourage the diversification and decentral-
ization of infrastructural strategies trying to mitigate
the effects of war in post-war planning.
— 351 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
WHAT IF
OPEN WALLS?
A STRATEGY
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
FOR TADMOR
Roberta Albiero
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
WHAT IF
OPEN WALLS?
A STRATEGY
FOR TADMOR
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Roberta Albiero
What If Open Walls? A Strategy For Tadmor
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Palmyra
19 Sig ns in time
21 Wal l s of peace
28 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LULA
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
PALMYRA
- 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
Population
2004 55,062
2017 51,015
Description
Palmyra is a city in the centre of Syria, administratively part of the
Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian
Desert, northeast of Damascus and southwest of the Euphrates River.
Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one
of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The ruins
of ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated about
500 m southwest of the modern city centre. The modern city is built
along a grid pattern.
— 11 —
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
outside the city walls).
Syrian government
forces regained Palmyra
on 27 March 2016 after
intense fights against
ISIL fighters.
— 17 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Signs in tim e
—
Gi useppe Biasi
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
ing a form. A form that is completed and traceable
over time, whether understood as a unitary form or
as a set of multiple fragments in relation to each
other. The second, on the contrary, consists in the
construction of an abstract model, able to take
charge of possible variables and different interpre-
tations. This is to oppose the forma urbis that can
be achieved through one or more interventions: a
device for its growth regardless of the changing
needs, modes, and times of use.
— 19 —
school, an archaeological mission, a market, worship
spaces, and other activities that were located in the
destructed city within. The project was organised in
stages: the construction of the wall matrix, the first
necessary settlement, and finally a hypothesis of
future use after the reconstruction of the city. The
different approaches to the project allowed students
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Walls of pea c e
—
R ober t a Albiero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
logical heritage of Palmyra does not only represent an
attack on memory, identity, and on a culture, but also
a crisis of its resources: tourism and agriculture. The
future has to start from here.
Water
Water is the resource that gave birth to the ancient
town of Palmyra, which is close to a unique and spec-
tacular oasis, rich in water and cultivated gardens.
Currently, military and arbitrary management of water
by the same population is impoverishing the territory
and the food resources. The first intervention we sug-
gest is therefore the rationalisation of the water sys-
tem, once organised through a sophisticated channel
and shaft system. The introduction of a new aque-
duct will serve the city and the agricultural areas. A
series of reconstruction works and a new settlement
system will be developed along the aqueduct, which
runs through the barracks (barracks and prison areas
currently being destroyed). They will initially serve
as a support for the population still stationed there
or returning. Since it will take a long time to resume
tourism, agriculture must go back to be its first lead-
ing force to restart the economy.
— 21 —
Wall
— 22 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
tures). This brings to many adaptation possibilities
of its functions over time and over the needs of the
population. These primary functions are: houses,
first aid centres, markets, archaeological centres,
schools, religious buildings, gardens, and agricul-
tural areas. The matrix of the parallel walls can be
expanded, replicated, enlarged, or reduced. The pat-
tern of parallel walls comes from a Timgad project by
Valter Tronchin, freely interpreted.
Memorial garden
— 23 —
a demagogic attempt to erase a memory that can-
not be cancelled. It would be a crime that covers
crimes. We suggest preserving the memory of this
history of death by transforming the ruins of the
prison into a memorial garden, called the Garden
of the Soul: a quiet place for the spirit, a place to
not forget. The garden is structured as a sort of
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
easy to make and infinitely recyclable. Placed on
a base of local limestone, the walls are made with
plastered 60 cm-thick masonry. Inside, the walls
host the primary infrastructures: water and energy.
We believe that this system can be self-sufficient
from the energy point of view. The blocks will be
made locally, by the inhabitants themselves. It is
therefore an assisted self-construction process.
This will incentive low costs, flexible times, and
immediate adaptation to the needs of the inhabit-
ants. Using small blocks of compressed raw earth,
students physically experimented ways to actually
build this wall. Adobe blocks used for these exper-
iments and for the structure model at 1:50 scale,
were kindly provided by Matteo Brioni.
— 25 —
the construction of the permanent structure in
the first step of the process; the second model, in
which walls are transformed and filled in, demon-
strates the potentiality of the matrix in accepting
different ideas of architecture.
— 26 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
B ibliograph y
—
Albiero R., Coccia L., “Abitare il recinto”, Gangemi, Roma, 2008.
Albiero R., Gaggio M., Ravagni L. (eds.), “La valigia di Valter. L’architettura
per Valter Tronchin”, Gangemi, Roma, 2012, pp. 88-95.
Barragan L., “Obra construida”, Consejeria de Fomento y Vivienda,
Andalucia, 1995.
Braudel F., “La Méditerranée”, Flammarion, 1985 (Italian ed., “Il Mediter-
raneo”, Fabbri, Milano, 1987).
Dardi C., “Semplice lineare complesso”, Edizioni Kappa, Roma, 1987.
Fathy H., “Architecture for the poor. An experiment in Rural Egypt”, The
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
University of Chicago Press, United States, 2000.
Simounet R., “D’une architecture juste”, Le Moniteur, Paris, 1997.
Torrecillas A. J., in “Collective experiment II”, in “El Croquis” 149, Madrid,
2010, pp. 168-204.
Veyne P., “Palmyre”, Editions Albin Michel, Paris, 2015 (Italian ed. “Palmi-
ra. Storia di un tesoro in pericolo”, Garzanti, Padova, 2016).
— 27 —
Back to the
future. The
memorial
garden will
save the
history of
Tadmor’s
prison.
— 29 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
In between.
Open Walls as
a permanent
infrastructure
settlement
for primary
needs.
— 37 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
— Area of interventions
in the military zone.
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
— 41 —
Spirituality
Students Team
Beatrice Tanduo
Devid Vidoni
Emiliano Zamaro
B
Federica Parlato
Nicola Varesco
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
A A
— 42 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Shelter
Students Team
Juan Carlos Bjacà Herrera Giovanni Dalla Riva
Federica Bronzato Marco Leso
Denis Dalla Riva Giancarlo Melillo
B
10
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
D
C C
Longitudinal Section AA
Longitudinal Section CC
Cross Section BB / DD
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
Ed ucation
Students Team
Silvia Basso
Federica Biesso
Alberto Ferlin
Michela Maran
A
Eleonora Trento
Martina Zanchini
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
A’
C’
D’
B’
— 46 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Health
Students Team
Gianmarco Colombo
Alberto Conte
Antonio Ferrara
Giorgia Gaggiato
Angela Sambo
Luana Tonon
A’
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
B’
C’
— 47 —
A rena
Students Team
Federica Canella
Alberto Danese
Filippo Marcaggi
Riccardo Marcon
William Visentin
Francesco Zuccon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
C B
C’ B’
— 48 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Thermae
Students Team
Giulia Bersani
Davide Zaupa
B’
A’
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
C’
— 49 —
No more
separation
walls.
Walls must
be opened
to support
life, protect,
receive, and
coexist.
— 51 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
— Model detail.
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
A rcheology
Students Team
Laura Antonello
Stefania Lomi
Elena Menegazzo
Greta Palladini
Veronica Santi
Giulia Zambello
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
A gricolture
Students Team
Alessandro Doimo
Andrea Mestriner
Marta Modolo
Camilla Zanin
Luca Zanin
B’
A A’
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
Ground Floor Plan
B
— 53 —
Gard en
Students Team
Silvia Bordignon
Alberto Fabiano
Filippo Niero
Annachiara Stefani
Eleonora Vinco
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
2
A
B’
1
3
B
A’
— 54 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Museum
Students Team
Leonardo De Rossi Giacomo Sattin
Sebastiano Frison Matteo Tessari
Alberto Marafatto Lisa Zampieri
Giorgia Mellone
A A’
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
Ground Floor Plan
B’
— 55 —
Market
Students Team
Giacomo Sancilotto
Alberto Nardo
Anna Cecchin
Dunia Maccagni
Leonardo Lunardelli
Valeria Rigato
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Rober ta A lb iero
— Venice, Italy
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
es. She has given lectures and workshops in Italian
and foreign universities (Milan, Naples, Camerino,
Parma, Reggio Calabria, Lisbon, Evora, Granada).
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Giuseppe Biasi
Partner Architect of BBV, PhD in Urban Planning at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia. Professor at Iuav and at the Politec-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Martina Ivancic
Graduated at Università Iuav di Venezia after several expe-
riences abroad (Germany and Spain).
Francesca Pasqual
Graduated at Università Iuav di Venezia after several expe-
riences abroad.
Giovanni Mucelli
Guest, lecture: Adobe walls.
Matteo Brioni
Guest, sponsor. Lecture: Raw earth.
Fuad Ahmadvand
Born and raised in Tehran, he is a composer and musician,
playing the Santur in the Safar Mazì group. He created
and performed a composition interpreting the rhythm and
measures on which the Open Walls project is based.
— 62 —
Rob er ta Alb iero
Stud ents
—
W H AT I F O P E N W A L L S ? A S T R AT E G Y F O R TA D M O R
Anna Cecchin Veronica Santi
Gianmarco Colombo Giacomo Sattin
Alberto Conte Anna Chiara Stefani
Denis Dalla Riva Beatrice Tanduo
Giovanni Dalla Riva Matteo Tessari
Alberto Danese Luana Tonon
Leonardo De Rossi Eleonora Trento
Alessandro Doimo Nicola Varesco
Alberto Fabiano Devid Vidoni
Alberto Ferlin Eleonora Vinco
Antonio Ferrara William Visentin
Sebastiano Frison Emiliano Zamaro
Giorgia Gaggiato Giulia Zambello
Marco Leso Lisa Zampieri
Stefania Lomi Martina Zanchini
Leonardo Lunardelli Luca Zanin
Dunia Maccagni Camilla Zanin
Alberto Marafatto Davide Zaupa
Michela Maran Francesco Zuccon
Filippo Marcaggi
Riccardo Marcon
Giancarlo Melillo
Giorgia Mellone
Elena Menegazzo
Andrea Mestriner
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Felipe Assadi
— AL BAWABIYA / 36°01’31’’N 36°89’12’’E
MIRRORING
THE FUTURE:
THE CITY OF
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
CHILDRENS
Felipe Assadi
— AL BAWABIYA / 36°01’31’’N 36°89’12’’E
MIRRORING
THE FUTURE:
THE CITY OF
CHILDRENS
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Felipe Assadi
Mirroring The Future: The City Of Childrens
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Al B awabiya
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Felip e Assadi
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Felip e Assadi
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Felip e Assadi
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Felip e Assadi
AL BAWABIYA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Al Bawabiya is a village about 35 km south of Aleppo, and about 1.5
km off Damascus. The village has a population of more than 8,500
people in 1,000 housing units, including 400 families originally from
Al Bawabiya and 1,100 displaced from Aleppo, Homs, and Hama. Cur-
rently, it is accessible via the Aleppo - Damascus international high-
way M5. The village’s main roads are paved and in relatively good con-
dition. In addition, there is a field road used by civilians to transport
crops. However, rubble removal work is needed in order to restore ap-
propriate access. The village has 4 schools managed by more than 40
teachers and staff members.
— 11 —
To’um
0 5 km
South Aleppo
Kafr Aleppo
AL BAWABIYA
AL BAWABIYA
ICARDA center
to Damascus
0 1 km
to Aleppo
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Felip e Assadi
— Al Bawabiya was
subject to much shelling
and airstrikes that
caused multiple IDPs,
and the village was
abandoned for 10 - 12
months. By February
2016, families began to
return to their homes,
as confirmed by the
village council after
the end of conflicts.
The 1,500 metre-long
main road is heavily
damaged and in need of
paving. The village high
school was completely
destroyed, therefore
— 17 —
Felip e Assadi
In trod uction
—
Diego Garcia de la Huerta, Rodrigo Santa María, Victor Villalobos
— 19 —
ideal city. Monitored by their teachers and nursery
schools, their drawings answered three questions
we sent them from Venice: How do you imagine
your city in the future? How do you imagine your
playground? And how would you like your house to
be tomorrow?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Felip e Assadi
Mirroring th e fu tu re
—
Felipe Assadi
— 21 —
never end, and since people in Syria are subjected to
continuous and programmed attacks, we have worked
on an unfinished intervention model, which does not
seek to rebuild a destroyed infrastructure but pretends
to be a start-up infrastructure for future reconstruc-
tion. We also know that Al Bawabiya is not character-
ised by architecture of historical or patrimonial inter-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
The site
— 22 —
Felip e Assadi
The Ring
— 23 —
called it, also had an inclination of 2 degrees, so that
one part rises to 15 m of height, area in which most
buildings dedicated exclusively to education, wor-
ship, and dormitories and orphanages are located.
Another smaller part of the Ring was buried, generat-
ing a direct contact with the land and with the new
buildings that are related to sports, health, agricul-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Felip e Assadi
— 25 —
The Ring.
— 27 —
Felip e Assadi
— 28 —
— 29 —
Felip e Assadi
— 30 —
Site 1
Library
Place of worship
Information route
— 31 —
Felip e Assadi
— 32 —
Site 2
Infirmary
Pediatric center
Information route
Dormitory orphanage
— 33 —
Felip e Assadi
— 34 —
Site 3
Primary school
Information route
— 35 —
Felip e Assadi
— 36 —
Site 4
Canteen
Information path
— 37 —
Felip e Assadi
— 40 —
Site 5
Information path
Secondary school
— 41 —
Felip e Assadi
— 42 —
— 43 —
Felip e Assadi
— 44 —
Site 6
Pediatric center
Welcome center
Information path
Humanitarian warehouse
— 45 —
Felip e Assadi
— 46 —
Hotel
Site 7
Foresteria
Information path
— 47 —
Felip e Assadi
— 48 —
Sport
Site 8
Didactic garden
Information path
Agricultural School
— 49 —
Felip e Assadi
— 50 —
— 51 —
Felip e Assadi
— 52 —
Site 9
Hospital
Information path
— 53 —
Felip e Assadi
— 54 —
Bazaar
Market
Site 10
Information path
— 55 —
Felip e Assadi
— 56 —
— 57 —
Felip e Assadi
— 60 —
Felip e Assadi
Felipe Assa di
— Santiago de Chile, Chile
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Victor Villalobos
Victor Villalobos is an architect from the Universidad Finis
Terrae and master’s degree from Universidad Politécnica
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 62 —
Felip e Assadi
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi / Mirroring The Future: The City Of Childrens
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Aldo Aymonino
— DARAYYA / 33°27’31”N 36°14’13”E
DARAYYA:
PUBLIC SPACE
AND IDENTITY
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
Aldo Aymonino
— DARAYYA / 33°27’31”N 36°14’13”E
DARAYYA:
PUBLIC SPACE
AND IDENTITY
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Aldo Aymonino
Darayya: Public Space And Identity
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Darayya
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Aldo Aymonino
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Aldo Aymonino
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Aldo Aymonino
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Aldo Aymonino
DARAYYA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
Population
2004 78,763
2017 71,596
Description
Darayya, one of the oldest cities in Syria, is a suburb of Damascus, and
its centre lays 8 km southwest of Damascus’ centre. Administratively, it
belongs to Rif Dimashq. The city is the 19th largest city per geographical
entity and one of the oldest cities in Syria. In August 2012 and January
2013, opposition groups denounced that government forces performed
a mass killing, later known as the Darayya massacre. The fighting con-
tinued in the city with most of the municipality controlled by the armed
opposition forces.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA
0 5 km
Al Moadamyeh
0 1 km
DARAYYA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Aldo Aymonino
— By mid-2016, the
Syrian Army controlled
approximately 65% of
Darayya. The city was
completely destroyed.
Residents were relo-
cated from the suburb
where some of the
worst atrocities of the
Syrian war took place
after a brutal four-year
siege. Not only the
buildings but also the
infrastructure was heav-
ily damaged. In recent
years, residents have
slowly began returning
to their homes, but they
continue to have great
political issues.
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 17 —
Aldo Aymonino
In trod uction
—
R ober t a Bar tolone, G iuse ppe Ca ld a ro la , Mir na Zo rd a n
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
gions − was the principle behind the recognition of
reconstruction models capable of communicating
the characteristic of the cultural universe.
— 19 —
ods and archetypal figures of local tradition, in the
existing heritage. The results consisted in the con-
struction of an articulated spatial structure made up
of various linked city spaces, joining the internal and
external part of buildings without specific continuity.
— 20 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 21 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
WAR AND DESTRUCTIONS ERASE IDENTITY
— 23 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
PROJECT PHASES
— 24 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 25 —
The cities
need
public space.
— 27 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— Today’s situation in
Darayya. The city re-
sults severely damaged
by war.
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
The students were
divided into 10 groups
and every group was
assigned a part of the
city. Red dots indicate
the exhibition route and
circulation. The model
was designed to be
constructed at the maxi-
mum scale possible,
giving visitors the best
perception of the city.
An important goal of the
workshop was to return
the city’s identity: this is
why the upper levels of
the city were designed
to be reconstructed
exactly as before the
war. The only difference
was that, since the first
and ground level are
dedicated to public and
collective space, one or
two levels were added
on top of the buildings.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
With or
without
identity?
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
— 41 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
Aldo Aymonino
space.
— The complexity of
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Aldo Aymonino
— Playgrounds.
— Light and space.
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
Starting
from the
ground.
— 59 —
Aldo Aymonino
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Aldo Aymonino
A ld o Aymon in o
— Rome, Italy
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
tions. He has also been a guest lecturer in many in-
ternational and Italian universities and institutions.
Today, Aldo Aymonino is a design consultant for the
consortium Venezia Nuova, for the realisation of a
moving barrier system for the protection of Venetian
lagoon (Project MOSE).
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Roberta Bartolone
Roberta Bartolone has a Postgraduate Degree and PhD in
Architecture from Università Iuav di Venezia. She was in-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Giuseppe Caldarola
Giuseppe Caldarola is an architect, PhD (European Doc-
torate Quality of Design - XXII cycle) who graduated cum
laude in 2006 at Università Iuav di Venezia. He is teaching
assistant and temporary research fellow in the fields of
Architectural and Urban Design at the same university.
Mirna Zordan
Mirna Zordan graduated cum laude at Università Iuav di
Venezia. She attended a Master (MUDD) in Sydney, Aus-
tralia, where she was also involved in private housing
projects and exhibition space design in Australia. She is
teaching assistant and temporary research fellow in the
fields of Architectural and Urban Design at Iuav, working
on urban regeneration themes.
— 62 —
Aldo Aymonino
Stud ents
—
D A R AY YA : P U B L I C S PA C E A N D I D E N T I T Y
Filippo Bosco Federica Putzu
Angela Brombo Roberta Raffa
Davide Bruneri Elena Rastelli
Francesca Carnelos Domenico Regine
Adelaide Catalano Ilaria Rosolen
Matteo Cecchinato Francesca Rossi
Carlo Corona Lucia Sabbadin
Paolo De Chechi Federica Salaorni
Alberto Della Libera Sara Santoni
Chiara Dissegna Anna Sarchelletti
Camilla Donadon Nicolò Sartori
Alberto Doria Giada Scarpa
Desiree Doria Enxhi Shkreli
Giulia Fabrin Greta Sorgato
Lorenzo Fabris Luca Stefani
Stefano Freschi Sophia Tarqui
Elena Froni Sonia Tecchio
Leonan Gatto Fonseca Giada Terren
Leonardo Giacalone Vittoria Vascellari Dal Fiol
Luca Giorgetti Milo Vianello
Deborah Girardi Veronica Vidal
Ruoyu Guo Alessandro Visentin
Nicolò La Carpia Alessia Zambon
Ting Liu Carolina Zandarin
Laura Longhin Oana Zavoianu
Fang Lu
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino / Darayya: Public Space And Identity
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
CITY
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
— DARAYYA / 33°27’31”N 36°14’13”E
OF EDENS
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
— DARAYYA / 33°27’31”N 36°14’13”E
CITY
OF EDENS
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Darayya
19 Introd uction
23 Ci ty of Ed ens
28 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
CIT Y OF EDENS
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
CIT Y OF EDENS
Venice is where reflecting on these things is pos-
sible: a city that was described, by Richard Bon-
ington and by Antoine-Claude Valéry, as “a Pal-
myra of the Sea”3.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
CIT Y OF EDENS
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
DARAYYA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
CIT Y OF EDENS
Population
2004 78,763
2017 71,596
Description
Darayya, one of the oldest cities in Syria, is a suburb of Damascus, and
its centre lays 8 km southwest of Damascus’ centre. Administratively,
it belongs to Rif Dimashq. The city is the 19th largest city per geo-
graphical entity and one of the oldest cities in Syria. In August 2012
and January 2013, opposition groups denounced that government
forces performed a mass killing, later known as the Darayya massa-
cre. The fighting continued in the city with most of the municipality
controlled by the armed opposition forces.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA
0 5 km
Al Moadamyeh
0 1 km
DARAYYA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— By mid-2016, the
Syrian Army controlled
approximately 65% of
Darayya. The city was
completely destroyed.
Residents were relo-
cated from the suburb
where some of the
worst atrocities of the
Syrian war took place
after a brutal four-year
siege. Not only the
buildings but also the
infrastructure was heav-
ily damaged. In recent
years, residents have
slowly began returning
to their homes, but they
continue to have great
political issues.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 17 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
In trod uction
—
Massimo Triches, Va le nt ina Tr id ello
CIT Y OF EDENS
new, we searched for existing architectural refer-
ences in cities comparable to Darayya, in terms of
scale, and strictly related to the Middle East world
in terms of heritage; a city like Venice.
The garden
— 19 —
Palazzo Contarini dal Zaffo’s, Palazzo Grimani ai
Servi’s, Scuola Vecchia della Misericordia’s, Palaz-
zo Morosini’s, Ca’ Zenobio’s, Orto del campanile,
Liceo Artistico’s, and Palazzo Nani Bernardo’s.
This didactic exercise aimed to let the students
understand the importance of drawing everything
up to the finest details of their projects, creating a
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
The threshold
— 20 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
The city
CIT Y OF EDENS
gardens should be spread out in the city, as in Venice,
with a ten-minute walking distance between one and
the other. Looking at the pictures, students tried to un-
derstand the physical and emotional characteristics of
the place, studying how to insert the garden projects
(and its surrounding structure) in the existent urban
fabric, putting them in relation to the existing facilities,
such as schools, mosques, churches, and bazaars.
Conclusion
— 21 —
have in building collective identities and in defin-
ing the founding places of the city and its inhabit-
ants. The gardens in Venice are like small “mira-
cles” that the city tries to keep secret, like hidden
treasures. By putting them in a system, they can
transform the image of Venice from a city of the
palaces, to a city of gardens. We could imagine
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
C ity Of Ed en s
—
Al ej andro Beals and L o reto Lyo n
CIT Y OF EDENS
rigid by nature and therefore become quickly obso-
lete. Differently, we wanted to think about post-war
reconstruction from a series of memorable fragments
of open communal spaces, meant to be the physical
embodiment of peace, hope, and enjoyment, where
people could assemble in order to think about how
the city should be rebuilt. As Peter Sloterdijk puts it,
“the public sphere is not just the effect of people as-
sembling but in fact goes back to the construction of
a space to contain them, and in which the assembled
persons are first able to assemble” (Sloterdijk, 2005).
— 23 —
the rubble. Throughout the workshop, we worked in
order to define and explore a method to create such
spaces, from where to restore trust and public life,
restoring the image of a destroyed and neglected
city. All this not in order to imagine a specific and
imposed answer about post-war reconstruction, but
to provide the necessary spaces for public debate.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Gardens
— 24 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
ruins and decay has the capacity to evoke and bring
memories back to life, but also to remind us of the
destruction that allowed its own existence. It is a
space of remembrance, but also one that promotes
hope and allows us to think about a different future.
Since old times, societies benefited from the healing
properties of gardens, using them as spaces of quar-
antine, places where to grow medicinal herbs, or put-
ting them next to hospitals. They became therapeutic
landscapes where still nowadays patients take mo-
mentary comfort and relief. Gardens are peaceful
and restorative places that provide refuge and help
recovery. Spending time in the open, either working
in the garden or simply breathing fresh air, contrib-
utes to the improvement on the overall sense of well-
being, diminishing stress and anxiety (Kreitzer, Mary
Jo. Healing Gardens). Communal productive gardens
in Venice are also used as social spaces, allowing
people of different backgrounds to build a sense of
community. Gardens (and gardening) seemingly in-
— 25 —
volve central components of social inclusion. Collec-
tive garden work, enacted through social welfare pro-
jects, enables gardeners to participate in processes
of production, social interaction, and even political
engagement. Gardening can also transcend social
problems or differences to create a sense of com-
munity and belonging. Their existence is based on
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
A City of Edens
— 26 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
—
Al-Sabouni M., TED Talk: “How Syria’s architecture laid the foundation for
brutal work”, 2016.
Aureli P., “The possibility of an absolute architecture”, MIT Press, 2011.
Cooper-Marcus C., Barnes M., “Healing gardens: therapeutic benefits and
design recommendations”, John Wiley & Sons, 1999.
Lefebvre H., “The everyday and everydayness”, Yale French Studies N.73, 1987.
Olonetzky N., “Sensations: a time travel through garden history”,
Birkhauser, 2007.
Sloterdijk P., “Atmospheric politics”, in “Making things public: atmospheres
of democracy”, ed. by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel, Mit Press, 2005.
— 27 —
Let us propose
a series of
spaces for
people to
assemble and
think about
how the city
should be
rebuilt.
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— From Venice to
Darayya. Collage.
We researched spaces
that promote quiet and
chances of encounter
in Venice (gardens and
thresholds), in order
to later build some of
our own in the city of
Darayya.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Garden survey:
Palazzo Contarini dal
Zaffo. Plan
— Garden survey:
Palazzo Contarini dal
Zaffo. Section and
elevation.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Garden survey:
Palazzo Grimani ai
Servi. Section.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 37 —
Gardens
can operate
as seeds
of renewal,
capable of
restoring city
life amongst
the rubble.
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Threshold survey:
Fondazione Querini
Stampalia. Isometric.
— Threshold survey:
Mercato di Rialto.
Isometric.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Translation process:
Materials/Actions. A
case study plan, from a
historical architectural
atlas proposed by each
group, is transformed
several times by a series
of material - action
translations.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— Figure/Ground: One of
the resulting shapes is
turned into a void, which
will contain the atmos-
pheric elements of a
garden surveyed by the
students. The original
shape becomes ground;
the void becomes what
we remember. This void
is successively enclosed
by a specific threshold,
which finally infiltrates
the city’s remains.
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— A Community Garden.
Collage, Threshold view.
— A Community Garden.
From Ca’ Morosini’s
garden and Ca’ Pesaro.
Floor plan.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Reconstruction of the
Void. Collage, access
view.
— Reconstruction of
the Void. From Scuola
Vecchia Della Miseri-
cordia’s garden and San
Francesco Della Vigna.
Floor plan.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— A Transition Between
Nature and Architecture.
From Palazzo Nani
Bernardo’s garden and
Stazione Santa Lucia.
Floor plan.
— A Transition Between
Nature and Architecture.
Collage, access view
and garden view.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Unexpected Oasis.
From Palazzo Grimani
ai Servi’s garden and
Fondazione Querini
Stampalia. City infiltra-
tion, floor plan and
exploded isometric.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
— Interlacing Connec-
tions. From Orto dei
Campanilo and Mercato
di Rialto. City infiltration,
floor plan and exploded
isometric.
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 57 —
A large-scale
transformation
through local
interventions
towards
long-term city
reconstruction.
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
CIT Y OF EDENS
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Massimo Triches
Architect, founder and partner at Babau Bureau of Ven-
ezia. He studied at Università Iuav di Venezia, where he
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Valentina Tridello
She studied architecture at Università Iuav di Venezia and in
the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Currently, she
is working as a tutor in the Iuav master course Atelier città
e paesaggio, and is enrolled in the European Postgraduate
Master in Urbanism (EMU), a joint program between TU
Delft, KU Leuven, Iuav Venezia, and UPC Barcelona.
Mariagrazia Dammico
President and co-founder Wigwam Club Giardini Storici
Venezia.
Antonietta Grandesso
Supervisor of Spazio Thetis.
— 62 —
B eals Lyon Arquitectos
Stud ents
—
CIT Y OF EDENS
Diego Busnardo Adrian Rivera Tchernicov
Cecilia Carena Fabio Francesco Romano
Ilaria Cazzola Gianmarco Salvaggio
Anna Conte Ilaria Sartori
Davide D’Addazio Gaia Scavone
Ludovico Dal Piccol Emanuela Schirone
Aron De Cesero Marco Schito
Marie Donoso Chiara Simionato
Zerina Dzubur Maria Targa
Sofia Erlicher Elena Tropea
Marla Farah Valentina Zorzi
Francesco Ferretti
Giulia Fiorini
Nicholas Fontanini
Pietro Franchin
Maria Isabella Gallo
Nicolò Giantin
Serena Giusto
Barahona Jaime Gomez
Linda Guariento
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos / City Of Edens
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Solano Benitez
— NAHLAYA / 35°50’44”N 36°36’01”E
BETWEEN WAR
AND PEACE.
CAN THE STONE
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
SPEAK?
Solano Benitez
— NAHLAYA / 35°50’44”N 36°36’01”E
BETWEEN WAR
AND PEACE.
CAN THE STONE
SPEAK?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Solano Benitez
Between War And Peace. Can The Stone Speak?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Nahl aya
19 Introd uction
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Solano Benitez
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Solano Benitez
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Solano Benitez
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Solano Benitez
NAHLAYA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Nahlaya is a village in northern Syria, administratively part of the
Idleb Governorate, and located south of Idleb. Nearby localities in-
clude the district centre of Ariha to the south, Kurin to the north-
west, and Faylun and al-Mastumah to the north. There are eight main
streets in the village, in addition to small streets linking it to other
nearby villages. Nahlaya has suffered from numerous military ac-
tions due to its strategic location near al-Mastumah camp and on
the front line between Idleb and Ariha.
— 11 —
Idlib
NAHLAYA
Ariha
to Latakia
0 5 km
to Aleppo
Kurin
0 1 km
NAHLAYA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Solano Benitez
— 17 —
Solano Benitez
In trod uction
—
Rocio Crosetto Brizzio, Matilde Pietrabissa, Agostina Vacca
— 19 —
During the three weeks of the workshop, we meas-
ured and tested the resistance and other properties
of a material we found interesting and challeng-
ing, since we imagined it could be used in different
fields: plastic wrap. We started studying this pecu-
liar material because it is extremely elastic; and be-
ing made of maize starch, it is biodegradable, eco-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Solano Benitez
A rchitects fo r Sy ria :
societies un der c o n s tru c tio n
—
Solano Benitez
— 21 —
tacit agreement, we have constructed the ancestral
story that lead us from hunger to fasting, from group
to family, from territory to nation, from knowledge to
religion, from leadership to politics, in the ambition
of never abandoning a better way of life.
— 22 —
Solano Benitez
— 23 —
functions: supination, pronation, rotation, and trans-
lation — are the most widespread resource that we
possess to transform and breathe life into matter.
— 24 —
Solano Benitez
— 25 —
Architects
should
take great
care with
their words
because what
they say is
written with
stones.
— 27 —
Solano Benitez
— 28 —
— 29 —
Solano Benitez
— 30 —
— 31 —
Solano Benitez
— 32 —
— 33 —
Solano Benitez
— 34 —
— 35 —
Solano Benitez
6 cm
55 cm
7,5 cm
— 36 —
— 37 —
Solano Benitez
— 38 —
— 39 —
Solano Benitez
— 42 —
— 43 —
Solano Benitez
— 44 —
— 45 —
Solano Benitez
— 46 —
— 47 —
Solano Benitez
— 48 —
— 49 —
Solano Benitez
— 50 —
— 51 —
Solano Benitez
— 52 —
— 53 —
Solano Benitez
— 54 —
— 55 —
Solano Benitez
— 56 —
— 57 —
Solano Benitez
— 60 —
Solano Benitez
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Rocio Crosetto Brizzio
She graduated in Architecture, Design, and Urbanism at UNC,
Argentina. She worked as a teaching assistant at FAUD. Now,
she is working in Paraguay in Javier Corvalan’s Laboratorio
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
de Arquitectura.
Matilde Pietrabissa
Student at the Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio, Swit-
zerland. She has worked as a student intern in Gloria Cabral
and Solano Benitez’s Gabinete de Arquitectura in Asuncion,
Paraguay. During her spare time, she worked in an art gallery.
Marco Ballarin
He graduated and obtained a PhD in Architectural Composition
at Università Iuav di Venezia. He has collaborated with prof.
Ferlenga since 2012, and is curator of four editions of W.A.Ve.
He has been visiting professor at the Universidad Católica,
Asunción. He design and builds in Venice and Asunción.
Simone Cadamuro
Graduate in Architecture at Università Iuav di Venezia, he had
several experiences in South America working as an archi-
tect, in Ecuador and in Paraguay, in Javier Corvalan’s studio.
— 62 —
Solano Benitez
Stud ents
—
Maria Victoria Alacorn Bianca Mascellani
Silvia Andolfato Chiara Meneghello
Francesco Baldin Sara Michieletto
Jacopo Barbon Katherine Moraga
Uzay Bayraktar Virginia Morassutti
Erasmo Bitetti Annamaria Morelato
Matteo Boninsegna Alvise Mori
Alberto Bovo Iuliana Mutu
Denis Antonio Burci Alessia Oro
Tomas Calvo Anna Paoli
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez / Between War And Peace. Can The Stone Speak?
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
BOM Architecture
— SAROUJA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
VOIDSCAPE
AS HERITAGE?
BOM Architecture
— SAROUJA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
VOIDSCAPE
AS HERITAGE?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
BOM architecture
Voidscape As Heritage?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Sarouj a
19 Introd uction
24 The workshop
60 Col ophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
B O M Architecture
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
B O M Architecture
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
B O M Architecture
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
B O M Architecture
SAROUJA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
Population
2004 83,814
2017 NA
Description
Sarouja is the first part of Damascus that was built outside the city
walls in the 13th century. Unfortunately, some parts of this old Market
were destroyed, and others were neglected by their owners. The begin-
nings of Souq Sarouja date back to the 12th century, when the eastern
side of Sarouja was initially called Al Ouienah or Ouienat al Hema and
started extending from the districts out of the Damascus wall, on the
side of Oqaibah. Many buildings were built in the Ayyubid era, including
tombs and graves like the Najmiah and Moiniah tombs and the great
school of Set Al Sham. Al Malek Faisal is a street that runs parallel
to a canal in the Sarouja area just north of the old city of Damascus.
Damascus is a legendary city and the source of its prosperity is the
Barada River, which springs 40 km from Damascus in the Anti-Lebanon
Mountains. The water flow has declined by 42% since 1947. Situated in
an area of low rainfall rate, Damascus would never have been such a
prosperous city without the water flow of the Barada River.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
0 5 km
old city of Damascus
Umayyin Square
to Beirut
0 1 km
Abbassiyyin Square
SAROUJA
EL MALEK
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
threat to the survival of
architectural heritage.
— 17 —
B O M Architecture
In trod uction
—
Claudia Aracci
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
cus, whose present is largely represented by war. Our
vision has therefore set itself the task of represent-
ing an optimistic attitude. As such, our outlook had
to be dynamic, full of vitality, and forward-looking in
order to convey hope through our reflexion.
— 19 —
U rb a n S C O P E & Voi d S C A P E
—
BO M a rchit ect ure
Most notably:
– In this context of war, will beauty save the world?
— 20 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
logical corridors. Therefore, a major issue emerged
from the densification of networked pathways: primary
landmarks were connected via a network of pathways
that intersected with major courtyards at various
points. We believe the riverscape is an integral part of
the identity of Damascus. However, the banks of the
river are not always permeable, particularly in the urban
areas along its way. Our process consisted in softening,
widening, and amplifying the riverbanks, and linking the
river to nearby conservation areas through a network
of planted corridors. This widening was accomplished
with various strategies adapted to the multiple urban,
programmatic, and ecological needs of the site. The
riparian corridor played a central role in reframing the
river and displaying it in a new and different light. Fur-
ther emphasis was then placed on the historic façades
and on their interaction with the new riverscape.
— 21 —
and height, extending themselves across the length of
a rich landscape. The public spaces surrounding the
riverbanks are not mono-functional since they adapt
fluidly to the varied and multiple uses of the public at
large. Accordingly, representational iconic spaces in
our project were clearly articulated – areas of cultural
heritage enhancing urban façades as a multi-function-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
As one moves past the threshold of each detour, one
symbolises his adherence to groups of different sizes
— an unconscious mode of self-construction whereby
the body traverses successive boundaries.
— 23 —
How
a dry river
could
breathe
new life
into
an abandoned
heritage?
— 25 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 26 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
— 27 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
The riparian corridor
plays a central role to
reframe the river and
display it in a new and
different light. Further
emphasis will be placed
on the historic facades
and their interaction
with the new riverscape.
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
— 33 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
B O M Architecture
— To encounter the
neighborhood of El
Malek Faisal for the
first time is to seize
upon its rich and varied
urban landscape and
put in foreground it’s
riverscape. It is neces-
sary to consider the
river not only in terms
of environment, but also
to perceive the city as
a series of stories and
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
images linked to its rich
and varied cultural and
architectural heritage,
considering the void
as landscape and void-
SCAPE as heritage.
— Models:
Beatrice Fassina
Gabriele Feraco
Mohamed Yasser Hariss
Jonah Klinghoffer
Beatrice Lucchetta
Sara Manente
Emir Memishoski
Micaela Tedone
— 35 —
The void is a
fundamental
element,
a captured
landscape or
a captured
memory.
Think local,
act global.
— 37 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
hardscape.The hardscape
is surrounded by com-
mercial buildings creating
a more chaotic environ-
ment, while the softscape
compose a green
multifunctional park.
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
Can we create an image
of a city full of potential
and vitality, through the
appropriation of the
public space?
— 41 —
UrbanSCOPE
-
VoidSCAPE
Minimal
means,
maximum
effect.
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
the development ap-
propriate for all seasons
moreover the level of
water create a versatile
urban landscape.
— 43 —
maa
prehend the
nd architec- Semi-private module: Type A
m the Arabic
ded the daily Semi-private module: Type B
originating
oms. By iso- Private module typology
es of the fo-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
yards as a
and there-
ized as a
m to extend
and enhance
physical and
aled that our
redesigning
rea to a cul-
hence the
maa = com-
s were to be
building that
ntial rooms Proposal
ealed court-
Existing facade
stence to the
ese new ex-
rivate family
while other
n the neigh- — 44 —
ommunity.
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
to the public and en-
hance its local identity.
By redesigning the
façade of the chosen
area to a cultural verti-
cal landscape, hence
the name of the
project Moujtamaa =
community. Carefully
designed modules were
to be placed on the
urban façade that would
extend the concealed
court-yards, announcing
their existence to the
exterior space.
— Nikolaos-Romanos
Tsokas and Nikolaos
Kofopoulos, Moujtamaa.
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
B O M Architecture
— At once standardized
and idiosyncratic, the
public space today is a
reflection of our inherent
contradictions. These
contradictions are
visible in the crumbling
individual lives that are
subjected to the pres-
sure and relentless to
and fro of the metropo-
lis. They foreground the
power balance between
the city and pedestrians
who are torn between
their individual freedom
and their place in the
collective.
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
—The city becomes the
locus of all efforts at
reconciliation between
the singular and the col-
lective and does not rep-
resent a finite, fixed or
determined framework.
Our work questions
an architectural and
urban process of the
persistence of shared,
communal spaces;
torn between sharing
a collective vision and
preserving individuality.
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
B O M Architecture
— DamaSTICKS is a lin-
ear park that runs along
the Barada river. It’s
revitalises and englobes
the river through the
insertion of a pathway
on each side connected
by several bridges.
— An installation of
vertical wooden pillars
are distributed
throughout the river
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
banks. Each pillar sym-
bolises the nostalgic
Damask rose, a local
flower withering in the
city due to the war.
Within this grid, a variety
of removable multifunc-
tional structures are
inserted to bring life to
the pubic open space.
— 51 —
Through the
river and
towards
the heritage.
Beauty
will save
the world.
B O M Architecture
— Instead of imposing
a particular definition of
public space on Damas-
cus, this project aims to
activate already existing
elements in a way sensi-
tive to the needs of its
inhabitants.
Within the additions
and alterations that the
buildings undergo, we
can notice the prevalent
informality. Examples
of such alterations are
informal loggias and
shading structures on
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
the roofs, all of which
tell a lot about what the
people need, since what
the inhabitants choose
to add is what they lack.
The interventiontack-
les both external vs.
internal public space
and horizontal vs. verti-
cal connections, each
portrayed through a sec-
tional model that cuts
through the different
layers of the site, both
public and private.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
B O M Architecture
— By creating a space
for resting and staying
as well as a place for ac-
tivities and movements,
the urban landscape
will be redesigned into
accessible platforms.
The abandonned Al
Halwania Mill is reused
as an extension of this
landscape, functioning
as an internal public
space.
The roof of the court-
yard houses is put to
use by inserting a plug-
in staircase that not only
provides access from
the courtyard to the
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
roof, but also shades
the roof, thus activating
a previously overlooked
space.
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
B O M Architecture
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
B O M Architecture
B OM A rchit ec tu re
— Paris, France
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
contradictory historical contexts; as one examines the
countries of France, Morocco, and Iran separately.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Sara Zarrou
Sara was born in Morocco and graduated with a Master’s
degree in Architecture from the Ecole d’Architecture de
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Daniel Garcia
Daniel Garcia was born in Spain and graduated with a Mas-
ter’s degree in Architecture from the Universidad Politécni-
ca de Madrid, where he learned the importance of details
in the early stages of design.
Claudia Aracci
Claudia Aracci was born in Italy and graduated with a
Master’s degree in Architecture from the Swiss Acca-
demia di Architettura di Mendrisio. She also has a Post-
graduate Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture
from the ETHZ of Zurich.
— 62 —
B O M Architecture
Stud ents
—
V O I D S C A P E A S H E R I TA G E ?
Arianna Dalla Cia Giacomo Pincerato
Marianna Dalla Porta Jlenia Polesello
Marta De Rossi Elena Popescu
Alessia De Zotti Serge Saab
Adam Eduard Matteo Sambugaro
Bamhaoud El Mehdi Rime Samiri
Maria Eleftherochorinou Lorenzo Scanferla
Marie Eve Beaudette Maha Sobhy
Sotiria Fasoi Maddalena Stoppato
Beatrice Fassina Micaela Tedone
Gabriele Feraco Filippo Tonel
Sebastiano Fugolo Nikolaos-Romanos Tsokas
Francesca Giardina Silvia Valentini
Vittoria Granata Riccardo Valentini
Sally Itani Sarin Vosgerichian
Tildem Kirtak Mohamed Yasser Hariss
Jonah Klinghoffer Alessandro Zanin
Nikolaos Kofopoulos Valentina Zarantoniello
Bin Leonardo
Ignes Lesauskas
Beatrice Lucchetta
Iliana Maistrou
Evgeniya Mamulova
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture / Voidscape As Heritage?
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Francesco Cacciatore
RUBBLE
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
OR RUINS?
Francesco Cacciatore
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
RUBBLE
OR RUINS?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Francesco Cacciatore
Rubble Or Ruins?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Palmyra
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Francesco C acciatore
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Francesco C acciatore
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Francesco C acciatore
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Francesco C acciatore
PALMYRA
- 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
Population
2004 55,062
2017 51,015
Description
Palmyra is a city in the centre of Syria, administratively part of the
Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian
Desert, northeast of Damascus and southwest of the Euphrates River.
Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one
of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The ruins
of ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated about
500 m southwest of the modern city centre. The modern city is built
along a grid pattern.
— 11 —
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 17 —
Francesco C acciatore
In trod uction
—
Gi orgia C esaro, Ma rcello G a lio t to , A le ssa nd ra Ra mpaz zo
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
how the city was created, narrating about the men
and the gods who fell in love with it, planting the
foundations of their homes there. We can imagine
how the Gran Khan listened to Marco Polo’s tales
without raising an eyebrow. How could Polo level
with the sovereign’s dark cynical mood?
— 19 —
1 — Calvino I., “Le Città these pieces of lost cities in a new city, where dust
Invisibili”, Mondadori,
Milano, 1993. and debris are hosted as a necessary matter to re-
semble an invisible past offered as a future vision.
2 — Kahn L.I., “Archi-
tecture comes from Polo recounts, “as this wave from memories flows in,
the making of a Room”. the city soaks it up like a sponge and expands. A de-
Drawing for City/2 Exhi-
bition, Charcoal on trac-
scription of [Palmyra] as it is today should contain all
ing paper, Philadelphia [Palmyra’s] past. The city, however, does not tell its
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Francesco C acciatore
Mater Materia
Al essandra Rampaz zo
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
meter. Those two Latin references bring a more phil-
osophical and theological level to it, and, in particu-
lar, to Demetra, the Greek goddess for fertility. The
idea of “matter”, for the ancient Greek, was “putting
together the idea of maternal love and the concept of
changing nature, i.e. a living matter”3.
— 21 —
5 – Jackson J.B., “The
Necessity for Ruins”, If J.B. Jackson in his The Necessity for Ruins5 states
MIT Press, Usa, 1980. that only ruins have the power to stimulate the re-
generation after a traumatic event, through a back-to-
origins process, we can acknowledge that rubble can
be transformed into ruins thanks to our perception of
them: as Augé says, the cultural and historical mean-
ing states the difference between the two.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Francesco C acciatore
C atch the s p a c e
—
Francesco C acciato re
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
same in both cases: students were called to make
scale models out of plaster (gypsum powder). The
use of this specific material implied that the work
had to be handmade. Handling physical matter be-
comes the main act of the design phase. Making
a plaster model, following its three-step process
(making the mould, pouring the plaster mix, remov-
ing the mould), is deeply connected with the idea
and meaning of space, the understanding of which
is fundamental for the learning process.
— 23 —
mould indeed divides the designed space from the
rest. The last step (that is also a form of abstrac-
tion) is the mould removal, clearing the solid plas-
ter. The process of removing layers of cardboard,
which constructed the mould, lets the student
gradually discover the designed space: it emerges
thanks to the subtraction of matter. The described
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
um, a series of public terraces facing the oasis and the
archaeological site, and large rainwater tanks. These
functions are organised by level, from the ground floor
to the top. The exhibition of large proportion archaeo-
logical remains is hosted between level 0.00 m and
level + 3.00 m. Moreover, a cosy place is dug out of the
masses meant to offer a protected seat in the shade,
and flowing water pouring out of a fountain. Terraces
are located at level + 6.00 m pointing towards the
ancient ruins and the landscape. The roof, at level +
12.00 m, is tilted inwards in order to collect rainwater
and convey it in protected tanks.
— 25 —
The future
will not
create ruins,
it does not
have time
for it.
Marc Aug è, Le Temps en R u in s
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 27 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— Palmyra.
Urban models.
Scale 1:2500
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 33 —
Box 01
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Luca Muffato
Lorenzo Zorzi
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 34 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 35 —
Box 02
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Piero Bigatello
Ambra Tieghi
Gloria Tombolato
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 36 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 39 —
Box 05
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Daniel Bruscagin
Giulia Levorato
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 40 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Francesco C acciatore
— Realization of plaster
model.
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 47 —
Box 10
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Thomas Furnari
Francesco Gallone
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 48 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 53 —
Box 15
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Leonardo Giacon
Enrico Marconato
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 54 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 55 —
Box 16
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— Axonometric view.
The elements
of the project:
store, walk, visit,
look, rest.
— Plaster models.
(top left)
Project’s development.
Model real scale 1:400
(top right)
Model real scale 1:200
(bottom)
Front view.
Model real scale 1:50
— 56 —
Francesco C acciatore
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
Francesco C acciatore
— Detailed models.
Scale 1:50 (bottom).
— Exhibition layout.
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Francesco C acciatore
Francesco C a c c ia to re
— Venice, Italy
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
due deserti (Letteraventidue 2012); Il vuoto condi-
viso. Spazialità complesse nelle residenze contem-
poranee (Marsilio 2016).
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Giorgia Cesaro
Architect, graduated from the Academy of Architecture
of Mendrisio in 2013. She worked at Aires Mateus Arqui-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Marcello Galiotto
Architect and PhD in Architectural Design. He is a found-
ing partner of the architecture and urban design practice
[A+M]2 Architects, based in Venice since 2012. He worked
as a staff architect at Sou Fujimoto Architects in Tokyo
(JP) in 2015. He has been a teaching assistant at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia since 2010.
Alessandra Rampazzo
Architect and PhD in History of Architecture. She is a
founding partner of the architecture and urban design
practice [A+M]2 Architects, based in Venice since 2012.
She has been a teaching assistant at Università Iuav di
Venezia since 2010. In addition to practicing and teaching,
she fostered research activities between Italy and India.
— 62 —
Francesco C acciatore
Stud ents
—
RUBBLE OR RUINS?
Thomas Furnari
Francesco Gallone
Leonardo Giacon
Giulia Levorato
Alessandro Magro
Enrico Marconato
Luca Muffato
Alberto Nalesso
Lorenzo Nigro
Gianluca Perini
Van Linh Phan Ngoc
Luca Piazzon
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore / Rubble Or Ruins?
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Ricardo Carvalho
— KOBANE / 36°53’22”N 38°21’12”E
IS TIME A
RAW MATERIAL?
Ricardo Carvalho
— KOBANE / 36°53’22”N 38°21’12”E
IS TIME A
RAW MATERIAL?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Ricardo Carvalho
Is Time A Raw Material?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Kobane
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Ricardo C ar valho
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Ricardo C ar valho
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Ricardo C ar valho
KOBANE
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Kobanî, officially Ayn al-Arab, is a Kurdish town in the north of Syria,
immediately south of the border with Turkey, and it is a city in the Aleppo
Governorate. The majority of inhabitants were Kurds, with Arab, Turkmen,
and Armenian minorities. Kobane has been a battleground between
Islamic State (IS) militants and Kurdish fighters since September 2014,
when IS fighters overran the small northern Syrian town, forcing almost
all of its civilians to flee into Turkey.
— 11 —
Turkish Border
KOBANE
to Aleppo
0 5 km
Turkish Border
to Aleppo
0 1 km
KOBANE
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 17 —
Ricardo C ar valho
In trod uction
—
Al essandro Dal C orso
1 – Gleick H. Peter,
The arduous task we had to face was not only to re- “Water, Drought, Climate
store the pre-war conditions of Syria, but also to initi- Change, and Conflict in
ate a virtuous process that could drive the country to Syria”, July 2014.
— 19 —
policies. Starting from 2006 drought pushed Syrian
farmers to migrate to urban centers, increasing ur-
ban pressure and social tensions.
— 20 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 21 —
1 – UIKI ONLUS, 2017. Moreover, ISIS systematically destroyed all the sym-
bols re-echoing civil societies, like schools and hos-
pitals, leaving behind only numerous minefields. On
the Northern battlefront, due to its Kurdish majority,
Turkey has built a 700km barrier, making its border
impenetrable. Today, Kobane — decaying, without
water, and with an instable geopolitical situation —,
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 23 —
relation between architecture and infrastructure that
today still constitute a collective memory expressed
through physical matter. The aqueduct is an element
that architects and engineers of the past used to ex-
periment in transforming the territory: these projects
depicted landscapes and fragments of cities, be-
coming indissoluble. Today, they are also intertwined
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Ricardo C ar valho
B ibliograph y
—
UIKI ONLUS – Ufficio di informazione del Kurdistan in Italia, “Report sulla
situazione attuale in Kurdistan”, Marzo 2017.
— 25 —
Re-founding
the city
according
to a new
infrastructural
system that
involves city
reconstruction
as well.
— 27 —
Ricardo C ar valho
TURKEY
Kobane
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Aleppo SYRIA
IRAQ
2014
TURKEY
Kobane
SYRIA
Aleppo
IRAQ
II millennium, The
Syrian area was
point of conten- Between 266 and In the VII century, From 1517 Syria
tion between 272 b.C, Palmira the Syrian region went under the
Egyptian, Assyrian became an indip- was conquered by control of the Ot-
and Hittities endent kingdom the Arabs toman Empire
From the 539 b.C, From the 395 b.C. In 639 a.C
Syria fell under it became part Damasco became
the control of of the Eastern one of the most
Persians Roman Empire important cent-
ers for Muslim
believers
— 28 —
Ricardo C ar valho
2015
TURKEY
Kobane
Aleppo
SYRIA
IRAQ
2017
SYRIA
Aleppo
IRAQ
In 1945, the
In 1922 the Otto- country decleared
The constuction man empire was war to Japan and
of the Berlin - destroyed, Syria Germany, entering
Baghdad railway went under the in the Second
line began in 1903 French control World War
— 29 —
— BEFORE BOMBING
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
In 1962 the
In 1948 Syria got newborn nation The first protests
involved in the declared itself against the gov-
Arab-Israelian “Arab Republic of ernement started ISIS foundation
conflict Syria” in 2011 (2014)
— 30 —
Ricardo C ar valho
DAMAGES
Kurds opposed to
the ISIS’s advance
in Kobane (Janu-
ary 2015)
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
1
2
1
1
1
Ricardo C ar valho
1 3
1
1
3 1 4
1 4
1. Schools
1 2. Offices
3. Prison
4. Clinics
Public- administrative
buildings
Mosques
Commercials buildings
Bombed areas
Main roads
Secondaries roads
Cemetery
Idric Tower
— 33 —
— WATER SYSTEM
TURKEY
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
480 m
650 m
Ziyarete
Ziyarete
Karkamis
Karkamis
580 m
Jarabulus
Jarabulus
Cib Elferec
Talik Derbenobè
Mezin
340 m
Talik
Zekeriya
Zekeriya
— 34 —
Ricardo C ar valho
TURCHIA
547 m
TURCHIA
Kobane
547 m
Kobane
475 m
650 m
523 m Ghasaniyeh
Ghasaniyeh
523 m Ghasaniyeh
580 m
560 m
560 m
Water
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— AQUEDUCT PATH
— 36 —
615 a.s.l.
594 a.s.l.
Mamit
570 a.s.l.
548 a.s.l.
535 a.s.l.
Ricardo C ar valho
Kobane
535 a.s.l.
Kobane
48 a.s.l.
Ghasaniyeh
Sheran
- Aleppo
way
Ghasaniyeh
Kobane
Sheran
o way - Alepp
Aqueduct
— 37 —
60% Valves 20%, pipes 25%, 40% Valves 15%, pipes 10%,
generator 15% generator 15%
Total of 19,920 km Total of 4,539 km
DAMS SYSTEM
Kobane is located 35 km
away from the Assad
lake, a natural basin
created by the Eufrate
river, that flows from the
Turkish upland and goes
to the north-eastern part
of Syria. In the Assad
lake there are two big
dams where Syria takes
electricity and water:
Tabque dam and Tichri-
enne dam. In february
2017 Turkey stopped the
water provision sistem
in Syria, closing both
dams.
— 38 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— AGRICULTURE
From 2014, it has tobacco, vegetables,
become impossible for tomatoes, potatoes
local agriculture to grow, and citrus fruits in the
due to the dryness, the mountainous areas, suit-
consequent lack of wa- able products to the arid
ter and the distruction of Syrian weather. Kobane
the wells by the Isis. In is the most fertile area
the land that surrounds in the northern part of
Kobane the soil is suit- the country, by the turk-
able for the plantation ish border. Towards the
of: cereals, cotton, olive southern territory the
trees, pomegranate, soil becomes dryer.
pistachio, beetroot,
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— AGRICOLTURE
— 40 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Springs System
Arid-not Cultivable
Fertile Areas-Cultivated
Dismissed Area
— 41 —
— WATER / AQUEDUCT ATLAS
Kayseri
Aksaray
TURKEY
Konya
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Adana
Adalia
CYPRUS
LEBANON
Damascus
WEST
JORDAN
JORDAN
Jerusalem
ISRAEL
— 42 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Malatya
Malatya
Batman
Mardin
Sanliurfa
Batman
Gaziantep
Kobane Mardin
Sanliurfa
Mossul
Gaziantep
Aleppo
Kobane
Mossul
Aleppo
SYRIA
Bagdad
IRAQ
Bagdad
IRAQ
National Border
Aqueducts
Water
reaching upward to has lowered the water led to the development ficult, but also the social
windtowers above roof table and qanat system. of renovation criteria organization associated
level. Air caught by the Recently three sites were which included: a stable with a qanat has major
windtowers, which are chosen for renovation; groundwater level, a implications on its future
oriented to prevailing each one still had signifi- consistent underground viability (Wessels, 2000).
summer winds, is forced cant quantities of flow- tunnel construction;
down the shaft, circu- ing water. The selection social cohesion in the
01
02
— PLACE — ADVANTAGES 01 AQUEDUCT OF 02 QANAWAT
be found over much (1) putting the majority PERGE AQUEDUCT
of Syria of the channel under- DATE In the 2nd and 3rd DATE Roman time
HEADSTREAM In the ground reduces water century A.D. PLACE Qanawat, As-
dry mountain basins loss from seepage and PLACE 20 kilometers Suwayda Governorate,
of present-day Iran evaporation; (2) since east of the modern city Syria
invented by Persians the system is fed entire- of Antalya SOURCE www.get-
DATE In the early part of ly by gravity, the pumps SOURCE www.waterhis- tyimages.com, James
the first millennium B.C. are eliminated; and (3) it tory. org/histories/ Gordon
SOURCE www.waterhis- exploits groundwater as aspendos/,
tory.org/histories/ a renewable resource. Bernard Gagnom
qanats/
— 44 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— AQUEDUCT OF PERGE
The city of Perge was produced a soothing In the southeast corner and separate bathing
surrounded by a wall effect during the hot of the agora there was areas differentiated by
and divided into 4 sec- summers. There was a latrine. Water ran water temperature. An
tions by two colonnaded an agora located in the through the latrine in a underground network of
streets. The street run- southern end of the col- continuous flow. It was pipes supplied the bath
ning north to south had onnaded street. It was connected to Perge’s with clean water.
a 2-meter-wide canal the commercial, social, main drainage canal.
running down its center. and political heart of Also at the southern end
The canal had check the city. The agora was of the colonnaded, the
structures every 7 to 8 a square surrounded by street was a large bath.
meters to pool the water shops, some opening in- Since most residential
and facilitate cleaning. ward and some outward units had no bathing
There were walkways to the street. At the facilities, every Roman
over canal. The sound center of the agora there city had public baths.
of water falling over was a circular water Perge’s Southern Bath
the barriers must have reservoir and a fountain. had hot and cold water
04 06
03 THE BRIDGE DELAL 04 WATERWHEEL 05 ANTIOCH AQUEDUCT 06 ASPENDOS AQUEDUCT
PLACE Over the Khabur AND AQUEDUCT IN DATE Roman time DATE constructed in the
Tigris river in the town HAMA PLACE Antioch, Turkey first half of the 2nd century
of Zakho, in southern DATE Roman age SOURCE www.padfield. PLACE 45 km east of
Kurdistan PLACE Orontes River in com/ turkey/antioch- modern Antalya, in
SIZE 114 metres long Hama, Syria pisidia/index.html south-central Turkey
and 15.5 metres high PHOTO Yasser Tabbaa STRUCTURE Incor-
SOURCE www. COPYRIGHT Aga Khan porated bridges and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Documentation Center at MIT tunnels.
Pira_Delal, Moplayer SOURCE www. SOURCE www.waterhis-
archnet.org/media_con- tory.org/histories/
tents/111092, Moplayer aspendos/
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— AQUEDUCT PROPOSAL
— 48 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— INFRASTRUCTURE
-
-
— 50 —
— 51 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 52 —
— 53 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— BOULEVARD PROPOSAL
— 54 —
— 55 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— GREEN BELT
— 56 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Hydric Towers
Arboreal Coltivation
Cereals
Legumes
— 57 —
The aqueduct
is an element
of this time
that will,
however,
exist beyond
the limits of
time itself.
— 59 —
Ricardo C ar valho
— 60 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Ricard o C ar va lh o
— Lisbon, Portugal
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Andrea Cremasco
After studying in Venice and Lisbon, he graduated at Uni-
versità Iuav di Venezia in 2012. Today, he collaborates
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Marco Meggiato
Born in Vicenza on 23/08/1992, he graduated in Architec-
ture at Università Iuav di Venezia. He continued his studies
in the same university and has specialised in Architecture:
Techniques and Design in 2016/2017.
— 62 —
Ricardo C ar valho
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho / Is Time A Raw Material?
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
FUTURE
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
ALEPPO.
TRACES OF
Armando Dal Fabbro
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
ALEPPO.
TRACES OF
FUTURE
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
28 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 17 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 19 —
The past city and the future one could live together in
the present, if able to refuse any kind of imposed form.
So the ancient city will rise with the new one, with
the same fervour, evoking the strength that has con-
tributed to make Aleppo bigger and greater since the
very beginning.
— 20 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
A leppo. Trac es of fu tu re
—
Armando Dal Fabbro
— 21 —
previous phases, is stronger because in this region
the advent of Islam has not represented a break
with the ancient tradition. Syrian cities, differently
from many other European cities, that developed a
period of stasis with the end of the Roman Empire,
have enjoyed a new creative propulsion, keeping
the same main lines of the previous urban struc-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 23 —
Therefore, the Monument is intended as a re-foun-
dation action of the city. Starting from what has
been left in time, remains and elements that bring
memory will be re-used in the interpretation of the
contemporary city. Monuments belong to the fu-
ture, for this reason, they are distinctive signs of
re-construction: you must start from monuments
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 25 —
the well-known and familiar image of the minarets
that have already crowded the ancient city.
— 26 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
B ibliograph y
—
Augé M., “Rovine e macerie. Il senso del tempo”, Bollati Boringhieri, To-
rino, 2004.
Cezar M., “Typical commercial buildings of the Ottoman classical period
and the Ottoman construction system”, Ankara, Türkiye Is Bankasi Cul-
tural Publications, 1983.
Eldem E., Goffman D. and Masters B., “The Ottoman city between East
and West: Aleppo, Izmir, and Istanbul”, Cambridge University press, Cam-
bridge, 1999.
Marcus A., “The Middle East on the eve of modernity: Aleppo in the eight-
eenth century”, Columbia University press, New York, 1989.
Neglia G. A., “Aleppo: processi di formazione della città medievale is-
lamica”, Poliba press, Bari; Arti grafiche Favia, Modugno, 2009.
— 27 —
Aleppo is
waiting for
something
more than a
project.
The city
needs a
strategy.
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
LA FORMA URBIS
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
BEIT GHAZALEH
BEIT JUNBLATT
BAB AL-HADID — Principal monument
of the urban and archi-
MADRASA AL-UTHMANIYAH
tectural stratification
KHAN QURT BAK
SINAGOGA CENTRAL
BAB ANTAKYA
CITADEL
BEHRAMIYAH MOSQUE
AL-SHIBANI CHURCH
AL SAFFAHIYAH MOSQUE
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
UNA STRATEGIA PER LA NUOVA ALEPPO
0 100
500
1000
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Al-Otrush Mosque.
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Al-Shibani Church.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
A A
— Bab Qinnasrin.
— 41 —
A concentric
project
strategy.
Two rings:
the stone city
and the
green city.
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
A B
A-A
B-B
— 44 —
A B
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Behramiyah Mosque.
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Great Mosque.
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Hammam Yalbugha.
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Khusruwiyah Mosque.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— Madrasa Al-Uthmaniyah.
— 55 —
Monuments
belong to
the future.
Destruction as
re-construction,
first element
of a new
project.
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
A rmand o Da l Fa bb ro
— Venice, Italy
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Camilla Donantoni
Graduate cum laude in Architecture, Construction, and Con-
servation at Università Iuav di Venezia, she attended a Master
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Anna Fabris
Graduate with full marks in Architecture for the Old and
the New at Università Iuav di Venezia with a thesis on the
regeneration of the Lignano Sabbiadoro spa complex. To-
day, she works at the professional studio Fabris Architec-
ture. Since 2017, she has been collaborating at Iuav with
prof. Armando Dal Fabbro.
Matteo Piacentini
Bachelor Degree in Environmental Architecture at the Politec-
nico of Milano. Today, he is a thesis student of prof. Armando
Dal Fabbro at Università Iuav di Venezia for the Graduate De-
gree Programme in Architecture for the Old and the New.
Francesco Soriani
Graduate with full marks in Architecture for the Old and
the New at Università Iuav di Venezia, with a thesis on
the recovery of the archaeological area of Colle Oppio in
Rome. He participated at national and international design
competitions. Since 2016, he has been collaborating at
Iuav with prof. Armando Dal Fabbro.
— 62 —
Ar mando D al Fab b ro
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro / Aleppo. Traces Of Future
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
MA’LŪLĀ
REINVENTING
Salma Samar Damluji
— MA’LŪLĀ / 33°50’44”N 36°32’52”E
REINVENTING
MA’LŪLĀ
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Ma’Lūl ā
19 Introd uction
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Salma Samar Damluji
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Salma Samar Damluji
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Salma Samar Damluji
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Salma Samar Damluji
MA’LŪLĀ
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
Population
2004 2,762
2017 NA
Description
Ma’Lūlā is a small village about 60 km north of Damascus, facing the
Syrian-Lebanon border. It is nested in the foothills of the Qalamoun
Mountain, consisting of three plateaus: 1,000, 1,500, and 1,750 metres
high. Its fresh air, narrow irregular alleys, arid landscapes, and the pres-
ence of numerous springs and orchards make it very picturesque. It is
one of the last places in the world where a form of Aramaic (the old
Semitic dialect that dates back to obscure invaders of the second mil-
lennium before Jesus Christ) is spoken.
— 11 —
MA’LŪLĀ
Alqalamoun Mount
to Damascus
0 5 km
Al Qutayfah
Jabadeen
0 1 km
Mar Takla
MA’LŪLĀ
Ayn At Tinah
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
X
— 16 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 17 —
Salma Samar Damluji
In trod uction
—
Viola Ber t ini, Celes t e D a Bo it , G ia d a S av ia ne
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
which each group was assigned.
Village layout
Housing
— 19 —
case study in order to experiment new housing solu-
tions. The remaining traces of the pre-existing hous-
es were considered as a footprint to be followed in
the reconstruction process, so as to not modify the
general sense of the space. After defining the overall
layout of the plot, a project of a courtyard house was
developed in detail, trying to match the traditional do-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Homage to Ma’lūlā
— 20 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 21 —
D estru c tio n a n d rec on s t ru ct i on :
p o s t- w a r la n dsc a p es
—
S a lma S a ma r D a mluji
An introduction to reconstruction
Theory or practice?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Salma Samar Damluji
elling cities and flattening buildings. “But there has 1 — Bevan R., “The
Destruction of Memory,
always been another war against architecture going Architecture at War”,
on - the destruction of the cultural artefacts of an en- London, 2006, Introduc-
tion, p.8.
emy, people or nation as a means of dominating, ter-
rorising, dividing or eradicating it altogether”1. Bevan 2 — ibid.
suggests that “it is a tactic often conducted away
from the frontline”; in fact, events in Iraq, Yemen, and
Syria have proved the contrary: the cultural destruc-
tion and devastation of Iraq’s urban landscape was
part of the agenda. The Baghdad Museum and Pal-
myra were both in the frontline for the consolidation
of the occupation: started by the US and continued
by “so called” ISIS.
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
of hospitals and schools in Syria, Yemen, and Af-
ghanistan. This was no longer collateral but inten-
tional damage: it is a dark background and sequence
of events that barely sketches the backdrop to the
complex configuration and destruction course that
cities have been subjected to.
— 23 —
swathes of history or culture urges the need to re-search
the distant and recent past. Reading destruction means
rewriting the layers of meaning, recreating the power of
the lost and destroyed fragments of place.
— 24 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
Reconstruction speaks of a reconciliation system be-
tween two lives and periods: the pre and post dam-
age, the inhabited and deserted landscape, between
loss and recovery. As with the building projects we
worked on in Yemen, ironically in the years prior to
the current war 2007-2014: natural catastrophes and
economic and political upheavals (like wars), con-
tributed to the state of destruction and collapse and
required immediate emergency measures to mitigate
the danger and threat in the urban fabric, rehabilitat-
ing and reconstructing it where possible. Hence, the
process is one that is inclusive of rethinking and re-
inventing. And each case presents us with a different
schema, in redrawing the original settlement, town or
neighbourhood layers that form the matrix.
— 25 —
ology that would guide the line of inquiry for the ele-
ments of destruction and reconstruction. This was the
challenge in rethinking Ma’lūlā.
— 26 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
B ibliograph y
—
Revedin J. “La Ville Rebelle”, Alternatives, Paris, 2015.
Bevan R., “The Destruction of Memory, Architecture at War”, Reaktion
Books, London, 2006.
— 27 —
Reconstruction
speaks of a
reconciliation
system
between two
lives and
periods: the
pre and post
damage.
— 29 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Salma Samar Damluji
— Schematic representa-
tion of the three main
layers characterizing
Ma’lūlā: the buildings,
the river and the fields.
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— Masterplan project:
saturation of the
empty spaces with
new buildings, creation
of new public gardens
and courts, planning of
new agricultural lands
and drawing of an
artificial lake.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
— 39 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
— 41 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
— 43 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
A new
lexicon is
required for
our work as
architects, in
referring to
and dealing
with post-war
“strategies”.
— 45 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Salma Samar Damluji
— Project of rebuilding
of a quarter of houses
(ground floor and first
floor).
— Section study of a
new typology of contem-
porary house in Ma’lūlā:
the typical elements are
combined together with
modern features.
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
— 53 —
To reconsider
and propose
reconstruction
and change
in Syria,
as fact
and not
fiction.
— 55 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
Salma Samar Damluji
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Salma Samar Damluji
Salma S ama r D a m lu ji
— Beirut, Lebanon
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
roccan Ceramics (1993) with John Hedgecoe, The
Architecture of Oman (1998), The Architecture of the
UAE (2006) and The Architecture of Yemen (2007).
Her latest The Other Architecture: Geometry, Earth
and Vernacular (Leçon Inaugurale de l’École de Chail-
lot), was published in Paris in 2015 and short listed
at the Académie d’Architecture for the Prix du Livre
d’Architecture, in November 2015.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Viola Bertini
Viola Bertini graduated in Architecture at the Politecnico
di Milano and got a PhD in Architectural Composition at
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Celeste Da Boit
Celeste Da Boit graduated in Architecture at Università
Iuav di Venezia. She is a freelancer, collaborating with dif-
ferent professional studios. She continues her academic
experience as teacher assistant.
Giada Saviane
Giada Saviane graduated in Architecture at Università Iuav
di Venezia. She is a freelancer, collaborating with different
professional studios. She continues her academic experi-
ence as teacher assistant.
— 62 —
Salma Samar Damluji
Stud ents
—
R E I N V E N T I N G M A’ L Ū L Ā
Maria Elena De Venanzi Alessandro Zanetti
Enrico Dell’Olivo Qi Zhang
Filippo Dottor
Sara Fabretti
Nilo Forcellini
Carlos Fuentes
Maria Gomez Del Rosario
Arianna Gorin
Vera Granger
Davide Grendene
Laura Guglielmin
Zhai Huihong
Tazio Emanuele Leoni
Maria Lonardoni
Simone Lorenzon
Gianluca Maggio
Maisa Mubashira Mahi
Damiano Marin
Serena Martinelli
Martina Melzi
Erika Michelazzo
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji / Reinventing Ma’Lūlā
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
SCAR
Fernanda De Maio
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
THE ALEPPO’S
OUT OF FOCUS.
Fernanda De Maio
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
OUT OF FOCUS.
THE ALEPPO’S
SCAR
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Fernanda De Maio
Out Of Focus. The Aleppo’s Scar
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia,VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Fernanda D e Maio
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Fernanda D e Maio
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Fernanda D e Maio
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Fernanda D e Maio
ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 17 —
Fernanda D e Maio
In trod uction
—
Al essandro De S avi, E lisa Pet r iccio li
— 19 —
practice of “doing”. “Doing” becomes the completion
of the cognitive activity. The project thus becomes
a necessary aspect of the knowledge activity. If the
case-study building was built in concrete to stage a
ruin, the new architectures that complement it stand
out for their golden surface.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Fernanda D e Maio
Why this war? Are the guilty parties for the crisis in
the Middle East area evident? In terms of geo-political
aspects, it is only evident that what we call “the Syr-
ian civil war” thrusts Syria and the Middle East into
chaos, where many characters play a significant part
and enrich themselves at the expense of the Syrian
population. Shall we – people from the West – say
— 21 —
voke the students of the workshop, on issues that are
hidden behind the title Syria, the making of the future:
post-war reconstruction, heritage, collective mem-
ory, ecology, private and public pain, sudden losses,
death, broken childhoods, grotesque army oppres-
sion, and the difficulty to achieve freedom. Freedom
is the only tool for the respect of cultural differences:
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 23 —
1 — For the role played relicts of war? In the vision of some people, and in the
by Urbanism and Archi-
tecture before the Syrian critical positions of some architects and urban plan-
civil war, see Al Sabouni ners, architecture and urbanism of the 20th century are
M., “Battle for Home:
The Vision of a seen as engines of violence and segregations1. But it
Young Architect”, is an old theory. Is it possible to rehabilitate some of
Thames&Hudson, 2016.
the modern (guilty) concepts of architecture and urban-
2 — Many towns are ism as tools to create new directions for future Syrian
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Fernanda D e Maio
B ibliograph y
—
Al Sabouni M., “Battle for home: The vision of a young architect”,
Thames&Hudson, London, 2016.
Bassanelli M., Postiglione G. (eds.), “Re-enacting the past. Museography
for conflict heritage”, Lettera 22, Siracusa, 2013.
— 25 —
Aleppo’s
Room
contains the
indoors and
outdoors of
the city.
— 27 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 28 —
— 29 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 30 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
— 39 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 40 —
— 41 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 42 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 46 —
— 47 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 50 —
— 51 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 52 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 56 —
— 57 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 58 —
— 59 —
Fernanda D e Maio
— 60 —
Fernanda D e Maio
Fernand a D e M a io
— Naples, Italy
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Alessandro De Savi
MA Architect (Iuav - ULB). Teaching assistant at the Atel-
ier for heritage architecture (prof. F. De Maio - Iuav). Cur-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Elisa Petriccioli
MA Architect (Iuav). Teaching assistant and research fel-
low (prof. F. De Maio - Iuav). Since 2008 she holds her own
architecture practice in Venice.
Vittoria Sarto
BA degree in Architecture (Iuav - UPV/EHU - ETSAB). Cur-
rently working on her final project for the master at Iuav.
Teaching assistant at W.A.Ve. 2016 - Burden of dreams
(prof. F. De Maio - Iuav).
Alessia Scudella
BA degree in Architecture (Iuav - UPV/EHU). Currently
working on her final project for the master at Iuav. Teach-
ing assistant at W.A.Ve. 2016 - Burden of dreams (prof. F.
De Maio - Iuav).
— 62 —
Fernanda D e Maio
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio / Out Of Focus. The Aleppo’s Scar
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia,VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
19 Introd uction
21 The l i fe li ne of Aleppo
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 17 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
In trod uction
—
Daniel Mast ret t a
— 19 —
We did not have the resources or time to develop
each individual project in detail, but the main con-
cept was strong enough to show a group effort.
— 20 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 21 —
working with the voids caused by destruction. Void
and solid interact. We are restructure semi-destroyed
houses because people who left the city will come
back to recover their lands and homes; because the
parts of buildings that are still standing should not
be demolished, for various reasons: memory, identity,
budget; all these are part of the meaning and memo-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Concept
— 22 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
Dwelling
Plaza
Aleppo has wounds from the war that run through the
old city, cutting and dividing it. The concept of the
square/plaza is presented as a unifying element that
will “stitch” the severed urban fabric together along
the line, widening and narrowing — it creeps through,
leaving a light scent of memory as it runs through.
Vegetation also began to be conceived as an element
of recovery: the vegetation planted throughout the
line and plazas will act as “stitches” that force the ur-
ban fabric, once torn from war, together, providing a
comfortable gathering space for the people and their
memories. The squares/plazas are positioned along
the line, assuming various functions based on the
— 23 —
relationships with surrounding buildings, leading to
the flourishing of public life through the experience
of shared spaces.
Memorial
Market
— 24 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
School
B ibliograph y
—
Eisenman P., Rauterberg H., “Holocaust Memorial Berlin“, Lars Müller
Publishers, Zurich, 2005.
Gehl J., “Cities for People“, Island Press, United States, 2010.
Gehl J., Gemzøe L., “New City Spaces“, Island Press, United States, 2001.
— 25 —
Life line.
Re-creating
destructed
fundamental
structures,
both physical
and social,
in a complex
city.
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 27 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 33 —
— — 34
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ﺝﺡﻱﻉ
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ﺝﺡﻱﻉ
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 37 —
Line of memory.
Re-thinking
a new future,
remembering
the past:
forgiving but
not forgetting
the scars
of war.
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Memorial
Memorial
— 40 —
School
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
Housing
Public space
Market
Public space
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
addition
open spaces
new building
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 57 —
Line of
strength.
Re-connecting
the city and its
people through
a strong link
that brings
them together.
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
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Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Daniel Mastretta
He holds a Licentiate Degree in Architecture by Universidad
Iberoamericana (2008) and a Master’s Degree in Design and
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Paola Ampudia
She obtained her Licentiate Degree in Architecture by Uni-
versidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 2014.
During 2012, she participated in an exchange programme at
Politecnico di Torino where she spent a year studying at the
Architecture Department. She has developed as an archi-
tectural designer and is currently collaborating as a Senior
Architect at Gaeta-Springall Architects since 2015.
Jacopo Sapienza
Jacopo received Graduate Degree in Architecture and In-
novation at Università Iuav di Venezia. Jacopo moved to
Mexico City in January 2016 to participate in an exchange
programme at Universidad Iberoamericana. He has collabo-
rated with Gaeta-Springall Architects until July 2017.
Giovanni Caria
Giovanni obtained his Graduate Degree in Architecture and
Innovation at Università Iuav di Venezia in 2016. He cur-
rently collaborates with multiple architecture studios in
Italy, and has collaborated with Gaeta-Springall Architects
in Mexico City since 2017.
— 62 —
Gaeta Sp r ing all Architects
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects / The Red Line Of Aleppo
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Antonella Gallo
— DOUMA / 33°34’20”N 36°24’ 06”E
OF DOUMA
THE ECHELONS
Antonella Gallo
— DOUMA / 33°34’20”N 36°24’ 06”E
THE ECHELONS
OF DOUMA
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Antonella Gallo
The Echelons Of Douma
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Douma
19 Introd uction
28 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Antonella Gallo
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Antonella Gallo
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Antonella Gallo
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Antonella Gallo
DOUMA
33°34’20”N 36°24’ 06”E
Description
Douma is about 10 km north-east of the centre of Damascus and is the
centre of the Rif Dimashq governorate (which completely surrounds the
Damascus Governorate). During the Syrian Civil War, Douma has been a
major flashpoint and had witnessed numerous demonstrations against
the Syrian government and armed clashes against the Syrian Army and
Security forces during the early stages of the conflict. These clashes
were named the Battle of Douma, a military engagement that began on
21 January 2012, after Free Syrian Army fighters changed their tactics
from attack and retreat guerrilla warfare in the suburbs of Damascus to
all-out assault on army units. Earlier in January, the FSA had taken the
town of Zabadani, and consequently gained control over large portions
of Douma. After a general offensive in the suburbs, Douma was retaken
by the Syrian army at the same time as the other rebelling suburbs.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
0 5 km
DOUMA
QABOUN
to Damascus
0 1 km
DOUMA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Antonella Gallo
— 17 —
Antonella Gallo
In trod uction
—
Laura S cala
— 19 —
While the crosses and the gray oil pump jack silhou-
ette rose up from below, a system of a few vertical
banners – black drapes with the theatrical set’s sym-
bols – hung from above, and the snake of the dry riv-
er seemed to lead us inside the room, moving slowly
among the parallelepiped tombs and the wooden
crosses, walking on the pictures of the tombs of
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Antonella Gallo
The Echelon s o f D o u m a
—
Antonella Gallo
— 21 —
2015 alone. A number that is sufficient to destroy all
the agricultural land that the population’s food secu-
rity entirely depends on. Which is why the people of
Douma had to economise on burial spaces. Hence,
the decision of the local council to dig 4-metre deep
trenches within which a double ramp reaches a se-
quence of vertically superimposed graves, built in
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Antonella Gallo
it was their graves, or those of others which were de- 1 — Freely adapted from
Omar Youssef Soulei-
stroyed that day. The regime usually buries those they mane: “The Echelons
torture in mass graves. But respect for the victims pre- of Death in Douma”
www.syriauntold.com/
vented the people of Douma from burying their dead en/2016/03/the-eche-
in the same way. As regards ISIS, they will not destroy lons-of-death-in-douma/
these graves as they have done with other types of
grave in the areas under their control. The multi-lay-
ered graves do not emerge above ground level, and
therefore do not “undermine the monotheism of God”,
by ascending too high, according to Wahhabi theology.
Perhaps one day, researchers will come to Douma in
search of an extinct civilisation. They will rediscover
the foundations of these structures and find that death
has its own echelons at Douma, just as life does”1.
— 23 —
The first situation in which space and time are au-
tonomous with respect to reality is the dream; the
second is the theatre. The theatre, like the dream,
is the place where it becomes possible to bring to-
gether past and future, distant and nearby spaces,
to see the value of things in a new and different way.
The key mechanisms of dreaming are, as we know,
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Antonella Gallo
us, along with the living survivors, of the historical 2 — Cf. Albini F., Le mie
esperienze di architetto
horizon of the policies of the massacre of war. On in Italia e all’estero, in
the same side, at the end of the room, where the river F. Bucci, F. Irace (eds),
Zero Gravity. Franco
ended, a model (scale 1:25) reproduced the multi- Albini. Costruire le mo-
layered cemetery dug in the hard ground by Douma’s dernità, Triennale-Electa,
Milan 2006, pp. 75-77.
workers to give burial to the awful number of civilians
killed by daily aerial bombings. All around, inside and 3 – Letter sent by the
outside the pillars, dispersed in space, a dramatic student A.Z. to prof.
Antonella Gallo, on
forest of crosses completed the scenic architecture 14 July 2017. Object:
of the exhibition, while on one of the longer perim- Congratulations for the
W.A.Ve. results.
eter walls a set of great photographs documented
the construction of the Douma tombs. Metric, rhyth-
mic, and iconic relationships between the objects
were exploited to “build empty spaces”2, necessary
to highlight the objects and create a space that was
Letter by a student3
— 25 —
must say that the exhibition you curated struck me
and moved me a great deal. In my opinion, it caught
an ineluctable level-zero reflection on the project in
its specific context. This is a sign of a civilisation
stopping before the End, and consequently reflect-
ing on the forms that architecture can assume in the
restoral of bodies to the ground. With everything that
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Cordially, A.Z.
— 26 —
Antonella Gallo
B ibliograph y
—
Gates C., “Ancient Cities: the Archaeology of Urban Life in the Ancient
Near East and Egypt, Greece and Rome”, Taylor and Francis, Hoboken
2013. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1433810.
Hammad M., “Bel/Palmyra hommage”, Guaraldi, Rimini, 2016.
Henning A., “Die Turmgräber von Palmyra: eine lokale Bauform im kai-
serzeitliche n Syrien als Ausdruck kultureller Identität”, Rahden, Verlag
Marie Leidorf, Westf, 2013.
Hejduk J., “Victims” , Architectural Association, London, 1985.
Morton M., Kochumkulova E., Kapalova A., and Rabbat N., “Cities of the
dead: the ancestral cemeteries of Kyrgyzstan”, University of Washington
Press, Seattle, 2004.
Wiegand T. et al., “Palmyra: Ergebnisse der Expeditionen von 1902 und
1917”, H. Keller, Berlin, 1932.
— 27 —
The
silence
that
must come
before
the project.
— 29 —
Antonella Gallo
— 30 —
— 31 —
Antonella Gallo
— 32 —
— 33 —
Antonella Gallo
— 34 —
Antonella Gallo
— First exsibition
project.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Antonella Gallo
— 40 —
Antonella Gallo
— Elements of the
scenic architecture of
the exhibition: the card-
board silhouette of the
Wadi el Qubur river that
runs diagonally across
the room, total length 15
meters.
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Antonella Gallo
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Antonella Gallo
— 46 —
Antonella Gallo
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
— 49 —
Antonella Gallo
— 50 —
Antonella Gallo
— Tower of Atenatan,
Palmyra Valley of the
Tombs , (underground
level 3); model.
— Tower of Atenatan,
Palmyra Valley of the
Tombs , (underground
level 2); model.
— Tower of Atenatan,
Palmyra Valley of the
Tombs , (underground
level 1); model.
— Tower of Hairan,
Palmyra Valley of the
Tombs , (underground
level 3); model.
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Antonella Gallo
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Antonella Gallo
— The multi-layered
undrgrond graves of
Douma, reconstruction
model, scale 1:25.
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
Antonella Gallo
— The multi-layered
undrgrond graves of
Douma, plans and sec-
tions of the levels.
The Echelons of Douma.
The gravediggers have
begun digging into the
hard earth and creating a
specially layered cemetery
to allow the victims to
be laid to rest after the
old cemetery was filled
beyond capacity. The
foundations digging and
the mud bricks used to
build burial cells.
— 57 —
Culture
pity and
economy
join
in the
echelons
of Douma.
— 59 —
Antonella Gallo
— 60 —
Antonella Gallo
Antonella G a llo
— Venice, Italy
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Andrea Pastrello
Architect graduate from Università Iuav di Venezia, where
he obtained the title of PhD in Architectural Composition.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Laura Scala
Architect graduate and PhD in Architectural Composition
from Università Iuav di Venezia, with a thesis on the con-
struction of space in the first Russian Avant-garde, cum
laude and publication. She has been working as tutor of
professor Antonella Gallo since 2014.
Nicola Revolti
Graduate in Architecture: Techniques and Design at Uni-
versità Iuav di Venezia, he is currently a student of the
Postgraduate Degree Programme in Architecture Design
at the same university. After an internship experience with
professor Antonella Gallo in 2016, he has worked as tutor
at the latest W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 62 —
Antonella Gallo
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo / The Echelons Of Douma
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Sinan Hassan
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
PALMYRA OR
PALMYSYRIA
PALIMPSEST?
Sinan Hassan
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
PALMYRA OR
PALMYSYRIA
PALIMPSEST?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Sinan Hassan
Palmyra Or Palmysyria Palimpsest?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Palmyra
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Sinan Hassan
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Sinan Hassan
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Sinan Hassan
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Sinan Hassan
PALMYRA
- 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
Population
2004 55,062
2017 51,015
Description
Palmyra is a city in the centre of Syria, administratively part of the
Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian
Desert, northeast of Damascus and southwest of the Euphrates River.
Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one
of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The ruins
of ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated about
500 m southwest of the modern city centre. The modern city is built
along a grid pattern.
— 11 —
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
Syrian government
forces regained Palmyra
on 27 March 2016 after
intense fights against
ISIL fighters.
— 17 —
Sinan Hassan
In trod uction
—
Ta nia S arria
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
the most important cities in ancient Syria and one of
the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
Moreover, Palmyra holds a particular role due to the
warfare that has taken place in the area in most re-
cently times. From 2015 to March 2017, during the
Syrian war, the city was under the control of ISIL and,
as a consequence of that, it suffered much destruc-
tion, which drastically changed its face.
— 19 —
three different areas and create relations and con-
nections between them, trying to join different ele-
ments in one sole unique system.
— 20 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
among others) have crossed through, and cross-ferti-
lised, leaving their distinct marks on the majestic and
magical place. As such, it is literally a multi-layered sort
of palimpsest that was destined to its latest tragic and
dramatic fate: destined to undergo yet another round
of rewriting due to the last round and violent episode
of erasing (at the hands of some unprecedented bar-
barian terrorists, most unkind monsters in the history
of mankind). Palmyra, in spite of the above, remains a
symbolically and sentimentally charged place par excel-
lence. Because of this, it also is different from any other
place in Syria, abundantly rich of exceptional historical
places and landmarks. On the other hand, it is the cen-
tre of the Syrian steppe arid land, known as “Al Badia”,
which in turn represents the very geographical core of
the more rainy and fertile area around: the region that is
properly named the Fertile Crescent. It is also the back-
bone of the country’s integrity, as it links eastward to
Iraq and southward to Jordan. As such, it is unique in
many ways: geopolitically, socio-culturally, socio-eco-
nomically, socio-politically etc.
— 21 —
It was, in fact, a unique privilege and honour to take part
and contribute to this exceptionally positive initiative. A
highly intensive, constructive, and productive workshop
(that is, in fact, the first international one of its size and
nature, solely dedicated to tackling quality design ideas
and strategies pertaining to post-war reconstruction in
Syria). Personally, it was particularly meaningful for me
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
and photomontages where produced, following a set of
poetic themes and metaphors under the general title of
“palimpsest” and “leaning from Palmyra”. These meta-
phors (see the posters below) were not intended only
to deconstruct the meanings of reconstruction (into re-
forming, re-creating, rewriting, and re-treating), but also
to exhaust all the associative poetic meanings of the
studio as a whole. They were presented as a set of five
binary posters (the pentad of the palm-column duals),
as they represent tonal variations and iterations on the
themes of inversions and positive-negative reversals.
— 23 —
sources in the area), enlightening (indicator of cultural
dimension), blazing and razing (indicator of the violent
acts of terror, horror, and destruction by ISIS).
- The fourth of the five duals, properly coloured in
black on white and entitled “fume and exhume”, repre-
sents relevant notions of flaming, burning, burial, and
unearthing (associated with the death of the body).
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
across a layered entity. It is designed around the notion
of weaving, interlacing, and stitching the ruptures and
wounds of the historical, geographical, and socio-cul-
tural fabric of Palmyra.
— 25 —
Six different
groups of six
students that
will focus on
one of six
geographically
complementary
parts of
Palmyra.
— 27 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
— 29 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
The
pentad
of the
palm-column
duals.
— 33 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Sinan Hassan
— Group 1: X-tension.
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
— 39 —
Sinan Hassan
insertions.
— Group 2: I-conical
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Sinan Hassan
— Group 2: I-conical
insertions. Collage3.
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Sinan Hassan
— Group 2: I-conical
insertions. Collage2.
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
— 43 —
A series of
inspiring
visionary
photomontages
where
produced
under the
title of
“palimpsest”.
— 45 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
Sinan Hassan
disruptions.
— Group 3: Rhythmic
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
— 49 —
Sinan Hassan
strata.
— Group 4: E-ruptured
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
— 51 —
Sinan Hassan
in-versions.
Group 5: Subversive
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
Five binary
posters
as tonal
variations
on the
themes
of inversions
were
presented.
— 53 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
Sinan Hassan
re-writing.
Group 6: Palimpsest
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
Sinan Hassan
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Sinan Hassan
Sinan Hassa n
— Damascus, Syria
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
by the intention to challenge, and elevate the locally
prevalent standards, and by the will to place himself,
and the country, on the architectural map.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Ibraheem Ammash
Syrian architect Ibraheem H. Ammash been engaged in dif-
ferent professional practices in the UK, Syria, and Lebanon.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Martina Germanà
She received her undergraduate degree in architecture from
Università Iuav di Venezia in 2015. She studied for one year
in Beirut, at AUB, during her master in Architecture and Arts
at Iuav. She collaborated with prof. Sinan Hassan during
W.A.Ve. 2017 as part of her research on post-war recon-
struction of small villages in Syria. She has recently done an
internship with him in Beirut to further develop the topics of
her research. The issues she is developing will lead to her
final master thesis.
Lorenza Villani
She holds a bachelor degree in Scienze dell’Architettura
from Università Iuav di Venezia. She is currently enrolled
in the master program Culture del Progetto at Iuav and in
an exchange program in Urban Planning, Policy and Design
Master at the American University of Beirut.
— 62 —
Sinan Hassan
Stud ents
—
PA L M Y R A O R PA L M Y S Y R I A PA L I M P S E S T ?
Fernando Buraggi
Enrico Caldo
Cristiana Campaci
Eva Chiesa
Vittorio Cusan
Gianluca Drigo
Eliana Epifani
Lucrezia Fabrizio
Davide Guzzon
Kawthar Jeewa
Javier Jipoulou
Ahmed Kaki
Elissa Lorenzato
Carlo Magro
Alberto Matteuzzi
Hanna Medeghini
Carlotta Menegazzo
Emma Neri
Naela Rajoub
Francesca Rossi
Eugenio Santelli
Riccardo Serena
Irene Simionato
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan / Palmyra Or Palmysyria Palimpsest?
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Ammar Khammash
— HAMA / 35°08’06”N 36°45’12”E
NATURAL-
CULTURAL
HERITAGE, IS IT
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
NATURAL-
CULTURAL
HERITAGE, IS IT
ABOUT THE PAST
OR THE FUTURE?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Ammar Khammash
Natural-Cultural Heritage, Is It About The Past Or The Future?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Hama
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Ammar K hammash
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Ammar K hammash
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Ammar K hammash
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Ammar K hammash
HAMA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
Population
2009 312,994
2017 460,602
Description
Hama is a city on the banks of the Orontes River, in west-central Syria.
Located 213 km north of Damascus, Hama is the fourth-largest city in
Syria, after Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs. The city is known primarily
due to the imposing norias of the Seleucid, which lifted water from the
River Orintes and used it to irrigate vegetable and botanical gardens.
The city of Hama still possesses seventeen significant specimens of
norias (diameters ranging from 10 to 22 metres), which form an integral
part of its urban landscape and contribute to the city’s great reputation.
— 11 —
HAMA
to Homs
0 5 km
Mar Shahour
Al Orontes River
old castle site
0 1 km
HAMA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
6
Ammar K hammash
— In Hama, general
destruction is minimal.
It mostly affected the
suburbs, with several
offenses occurring in
the north of the city.
Satellite imagery has
identified 5,968 affected
structures, of which
4,969 destroyed, 345
severely damaged,
and 654 moderately
damaged. This analysis
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
does not include pre-war
military bases and
facilities.
— 17 —
Ammar K hammash
For three weeks, Hama was our city, Syria our na-
tion, the Middle East our background, and the whole
Earth our horizon. As global citizens and designers,
we tested a dozen ways to put Hama on the map of
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
the world.
— 19 —
were directly involved in the project for Hama (not
to mention all the students that provided materials
for most of the models that were exhibited in the
final presentation). Gathering old materials from
the Iuav warehouse mirrored the need of revealing,
reinterpreting, and reinventing the stratification of
ideas and concepts that steered Hama’s own devel-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Ammar K hammash
shared their on-site experience with us. Words and 1 — Tyrwhitt J., 1951,
“The Pros and Cons of
concepts mentioned by students after their first Architecture for Civil
week of research represented the first attempt to Defense. Do new towns
provide safety?”, in
encompass an intricate but fertile reality: terms like “Progressive Architec-
“return, go away, narration, interaction, community, ture” n.9, p.77.
identity, soul, politics, citizenship, control”, but also
like “walnut trees, picnic, barbecue, food, kitchen,
water”, displayed the need to break down an object-
oriented approach, toward an open manoeuvre-field
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
that could make Hama a global centre for rethinking
automation and robotics, as it was when norias were
initially set up helping the city grow and acquire its
status. By projecting Hama into the future, we ex-
perienced the possibility of reflecting upon the true
nature of cities, a fact that dates back a thousand
years and resides in producing more food than is
needed. Through automation and robotics, we would
recall and implement such approach again, reaffirm-
ing the need to overtake the idea of mere survival
that each war may imply. After all, as Jacquelin Tyr-
whitt wrote: “the only defence against death is life”1.
— 21 —
N a tu ra l- c u ltu ra l h eri t a g e, i s i t
a b o u t th e pa s t or th e f u t u re?
—
Amma r K ha mma sh
— 22 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
as a city is basically the ingenious way in which its
people have animated it since antiquity, building
norias, using the energy of the river water-flow and
pumping it to higher elevations, in order to irrigate
bigger areas and provide water for the city.
— 23 —
by the war, or add any formalistic “iconic” structures
outsmarting the original uniqueness, but also recon-
struct the fragile features of the place as well.
— 24 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
pavilions for something like a “design biennale“. At
the other end, the line of the functions enters into
a carefully sectioned narrow ramp that penetrates
the entire archaeological layering of ancient Hama,
reaching its base and exposing the full sequence
of civilisation periods accumulated in ten thousand
years. The visitor then exits at the top, where today’s
remains of the city are collected and where the visi-
tor can view the living city.
— 25 —
experiment was based on playing some elevations of
Hama historical buildings like musical composition,
using software programmes that process MIDI (Mu-
sical Instrument Digital Interface) as a protocol, al-
lowing electronic instruments and other digital musi-
cal tools to communicate with each other, or with any
virtual musical instrument, and play the architectural
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 26 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
ies around the university were directly involved in de-
sign development as well as baking, using the story
of a city in Syria (and its ancient wooden wheels) as
a source of inspiration for something new for our din-
ing tables. This “Baking for Syria” idea became real:
one bakery made 80 euros in one day with the special
baked goods and the owners of the bakery even came
to see the workshop final display. Students worked on
many other ideas, researching possibilities of crafts
and of developing new materials from the walnut tree
that grows in many Hama farms. They also worked on
the use of seeds in special mixtures as architectural
“bandage” material, to help heal the war-wounds in the
walls and tissues of the city.
— 27 —
What makes
Hama
unique is the
ingenious way
in which its
people have
animated the
rives since
antiquity.
— 29 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
— 33 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
The
geological
investigation
was pivotal to
understand
the inherent
“original site
attraction”
of Hama.
— 37 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
— 39 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
— 41 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
The noria
was used as
an icon of
Hama.
It was used
to create
backed bread
and edible
cookies.
— 43 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
The idea
was to
design a
mixture
of new
functions
for Hama.
— 49 —
Ammar K hammash
screen.
— MyHamah App loading
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
— “Sonification” of
architecture using a
patterns resulting from
the mixing blocks of
white limestone with
blocks black basalt.
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
Some
resulting
ideas can
give birth
to solutions
that can be
used to make
better built
environments.
— 55 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
Ammar K hammash
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Ammar K hammash
Ammar Kham m a s h
— Amman, Jordan
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
extensive knowledge in the geology of Jordan and its
natural features and he is one of the few architects
that are interested in medicinal plants and using them
as a viable tool in the socio-economic development.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Filippo De Dominicis
He studied Architecture in Brussels and Rome, where he
was among the recipients of the PhD in History and Theory
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 62 —
Ammar K hammash
Stud ents
—
N AT U R A L - C U LT U R A L H E R I TA G E , I S I T A B O U T T H E PA S T O R T H E F U T U R E ?
Claudio Bettarel Francesco Manganotti
Valeria Bolentini Magdalena Margesin
Laura Boliter Martino Montresor
Giovanna Bordin José Maria Muriel
Ilaria Bortolato Linda Padovani
Federica Bozzolan Alessandro Peruzzo
Vittoria Brandani Lina Player
Francesca Caloi Alvise Romanzini
Valentina Carpin Melissa Rossetti
Riccardo Carvaro Allegra Sieni
Edoardo Casagrande Marina Silvello
Valeria Cavaliere Andrea Sogliacchi
Giulia Cervi Federica Szalaiszter
Luca Ciciriello Simone Tosato
Gianmarco Costantini Massimiliano Vasta
Marta Dal Pozzo Stefano Zuccatti
Irma Delmonte
Luca Brenno Dessì
Francesca Di Bussolo
Benedetta Falcone
Barnaba Fernarese
Gianmarco Filippo
Diego Francescato
Silvia Genovese
Mattia Grigolato
Alessandro Guarese
Marco Guidetti
Aleksandar Jankovic
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash / Natural-Cultural Heritage, Is It About The Past Or The Future?
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
THE PALMYRA’S
OXYMORON:
HOW DESTRUCTION
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
CAN BE
PRESERVED?
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
THE PALMYRA’S
OXYMORON:
HOW DESTRUCTION
CAN BE
PRESERVED?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Palmyra
19 Introd uction
28 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
PALMYRA
- 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
Population
2004 55,062
2017 51,015
Description
Palmyra is a city in the centre of Syria, administratively part of the
Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian
Desert, northeast of Damascus and southwest of the Euphrates River.
Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one
of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The ruins
of ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated about
500 m southwest of the modern city centre. The modern city is built
along a grid pattern.
— 11 —
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
great temple of Ba’al,
and the Valley of the
Tombs (the large-scale
funerary monuments
outside the city walls).
Syrian government
forces regained Palmyra
on 27 March 2016 after
intense fights against
ISIL fighters.
— 17 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
In trod uction
—
Al essia Boldrin, M a nuel Minto , Ro ssella Villa ni
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
tions could be overlapped on the archaeological site
of Palmyra, to restore vital life to it, strengthen the ar-
chaeological area, and not hide or deny its historical
destruction. Palmyra is an ancient city, and today has
become an archaeological site of great value in mod-
ern times as a result of its partial destruction. We
must find a new function that valorises its past, con-
siders its present, and looks with renewed interest in
its future. The archaeological site is connected to the
contemporary city not only in physical and functional
terms, but also in deeper social terms. The relaunch
of the archaeological site can only happen through
an appreciation and reconstruction of the entire city,
in order to rebuild the community, the most precious
asset that will take care of Palmyra in the future. For
this reason, the functions that could take place in the
archaeological site must be addressed to the local
community, and not to a purely tourist operation.
— 19 —
found reflection on monumental architecture and
its construction. Each proposal explores different
portions of the project. Students were asked not to
touch the actual ground because it belongs to the
site’s archaeological history: not to touch the sur-
face because it narrates the tragic of the present.
For this reason, the projects investigate the existing
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
The ox ymoro n o f Pa lm y ra
—
Ca millo Magni - Op era st ud io
I postulate
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
agonising, is the only manner to reconcile inhabitants.
Conversely, oblivion conceals rancour and hate.
II postulate
III postulate
Palmyra: oxymoron
— 21 —
oxymoron. In this uncertainty, architectural design
could find enhancement.
Palmyra: stratification
— 22 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
palm garden. The earth-filling on the existing level
allows to host tombs, without having to excavate
the ground and the archaeological remains. A new
main path for the archaeological park are set upon
the Decumano, reviving the ancient street and in-
centivising contaminations between visitors and
Palmyra’s population.
— 23 —
flowing in the desert wind. With this image, light-
ness is directly connected to the heaviness of the
ancient columns of the Baal Temple.
A new monumentality
— 24 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
as the established principle of the cemetery area.
For this reason, an eight-meter wall delimits two
new 200x200 m square areas. These areas are dedi-
cated to burial and prayer. One square is devoted to
Islamic faith while the second to the Christian one.
For the organisation of the burial grounds, the mor-
phology of the ancient Temple of Bel was lost before
the French demolished the secondary structures at
the beginning of the last century; it was a complex
system of buildings that today has been transformed
into a tangle of tombs. In addition, a design study
on the mosque created a large 42-metre sphere as a
perfect form of dialogue with the square geometry of
the outer perimeter.
— 25 —
path overlaps a system of small museum areas dedi-
cated to archaeological excavations, entering in the
soil and studying the ruins in their ancient location.
This architectural form is an explicit evocation of the
ancient necropolis present in Palmyra, just like the
ground cover evokes the geometry of the burials.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 26 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
B ibliograph y
—
Al-As’Ad W., “Some tombs recently excavated at Palmyra”, in M. Gaw-
likowki, G. Majcherek (eds.), “Fifty Years of Polish Excavations in Pal-
myra 1959-2009”, International Conference (Warsaw, 6th-8th December
2010), Studia Palmyrenskie, XII, 2013, pp. 15-24.
Kaizer T., “The religious life of Palmyra: a study of the social patterns of
worship in the Roman period”, Stuttgart, 2002.
Kaizer T., “Religious mentality in Palmyrene documents” in Klio n.86, 1,
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
2004, pp. 165-184.
Kaizer T., “From Zenobia to Alexander the Sleepless. Paganism, Juda-
ism and Christianity at Late Roman Palmyra” in B. Bastl, V. Gassner, U.
MUSS (hrsg.), “Zeitreisen. Syrien-Palmyra-Rom. Festsschrift für Andreas
Schmidt-Colinet zum 65. Geburtstag”, Wien, 2010, pp. 113-123.
Khayyatan M. W., “Les relations étrangères de Palmyre du point de vue
commercial et religieux” in Palmyra and the Silk Road, International Col-
loquium - Palmyra 1992, (Les Annales Archéologiques Arabes Syriennes,
vol. XLII), Damascus, 1996, pp. 197-198.
Piacentini D., “The palmyrene attitudes towards death” in ARAM, 17,
2005, pp. 245-258.
Rostovtzeff M.I., “The Caravan-Gods of Palmyra”, in The Journal of Ro-
man Studies n.22, 1932, pp. 107-116.
Saito K., “Palmyrene Burial Practices from Funerary Goods” in E. Cussini
(ed.), “A journey to Palmyra. Collected Essays to Remember Delbert R.
Hillers”, Leiden, 2005, pp. 150-165.
Schnadelbach K., “Topographia Palmyrena, Documents D’archeologie
Syrienne Xviii”, Damascus, 2010.
— 27 —
Seven
stratifications
for seven
projects.
— 29 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
— 33 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
model.
— Stratification. Gypsum
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— Geometric repetition
of the temple of Bel -
strategy.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— Muslim cemetery in
the palm grove. Model.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 41 —
Why a
cemetery
in Palmyra?
— 43 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— Mosque. Section.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— Topographic strength
of a place - strategy.
— Cemetery. Axonomet-
ric projection and view.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 49 —
Scraps
of seven
projects.
— 51 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— Catholic cemetery.
View.
— Cemetery, external
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
wall up to the great
colonnade. Sections.
— Mosque. Section.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
— New hypogean
archaeological area.
View.
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
pointed adjunct professor of architectural design.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Rossella Villani
Graduate cum laude in 2016 from Università Iuav di Ven-
ezia, with a master thesis on the reconstruction for Aleppo
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Manuel Minto
Graduate cum laude in 2016 from Università Iuav di Ven-
ezia, with a master thesis on an interfaith building as a
haven for the city of Milan. He participated to various ar-
chitectural competitions and is currently working between
Italy and Portugal.
Alessia Boldrin
Graduate in Architecture and Innovation in 2017 from
Università Iuav di Venezia, with a master thesis on a
modular ecovillage for refugees in Hamburg. She is cur-
rently an intern at Guillermo Vazquez Consuegra Arqui-
tecto in Seville, Spain.
— 62 —
C amillo M ag ni - O p erastudio
Stud ents
—
T H E PA L M Y R A’ S O X Y M O R O N : H O W D E S T R U C T I O N C A N B E P R E S E R V E D ?
Marco Bonotto Andreafrancesca Zagaglia
Ludovico Cancian Giacomo Zella
Edgardo Cancino Laura Zovatto
Caterina Capuzzo
Beatrice Carraro
Francesco Cester
Pietro Cirilli
Isabella Dagostin
Francesco De Marchi
Rangelov Dimitrov Genadi
Matteo Ergazzori
Ivan Favretto
Yara Teresa Gibin
Lifu Lin
Isabella Lovato
Lorenzo Lualdi
Eva Maniero
Enrica Martignon
Cristobal Melo
Nicolò Mengoli
Nicola Misuri Fiodor
Elia Molon
Alessandro Motagner
Francesca Morello
Estefania Parada
Giacomo Picco
Francesca Pontello
Vanessa Racconci
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio / The Palmyra’s Oxymoron: How Destruction Can Be Preserved?
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Giancarlo Mazzanti
— RAQQA / 35°56’58”N 39°01’13”E
FOR SOCIAL
RE-COMPOSITION
Giancarlo Mazzanti
— RAQQA / 35°56’58”N 39°01’13”E
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Ludus, Play, And Cooperation As Mechanisms For Social Re-Composition
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Raqqa
19 Introduction
60 Colophon
SYR I A – TH E M A KIN G OF THE FUT URE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else),
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
SYR I A – TH E M A KIN G OF THE FUT URE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
RAQQA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Population
2004 220,488
2017 177,636
Description
Raqqa is located on the North-East bank of the Euphrates River, about
160 kilometres East of Aleppo. It is located 40 kilometres East of the
Tabqa Dam, Syria’s largest dam. Star of the fertile crescent, Raqqa is a
city of contact between three worlds: the world of nomadic pastors, the
sedentary world and that one of the city dwellers. It is actually a semi-
arid region and agricultural prosperity thus depends to a large extent
on the capacity of the State to guarantee the perenniality of the works.
— 11 —
RAQQA
0 5 km
Al Nasirah
Euphrate River
New Bridge
0 1 km
RAQQA OLD CITY
Euphrate River
SYR I A – TH E M A KIN G OF THE FUT URE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
— Since March 2013,
Raqqa has been at the
centre of the conflict
in Syria. It was first
captured by opposition
groups, and after fierce
fighting with the latter in
October 2013, ISIS took
control of the city. In No-
vember 2014, the Syrian
Observatory for Human
Rights reported that the
Syrian Arab Republic
Government bombed
Raqqa, and that damage
was extensive inside the
old city area, especially
next to the Raqqa Mu-
seum. There have been
reports of damage to
cultural heritage near
the Abbasid period walls
of Raqqa, such as the
damage to statues of
lions in the Al Rasheed
Park, the shrine tombs
of Uwais al-Qarani, Obay
ibn Qays, and Ammar
ibn Yasir. Migration from
Aleppo, Homs, Idlib and
other inhabited places
to the city occurred as
a consequence of the
uprising against Assad.
— 17 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
In trod uction
—
N icola Bedin, Umber to Bo no mo , Ma rco Ca r ra ro
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
a “creative and innovative” practice (Perea, 1999), not
as a simple accumulation of information or sum of
methods to apply.
The invitation proposed by the laboratory is to extend
our point of view beyond our constructive habits or
functional aesthetics. During the workshop, a debate
focused on new forms of use and new types of space,
through the experimentation of abnormal and oppos-
ing programmes with the aim of allowing the construc-
tion of cooperative structures.
— 19 —
For this reason, the workshop has proposed to de-
velop a perspective in which architecture is not a pre-
cise scenario for Raqqa, but rather a series of open
and adaptable strategies. Buildings are conceived as
open and modular systems that can be repeated and
arranged in different places. Their use and their mate-
rial nature are able to change, fitting in different but
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
lieve they could possibly do”. (Price, 2003)
— 21 —
The workshop is grounded on concepts such as “play”
and “anomaly”, which will be considered as opportuni-
ties for the reconstruction of cooperation; and spaces
that will host new inhabiting ways, allowing reconcilia-
tion and memory. To achieve this, we used experimen-
tation with heterotopic and counter spaces, as well
as “abnormal” spaces that could help to build coop-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
according to their needs. The projects are based on
rules, like a game in which players act and react de-
pending on the place and use that each community
proposes to develop. As happens with a toy, archi-
tecture and design not only have value as objects,
but in the actual virtues of the social dynamics they
produce, in their ability of generating new behav-
iours, innovation, and knowledge development. The
workshop is a place for playful encounter and dia-
logue, ludus and anomaly act for social re-compo-
sition: a design process at the service of memory,
reconciliation, and learning. It is an invitation to
extend our view beyond good practices, aesthetics
or functional established canons. This brings to a
debate on methodologies focused on new uses of
form and space typologies in a place like Syria.
— 23 —
(that require a user) than to sculptured pieces of
modern architecture (based mostly in efficiency and
aesthetics). Architecture that is more than just the
product of diagrams: architecture that is able to pro-
duce action and guide the user to act.
— 24 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
that go beyond building, and focus on developing ur-
ban designs able to have multiple uses. And, at the
same time, generate new economic dynamics and
social interactions based on cooperation.
B ibliograph y
—
Fink E., “L’oasi del gioco”, Cortina Raffaello, Roma, 2008.
Foucault M., “Sorvegliare e punire. Nascita della prigione”, Einaudi, Milano, 2014.
Foucault M., “Utopie-eterotopie”, Cronopio, Milano, 2006.
Hardt M., Negri A., “Oltre il privato e il pubblico”, Rizzoli, Milano, 2010.
Hill J., “An architecture of action” in “Revista Oeste”, 2004, no. 17, pp. 48-63.
Mazzanti G., “From the construction of community to play as a mechanism
of social interaction” in “Sage Publication Jounal of Visual Culture”, 2015.
Mazzanti G., “Lo spazio pubblico come luogo collettivo” in “Lotus Interna-
zionale”, 2012, no. 152, pp. 36-39.
Paris N., “Quatro Variações a Volta de nada Ou Falar Do que não tem”,
Museu Coleção Berardo, 2012.
Perea A., “On the education of the architect” in “Quaderns Journal debate
on teaching”, 2004.
Price C., “Creativity and technology” in “Revista Oeste”, 2003, n.16,
pp.1-7/11-21.
Sennet R., Bottini A., “Insieme. Rituali, piaceri, politiche della collaborazi-
one”, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2014.
— 25 —
Architecture
has a value
not only in
itself but also
in what it
produces.
— 27 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Raqqa domes
The system is
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
composed by dome
modules of three sizes,
with circular openings
on the top.
Different dome ag-
glomeration can fit
into the city, creating a
multifunctional covered
space that can promote
gatherings, meetings,
and social rebirth.
The dimension of the
modules is linked to the
use of space. The larg-
est diameter element
(30 m) hosts the market,
the square, the green
space or the theatre.
The medium one (15 m)
is a pray area, a pool, a
playground or a place
of memory (connected
to the ruins of war). The
smallest module (7.5 m)
hosts services.
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Pixels
The strategy of the
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
project is related to the
theme of memory and of
water. In particular, it is
linked to the origins and
development of Raqqa
and the Euphrates River.
The river enters the city
through a subterranean
delta canal, emerging
in the areas that were
bombed and destroyed
by war.
Square modules with dif-
ferent public functions,
made with prefabricated
materials, compose the
system. Production and
sales areas are con-
nected to squares and
playgrounds, in order to
promote the coexistence
of various contradictory
activities set to regener-
ate the area.
The community decides
the configuration of this
“Pixels space”, accord-
ing to their needs.
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Polyhedral Raqqa
The operation means to
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
become a growth cata-
lyser, just as the river
was before. The system
is composed by octahe-
drons and tetrahedrons,
the agglomeration of
which produces concave
and circular spaces that
favour encounters and
interactions between
people.
The octahedron is two
storeys high, and hosts
public activities on the
ground floor and different
functions on the second.
The tetrahedron provides
the staircase.
All the modules can be
connected by modular
triangular walkways.
The modules can be re-
peated infinitely, and can
be combined in all the
directions, infiltrating in
the interstitial spaces and
seep into the destroyed
buildings.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Tiles
The system works with
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
“tiles” (15 x 8 x 4.5 m).
A single module is an
autonomous structure
that hosts a single
programme within it.
The aggregation of
these modules allows
new connections, both
physical and social,
and the possibility of
generating various
systems: open, closed,
and hybrid.
In addition, the flat
shape of the upper face
of the tile allows the
possibility of vertical
development.
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
3D Tetris
The system consist
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
of different modules
(6x3x3 m) inserted in a
three-dimensional 3 m
regular grid (prefabri-
cated wooden structure)
evoking a kind of 3D
Tetris.
This system has been
designed to occupy
vacant and destroyed
spaces, adapting itself
to the shapes of each
specific site.
From this idea, the
infrastructure is also
capable of accommo-
dating the most diverse
functions. The volumes
on the grid can become
schools, homes, retire-
ment homes, markets,
and orphanages; but,
above all, gathering
spaces necessary for
the reconstruction of the
community destroyed
by war.
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
— 43 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Productive landscape
The system is conceived
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
as a series of productive
modules that responds
to the necessity of new
productive spaces, inn
order to support the
regeneration of the city
after the destruction
of war.
The geometric shape of
the module allows the
creation of infinite, ever-
changing, and innovative
combinations that can
be adapted to different
functions.
Each module is charac-
terised by an open and
permeable productive
ground floor (that is
connected with the
surrounding crop fields),
a gathering space on
the roof of the first floor,
with a pathway and arti-
ficial irrigation channels
stemming off it.
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Labyrinth
The project tries to re-
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
turn physical and mental
security to citizens in
a post-war context, in
order to promote the
regeneration of the Syr-
ian community.
The system is com-
posed of a series of pro-
tective walls that gives a
sense of security.
This labyrinth can adapt
itself to all kinds of ar-
eas, creating a dialogue
with the ground, with the
green areas, and even
with pre-existing build-
ings, promoting spaces
for gathering and social
encounters.
— 47 —
The learning
act or
experience
is based on
an attitude
of curiosity
toward the
unknown.
— 49 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
— The cooperation
between the various
students allows them to
share all their individual
skills.
— Construction of card-
board models and boxes
to make silicone molds.
Pouring the silicon into
the cardboard boxes.
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
Removing the cardboard
model and subsequent
mold cleaning, neces-
sarily to use it for the
next construction of
the toys.
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
tion act by configuring
the project that he be-
lieves most appropriate
and necessary to the
community.
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
We are
interested
in triggering
actions
and
relationships.
Giancarlo M azzanti
— There is no need to be
architects to configure
buildings.
Everyone can follow the
rules that are suggested
and can propose his
own idea: there are
no correct or wrong
configurations.
Let’s play.
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Giancarlo Ma zza n ti
— Bogotá, Colombia
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
universities, and: Princeton University (2012), Har-
vard (2014), University of Pennsylvania (2016), and
Columbia University (2016-17).
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Nicola Bedin
He graduated from Università Iuav di Venezia (2010), after
studying in Venice and Oporto. He has worked with Perdo
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Umberto Bonomo
PhD in Architecture and Urban Studies at Catholic Univer-
sity in Chile (2009), Architect Università Iuav di Venezia
(2004). Now, he is assistant professor, researcher, and
vice-director in Development of the School of Architec-
ture at PUC.
Marco Carraro
He graduated from Università Iuav di Venezia (2017), after
studying in Oslo and in Santiago de Chile. He worked with
Carlana Mezzalira Pentimalli Architetti (Treviso, Italy), and
with Ensamble Studio (Madrid, Spain). He collaborated
in the Swiss Pavilion Exhibition “Incidental space”, at the
2016 Venice Architecture Biennale.
— 62 —
Giancarlo M azzanti
Stud ents
—
L U D U S , P L AY, A N D C O O P E R AT I O N A S M E C H A N I S M S F O R S O C I A L R E - C O M P O S I T I O N
Paulina Avila Valentina Miranda
Sindi Baku Victoria Mohr
Marco Bassi Elisa Montanari
Zhang Bilun Giulia Patacini
Irene Bordin Ugo Pavanello
Sara Borsato Sara Pellizzer
Denis Caprini Irene Peressotti
Chiara Cavazzini Chiara Peron
Sebastiano Ciminari Pietro Peroni
Jessica Coccimiglio Noemi Perruolo
Fabio Corazzin Benjamin Reise
Daniele Cortez Beatrice Rigo
Francesca Dalla Mora Nicolas Rojas
Matteo Faccin Valentina Rosato
Roxana Bajelan Farrokhi Martina Segafredo
Eleonora Favaro Cristina Stupai
Andrea Fedrigo Elena Terrida
Dalila Fermezza Fabio Tognon
Mathilde Fleury Benjamin Valenzuela
Giulia Formato Gianluca Vassallo
Maria José Garay Sofia Visentin
Alessandro Gava Zizhe Wang
Giada Gavin Chuanjiang Xia
Federico Giusti Bin Xiao
Giacomo Laffi Noel Yanez
Yuru Li Ying Yu
Luis Lobos Yichen Zhang
Maria Elena Lovato Marco Zuanon
Maxim Macarov Gloria Zuin
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
Bom Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti / Ludus, Play, And Cooperation As Mechanisms For Social Re-Composition
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
FROM
ALEPPO
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
LEARNING
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
LEARNING
FROM
ALEPPO
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 17 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 19 —
The idea of a workshop, limited in time compared
to a regular studio project, requires some choic-
es in terms of design and exhibition layout. This
has led to additional effort, but it has also led to
awareness in seeking a synthesis of our thinking
at the same time.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
Learning f ro m A lepp o
—
Patrizia M ont ini Zim o lo
1 — Cees Nooteboom,
“There is something mysterious in the fact that land- “Voorbije passages”, De
scapes, which ultimately are not responsible for our Arbeiderspers, Amster-
existence, have nothing to do with it; and certainly dam, 1989.
— 21 —
from the point of view of the relationship they estab-
lish with the city, and their ability to transform the city
itself. Buildings that highlight the timelessness and
specificity of certain urban phenomena. The story of
its history, its previous “stories”, is read on the plani-
metric relief as an archaeological trace, revealing a
monumentality that seems to have disappeared in the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 23 —
We clearly outlined four areas within the space that
we set out to design. Each area responds to the char-
acter of the adjacent context: sectors that, even if
connected to each other, are imagined for different
activities. They offer the opportunity to start a radi-
cal transformation of an urban landscape that does
not yet have a common history, but that will incor-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
B ibliograph y
—
Anania A., CarriA., Palmieri L., Zenoni G., “Siria viaggio nel cuore del Me-
dio Oriente”, Polaris, Faenza, 2009.
De David J.C., Degeorge G., “Alep”, Flammarion, Paris, 2002.
Galletti M., “Storia della Siria contemporanea”, Bompiani, Milano, 2006.
Sauvaget J., “Alep. Essai sur le developpement d’une grande ville syri-
enne, des origins au milieu du XIX siècle”, Paris, 1941.
David J.C., “L’habitat permanent des grandes commercants dans les
khans d’Alep: processus de formation et d’adaptation d’un modèle exté-
rieur”, in D. Panzac, “2 la ville dams l’empire ottoman: activités et soci-
etés”, IREMAM-CNRS, Aix en Provence, 1994.
Fabbri G., “Damasco e lo spettacolo della storia”, in A. Gallo, G. Marras (a
cura di), “L’invenzione della tradizione”, Il Poligrafo, Padova, 2017.
Neglia G.A., “Aleppo, Processi di formazione della città medieval islami-
— 25 —
Plan games:
the projects
simulate the
process of
building the
contemporary
city of Aleppo
beyond the Gate
of Antioch.
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 27 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— Arcade souq.
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— Rural souq.
— 41 —
Aleppo,
new
architectures
for the
ancient city,
stage of
prophecy
and memory.
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— Terrace market.
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— Fondaci avenue.
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— Cittadella cultural
center.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 55 —
The voids
left by war
are a sort
of key that
opens up
new
mechanisms
for urban
reinvention.
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Stefano Ferro
Stefano Ferro graduated with Gino Malacarne from Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia in 2005, where he is a teaching as-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Giulio Mangano
Giulio Mangano graduated in Business Administration at
Bocconi University in Milan. He received his Graduate De-
gree in Architecture from Università Iuav di Venezia. After
a period of training and work abroad, he came back to Ven-
ice where he co-founded Barman Architects while teacher
assistant at Iuav.
Federico Trenna
Federico is registered in the Graduate Degree Programme
in Architectural Science at Università Iuav di Venezia. He
studied at Leeds Beckett University where he followed
“Fluctuating Archipelago”. During his stay in England, he
developed his thesis The Archipelago with Prof. Teresa
Stoppani. His main areas of interest are interior design
and retail.
Marco Lucchiari
Marco Lucchiari began his architecture studies in 2012 at
Università Iuav di Venezia, and in 2016 at the University
of Oulu in Finland. He participated in the Roma 2020 Pro-
gram. His fields of interest are urban planning and design,
and real estate development.
— 62 —
Patr izia M ontini Z imolo
Stud ents
—
Chiara Avesani
Nicolò Bagagiolo
Elisa Baldelli
Erica Bolis
Federica Bradariolo
Giacomo Bregolato
Francesca Bressanin
Anna Calligaris
Federico Cassaro
Laura Cavestro
Alessia Cavinato
Gianmarco De Pieri
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo / Learning From Aleppo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
VS
Paredes y Pedrosa
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
WAR HERITAGE
RAW HERITAGE?
Paredes y Pedrosa
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
WAR HERITAGE
VS
RAW HERITAGE?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Paredes y Pedrosa
War Heritage Vs Raw Heritage?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
19 Introd uction
21 Aleppo Souqs.
WAR Her i tag e vs RAW Heri ta ge?
24 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Population
2004 2,132,100
2017 1,602,264
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial compound
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
the cultural identity of
the Syrian population:
25% of historic buildings
are damaged, 40% are
partially destroyed, and
the Souq (historic Arab
market) has been burnt
down completely.
— 17 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
In trod uction
—
Luis G. Pachón
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
learning in architecture.
Workshop teamwork
— 19 —
was to hand-make a 1:300 model (5x1.82 m) of the
area, as a live design instrument for the students´
proposals. A type of document that greatly helped
connect them with the context. The third task was the
final coordination and assembly of the exhibition that
represented the spatial organisation of a common
core space of the Souqs, in a synthetic way.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Group work
Individual work
— 20 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
A leppo S ouqs :
WA R Heritag e v s R AW H erita g e?
—
Ángela García de Pa red es a nd I gna cio G . Ped ro sa
1 — WAR. noun:
Taking into account our main concerns – heritage, A state of armed conflict
urban history, hybridity, density, culture, and local between different coun-
tries or different groups
identity – as actual tools for the project, we believe within a country.
that the size and urban structure of the city of Alep- A state of competition
po (and its core and communities) give us a great or hostility between dif-
ferent people or groups.
opportunity to study spatial growth forms. Heritage A sustained campaign
structures in the Souqs based on repetition and isot- against an undesirable
situation or activity
ropy, on the one hand, and on historical strata, on the
other, allow us to get in touch with actual case stud- 2 — RAW. adjective:
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
(of food) not cooked.
ies in which students work as a team. Each proposal (of a material or
is part of a general layout that gives sense to other substance) in its natural
state; unprocessed.
projects. The final project is the result of the sum of (of data) not analysed,
the different proposals, for each precise site on the evaluated, or processed
Souqs, and is not the result of an imposed structure. for use.
(of a part of the body)
The whole project therefore becomes a choral work red and painful, espe-
of different projects. Aleppo’s history of architecture cially as the result of
skin abrasion.
is used as a project tool, requiring a programme to (of a person’s nerves)
remind us of the social role of architecture. In this very sensitive.
(of an emotion or
sense, architecture is concerned with reality, permit- quality) strong and
ting construction in different phases and by different undisguised.
Frank and realistic in the
hands for a diverse group of projects. depiction of unpleasant
situations.
So, why WAR1 Heritage vs RAW2 Heritage? (of language) coarse or
crude, typically in rela-
tion to sexual matters.
We understand that, for an effective reconstruction (of the weather) cold
and damp; bleak.
and transformation of Aleppo, we have to pay at- New to an activity or job
tention to the different faces of the word heritage, and therefore lacking
experience or skill.
from cultural and economic to urban and archi- (of the edge of a piece
tectural. RAW meaning natural and original-native; of cloth) not having a
WAR meaning heritage left by war, in a positive and hem or selvedge.
— 21 —
destruction, conforming a whole new level of herit-
age. Therefore, post-war reconstruction is two-fold:
related to RAW buildings and urban groups existing
above ground, and to underground buildings uncov-
ered by WAR destruction.
Time builds!
— 22 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
B ibliograph y
—
Abido H., et al. , “Development Plan: The Rehabilitation of the Old City of
Aleppo. Aleppo: City of Aleppo”, 1998.
Aureli P.V., “The city as a Project”, Ruby Press, Berlin, 2013.
Bianca S., “Urban Form in the Arab World, Past and Present”, Thames and
Hudson, London, 2000.
Gaube H., “Aleppo: Historische und Geographische Beiträge zur baulichen
Gestaltung, zur sozialen Organisation und zur wirtschaftlichen Dynamik
einer vorderasiatischen Fernhandelsmetropole”, Wiesbaden, 1984.
Gharipour M., ed., “The Bazaar in the Islamic City: Design, Culture, and
History”, American University in Cairo Press, Cairo, 2012.
Raymond A., “La ville arabe, Alep, à l’époque ottomane : (XVIe-XVIIIe siè-
cles)”, Nouvelle édition [en ligne], Presses de l’Ifpo, Damas, 1998.
Rossi A., “The Architecture of the City”, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1982.
Rowe C., Koetter F., “Collage City”, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1979.
Russell A., “The Natural History of Aleppo”, London, 1754.
Smithson A., Smithson P., “Urban structuring: studies of Alison & Peter
Smithson”, Studio Vista, London; Reinhold, New York, 1967.
— 23 —
Hybrid Heritage
regards the
communities
and practices
that have
existed and that
will continue
to evolve
in the future.
— 25 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 26 —
— 27 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Work area: pla n s
!"#
— Aerial image of the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
#"!
— Plan of the souqs
and surrounding area,
redrawn by the stu-
dents showing the RAW
state of the context
before the war.
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
— 29 —
Work area: m odel
— 1:300 scale model of the souqs divided in 12
areas. Each group studied and produced one area as
a design tool for their proposals.
Dimensions: 5x1,8 m.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
— 31 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
— 33 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
A 4 / Wrapped a n d u n wra p p ed وغ� حماط
حماط ي
— Building in Syria, in Students Team
a territory destroyed Debora Casagrande
by wars, where human- Manuel Longa
ity was erased by fear Gilles Tognetti
and the cities by the Diego Zanette
bombs. Our approach Project typology
to the project, with the New building for an Arts
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
1: 1000
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
C 2 / New S o u q G a ller y املعرضالديدللسوق
ج
— Our project for Students Team
Alepppo consists in the Alice De Paoli
variation of Aldo Van Francesco Fantinato
Eyck’s module for his Giovanni Svalduz
unbuilt church “Wheels Loris Villa
of Heaven”. Configured Project typology
as a crossable gallery Drive-in Market
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Pedestrian walkways
Market stands
Skylights
— 37 —
A 3 / Fasay fs à فسيفساء
— The project sets on a Students Team
destroyed area with the Ilaria Bazzo
intention of recoiling Gioriga Carteri
the feelings of a walk Enrico Da Pian
through the ancient Greta Mariotti
city. The aim of the Giorgia Omiccioli
composition lies in the Project typology
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
1: 2000
— 39 —
B 2 / Aleppo An a log u e نظ� حلب
ي
— “The ancients built Students Team
Valdrada on the shores Francesco Maria Fratini
of a lake, [...]. Thus the Marco Padovani
traveler, arriving, sees Francesco Salvalaio
two cities: one erect Laura Allibardi
above the lake, and the Project typology
other reflected, upside Souq’s storage area
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
— 41 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
1: 1000
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
B 3 / Inherit a n c e ت�اث
— This project for Students Team
Aleppo had its first Belli Carmela
inspiration from Rafael Campagnaro Lucia
Moneo’s “National Cappelletto Nicola
Museum of Roman Art”. Marcato Matteo
The wall and the arch Trevisan Mirco
are repeated among the Project typology
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
ت
B A23 / Under th e R o of �ت السقف
— Our topic is the Students Team
construction of a new Matteo Fontana
and temporary building, Giacomo N. Ghobert
which purpose is to Othmane Kandri
receive the religion Marta Magnaguagno
functions while the Victoria Mura
pre-existent mosque Project typology
is rebuilt, as the 35% Temporary Mosque
of the site is currently State of destruction
destroyed. The model, 35% destroyed
made assembling our Intervention area
units, is a 25x25 m 625 m2
square (625 m²); a white Reference module
sheet spread over the Aires Mateus, Atrio de la
city of Aleppo, with Alhambra 2010
domes and studied 25 m2 / 5 x 8 m
spaces underneath.
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
B 3 / TIME LIN E �الزم خ
الط ن
ي
— Timeline is a project Students Team
that looks at the future Sebastiano Artico
of Aleppo, in a post- Claudia Bertolin
War atmosphere. The Elena Bredariol
reconstruction takes Francesca Quaglietti
place in small parts in Project typology
which the new cores Modular multi-purpose
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
furthermore brings new
opportunities to the
city with its Khan-like
appearance.
— 47 —
أ
B C2 / Hex ag on a l مسدس الضالع
— The project is Students Team
developed in the Carlo Brivio
inner courtyard of the Stefano Florian
Omayyadi Mosque. The Antonio Giuliani
hexagonal architecture Sofia Remolins
on different levels Project typology
allows to replicate the Temporary mosque
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
Aggregation
Low - High
Puntual
Puntual
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
1: 1000
— 49 —
A 3 / Lantern exp a n se فسحة الفانوس
— This project, based Students Team
on the module of the Elena Manzato
Moderna Museet by R. Edoardo Pattaro
Moneo, concerns the Giulia Guizzo
construction of a com- Project typology
plex for a large under- Energy and water
ground Energy and water logistics infrastructure
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
C 2 / Zakhra fa زخرفة
—This project, based on Students Team
Shigeru Ban’s Haesley Alessia Corradini
Nine Bridges Golf Club Chiara Cortivo
House, offers protec- Thibault Sale
tion from weather. Its Brigitta Zecchin
lightweight structure it’s Project typology
designed to create an Structure for building
enclosed space while materials storage and
still being extremely logistics
open and transparent. State of destruction
The module of 9 x 9 m 75%
is extremely versatile Intervention area
and can be employed in 3,000 m²
many of Aleppo squares Reference module
and streets. Placed Shigeru Ban Architects
in front of the Great Haesley Nine bridges
Mosque, this structure golf club house
will take the place of 2009
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
the previous square, 20,977 m2 / 9 x 13.5 m
now almost completely
destroyed, creating a
new meeting space.
— 51 —
B 3 / Mod ules a n d R u in s وحدات وركام
— The proposal is based Students Team
on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Mirco Canzian
module for the Johnson Martina Filippi
Wax Building in Racine Mattia Orlandi
(Wisconsin, USA), Giada Santucci
projected to obtain an Project typology
object that could be Open space for daily
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
1: 1500
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
A 4 / A d Mos a ic إفسيفساء إداري
— There is a choice Students Team
between meeting and Eleonora Frison
exclusion, between be- Anna Grazia Capparotto
ing in the open or being Gloria Cristina Muñoz
hidden. Meeting places Shenghao Si
are always present in Project typology
Hertzberger’s build- Office spaces for the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
1: 1000
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Mod ular un it m odels selec tio n
From left to right: Wrapped and Unwrapped, New Souq Gallery, Fasayfsà, Aleppo Analogue, Inheritance, Under the
Roof, Timeline, R-esistere, Hexagonal, Lantern expanse, AdMosaic, Zakhrafa.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
— 59 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
GSD Harvard, ETH Zurich, Accademia di Architettura
di Mendrisio, EPFL Lausanne, TU München, TU Graz,
FADU Buenos Aires e Ibero en México, among others.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Luis G. Pachón
Luis G. Pachón (M.Arch with honors ETSAM Madrid 2015) has
collaborated as architect in competitions and projects in Spain,
Europe, South America, and Africa, in studios of high national
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Francesca Cremasco
As graduate in Architecture at Iuav Venezia, PhD in architec-
tural design at UniUd, Francesca is interested in design theory
and the role of light on composition. She has undertaken aca-
demic research at Iuav, and is a teaching assistant involved
in professional activities (architectural and lighting design).
Federica Fiorese
She graduated from Iuav in 2015, Scienze dell’architettura,
with the highest marks. She is enrolled in the Iuav graduate
degree programme in Arts and Architecture Design. Now,
she is preparing her thesis after a year in Madrid, where she
completed her academic studies at the ETSAM Madrid and
held an internship at ParedesPedrosa arquitectos.
Emanuele Biscaro
Emanuele studied architecture at Iuav, ETSAG Granada,
and ETSAM Madrid. He is now developing his thesis at
Iuav. He has collaborated as architect in different offices
in Treviso and Venice.
— 62 —
Paredes y Pedrosa
Stud ents
—
W A R H E R I TA G E V S R A W H E R I TA G E ?
Nicola Cappelletto Giada Santucci
Giorgia Carteri Si Shemghao
Valentina Ceschi Giovanni Svalduz
Alessia Corradini Sale Thibault
Chiara Cortivo Gilles Tognetti
Serena Costantin Mirco Trevisan
Enrico Da Pian Loris Villa
Alice De Paoli Diego Zanette
Casagrande Debora Brigitta Zecchin
Francesco Fantinato
Martina Filippi
Stefano Florian
Matteo Fontana
Francesco Maria Fratini
Eleonora Ghobert Frison
Niccolò Giacomo
Antonio Giuliani
Giulia Guizzo
Othmane Kandri
Manuel Longa
Marta Magnaguagno
Elena Manzato
Matteo Marcato
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni / Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa / War Heritage Vs Raw Heritage?
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Ciro Pirondi
A CITY
— JARAMANA / 33°29’13”N 36°20’41”E
FOR EVERYONE
Ciro Pirondi
— JARAMANA / 33°29’13”N 36°20’41”E
A CITY
FOR EVERYONE
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Ciro Pirondi
A City For Everyone
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 J aramana
19 Introd uction
24 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
C iro Pirondi
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
C iro Pirondi
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
C iro Pirondi
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
C iro Pirondi
JARAMANA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Jaramana is a suburb of Damascus situated 8km from the city and
it connects the city centre to Damascus International Airport. It is a
crowded busy area with a downtown vibe: it is organised along a broad
main road and between two roundabouts that act as landmarks. Since
the 1990s, the city has been growing along a road that is parallel to
the central highway to the airport. In 2004, the population density was
greater than 15,000 inhabitants per km2. The arrival of 30,000 registered
refugees since 2003 contributes to this development.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
0 5 km
JARAMANA
Old City of Damascus
0 1 km
JARAMANA
to airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
C iro Pirondi
— 17 —
C iro Pirondi
In trod uction
—
Valent ino Consiglio, E lisa Vend emini
— 19 —
5. Defining the physical borders of the city in order
to manage and control its growth.
— 20 —
C iro Pirondi
— 21 —
social housing, and environmental degradation, proba-
bly with greatly harmful consequences for agriculture.
its agriculture).
— 22 —
C iro Pirondi
— 23 —
Public
spaces,
water,
ambience.
C iro Pirondi
— 25 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
M
AG
ST I
RA
— 26 —
SH
UR
WAVE-SYRIA
HU
C
C iro Pirondi
— 27 —
DAMASCUS
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
DAMASCUS
Old City
Beirut
Dam
asc
Dam us C Ya
asc ity
us R
if (C
oun
try
)
— 28 —
C iro Pirondi
Aleppo
Jaramana
armouk,
u Palestinian Neighbourhood
Airport, Baghdad
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
C iro Pirondi
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
1
2
4
— 32 —
3
C iro Pirondi
— Jaramana, 4 project
areas:
1. Main street;
2. Fallujah street;
3. Linear street;
4. New street.
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
C iro Pirondi
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
C iro Pirondi
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
C iro Pirondi
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
C iro Pirondi
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
C iro Pirondi
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
C iro Pirondi
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
C iro Pirondi
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
C iro Pirondi
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
C iro Pirondi
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
C iro Pirondi
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
C iro Pirondi
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
C iro Pirondi
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
C iro Pirondi
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
C iro Pirondi
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Elisa Vendemini
Elisa Vendemini graduated with honours from Università
Iuav di Venezia in 2016, with a postgraduate thesis on the
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Valentino Consiglio
Valentino Consiglio graduated from Scuola Politecnica di
Palermo in 2014. In the same year, he began a postgradu-
ate specialisation programme at Università Iuav di Ven-
ezia. In 2016, he attended one year at University Escola da
Cidade of Sao Paulo, and then returned to Iuav to finish his
university career, with a research on the topic of sescs and
their relations with the city.
— 62 —
C iro Pirondi
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi / A City For Everyone
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Plan Collectif
— ARIHA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
«IN BETWEEN»
Plan Collectif
— ARIHA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
«IN BETWEEN»
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Plan Collectif
«In Between»
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Ari ha
19 Introd uction
27 «In B etween»
32 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Plan C ollectif
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
«IN BETWEEN»
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Plan C ollectif
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
«IN BETWEEN»
Venice is where reflecting on these things is pos-
sible: a city that was described, by Richard Bon-
ington and by Antoine-Claude Valéry, as “a Pal-
myra of the Sea”3.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Plan C ollectif
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
«IN BETWEEN»
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Plan C ollectif
ARIHA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
«IN BETWEEN»
Population
2004 39,500
2017 57,500
Description
Ariha is a town in northern Syria, administratively part of the Idlib Gov-
ernorate, and is located 13 km south of Idlib. Ariha Town is known for
being one of Syria’s oldest summer resorts and a tourist destination,
since it presents exquisite nature and significant monuments. It also
holds the Jabal al’Arba’in and its famous cave, a mountain near Maarin
al-Jabal in the Hama Governorate. The town is located near Idlib-Lat-
takia highway and is connected to the nearby villages by a network of
roads. Nowadays, Ariha hosts almost 10,000 IDPs, most of them from
the countryside of Aleppo, Damascus, and from Homs city.
— 11 —
to Latakia
0 5 km
to Aleppo
ARIHA
Kafar Najd
0 1 km
ARIHA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 17 —
Plan C ollectif
In trod uction
—
Gi ulia Piacenti
The result of the three-week workshop is a movie. Each 1 — IDP means Internally
Displaced Person. Today
group of students started working on a different topic Ariha has 50,000 inhabit-
with a different technique, but eventually they joined ants and 10,000 individu-
als are IDPs – mainly re-
their project in one work. As a matter of fact, all the bels from Aleppo, Homs
topics had a common feature: the creation of a new and Damascus – hosted
by Ariha community.
community. Ariha is a city whose number of inhabitants
increased during the war mainly because of IDP people1
with the result that the previous community doesn’t ex-
ist anymore and a new one must be created in order
to prepare the process of reconstruction. The lack of
a community, more than an identity, was perceived by
the students as an important difference compared to
«IN BETWEEN»
the situation of emergency experienced in Italy, where
the community stays and especially in these situations
becomes stronger than ever. The transcript of the movie
will follow. Interviews are interrupted by clips concern-
ing topics suggested by the answers.
INBETWEEN
I u av st udent s and Pla n Co llect if
— 19 —
Hosam (born in Syria, based in Greece): «I really liked
the transportation system in Barcelona».
— 20 —
Plan C ollectif
Arise Ariha
Ariha means perfume of flowers.
«IN BETWEEN»
a lion[…]” (Ali-Nour Al Din and Miriam the Girdle-girl,
Arabian Nights).
— 21 —
Our aim is to make the nature enter the city as well,
to bring it back to life! In the area all rivers are dry,
but Ariha can draw the water it needs from its mul-
tiple wells, as the subsoil is rich in water reserves.
— 22 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
Vittorio (from Italy): «I would meet outside my house».
— 23 —
Fares (born in Syria, based in Turkey): «Everywhere
should be a child friendly space. Of course away
from any transportation or danger».
———
Wa’el
— 24 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
Fares (born in Syria, based in Turkey): «The lady
I love».
— 25 —
Hosam (born in Syria, based in Greece): «When I
travel, the first thing I wanna hear is local small
kids playing».
———
— 26 —
Plan C ollectif
«In Between »
—
P lan Collectif
«IN BETWEEN»
only a link of a long chain. The pitfalls to be avoided
are those of a too rapid reconstruction which would
be inherently unsatisfactory in the long term and
those of a reconstruction which would begin with a
phase of temporary housing which by nature tends
to become definitive. In our view, an appropriate ap-
proach involves three phases. The first phase con-
sists of an emergency habitat that ensures the sani-
tary conditions to the population; this phase remains
traumatic due to its emergency nature. The second
phase consists of a housing and provisional equip-
ment ensuring, over a limited period of time, to define
the services and functions of the city in reconstruc-
tion. Metaphorically, this phase is equivalent to the
period of mourning. This second phase should be
considered as the substratum and the basis of the
final reconstruction which will be carried out within a
historical time-scale. It is a time without urgency that
allows the population’s appropriation of the cultural
and final process of reconstruction.
— 27 —
Makani, my place
Giulia Calesella, Pietro Carra, Claudia Nembi, Riccardo Squarcina
Arise Ariha
Veronica Altamura, Giacomo Ber tacche, Jacopo Calzavara,
Nicole Costantini, Elena Zilli
— 28 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
people, but also to build a new city where it is really
possible to live.
Wa’el
Michael Bordin, Daria Marchi, Alessandro Martin, Vicky Saraceni,
Francesco Tassinato
— 29 —
culture. He represents what war and destruction may
not have been able to fully scratch and for that rea-
son manages to look at the world with different eyes.
The medium and the end of Wa’el’s journey is the rug,
an integral part of the Syrian tradition, which in our
video becomes the symbol of a reconstruction that
starts from the individual and ends in the community.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Plan C ollectif
B ibliograph y
—
Anonymous, translated by Burton R. F., “Ali-Nour Al Din and Miriam the
Girdle-girl, The Book of The Thousand Nights and a Night”, Kama Shastra
Society, London, 1885.
Calvino I., “Le città invisibili”, Einaudi, Torino, 1972.
Calvino I., “Invisible cities”, eds. William Weaver, A Harvest Book, a Helen
and Kurt WolffBook, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego New York
London, ed 1974, copyright Einaudi, 1972.
«IN BETWEEN»
— 31 —
You take
delight not in
a city’s seven
or seventy
wonders, but
in answers
it gives to a
question of
yours.
Italo Calv in o, In v is ible C it ies , 1 9 7 2
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 37 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Plan C ollectif
— INBETWEEN, the
film headlines, see it at
<www. youtu.be/R40G-
grYAEC0>.
«IN BETWEEN»
— 39 —
In your
ideal city,
which place
would you
choose for
recreation?
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 53 —
What is
your idea
of the city?
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 57 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 58 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 59 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Plan C ollectif
«IN BETWEEN»
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Giulia Piacenti
Giulia Piacenti has graduated with honors in 2016 from
Università Iuav di Venezia with a thesis on the Recon-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 62 —
Plan C ollectif
Stud ents
—
Veronica Altamura
Giacomo Bertacche
Michael Bordin
Giulia Calesella
Jacopo Calzavara
Pietro Carra
Nicole Costantini
Matteo Gigante
Daria Marchi
Alessandro Martin
Giuseppina Natale
Claudia Nembi
Andrea Pendin
«IN BETWEEN»
Vicky Saraceni
Riccardo Squarcina
Francesco Tassinato
Margherita Zanuso
Elena Zilli
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif / «In Between»
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
Attilio Santi
WHAT IS
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
THE FUTURE
FOR MEMORY?
Attilio Santi
— PALMYRA / 34°33’02”N 38°16’18”E
WHAT IS
THE FUTURE
FOR MEMORY?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Attilio Santi
What Is The Future For Memory?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Palmyra
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
Attilio Santi
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
Attilio Santi
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
Attilio Santi
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
Attilio Santi
PALMYRA
- 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
Population
2004 55,062
2017 51,015
Description
Palmyra is a city in the centre of Syria, administratively part of the
Homs Governorate. It is located in an oasis in the middle of the Syrian
Desert, northeast of Damascus and southwest of the Euphrates River.
Palmyra contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was one of
the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The ruins of
ancient Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are situated about 500
m southwest of the modern city centre. The modern city is built along
a grid pattern.
— 11 —
to Homs
0 5 km
PALMYRA TADMOR
to Homs
PALMYRA TADMOR
archeological site
0 1 km
Palmyra airport
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
forces regained Palmyra
on 27 March 2016 after
intense fights against
ISIL fighters.
— 17 —
Attilio Santi
In trod uction
—
Nicole Addati Sansonetti, Riccardo Pontarolo, Davide Zagato
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
Museum as a “container of memory” and, following
the tragic events that struck the area, as “a story of
the history of the place”: reconciling everything in a
context of great historical, artistic, and cultural sig-
nificance, and putting in contact the modern and the
ancient city.
— 19 —
was the ability to rethink the entire function of the
museum in relation to the city, the exhibition, and the
intrinsic meaning that it is meant to give to the “mem-
ory place”. We were delighted to see how the various
work groups were able to take these issues and inter-
pret them in their favour, and elaborate project pro-
posals that were not only different from each other
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 20 —
Attilio Santi
A new museu m fo r Pa lm y ra
—
Attilio S anti
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
disappeared, either because they were destroyed or
because they have been buried and have not yet been
brought to light.
— 21 —
The Museum of Palmyra was created outside the
walls of the ancient city, between the ancient city and
the modern one: hinged between the two realities. The
two-storey stone building consists of a central block
and two wings, with a central entrance leading to an
atrium where the connecting staircase is located be-
tween the floors. A corridor facility brings access to
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
this ground floor, you return in the entrance area of
the main Museum by crossing a porch area. This
proposal communicates with the existing museum
architecture: by redesigning the main volume and
the central hall, connecting the two floors of the new
building, and studying a new cover, it looks for rela-
tionships with the architectures of the place.
— 23 —
New faces of the city and the garden of
sculptures
— 24 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
very positive, and their proposals (even though com-
ing from first year students at the beginning of their
training path) indicate interesting directions for a re-
construction of Palmyra.
B ibliograph y
—
Minissi F., “Il Museo negli anni ‘80”, Edizioni Kappa, Roma, 1983.
— 25 —
Reconstruction
and
conservation
of memory.
— 27 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
— 29 —
Attilio Santi
— City of Tadmor.
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
Attilio Santi
— A way to embrace
memory. Maquette,
ground floor plan and
view of the exhibition
halls.
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
Attilio Santi
— Culture as a means
to reconstruct the city.
Maquette, ground floor
plan and view of the
inner court.
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
— 41 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
Establishing
a relationship
between the
archaeological
site and
the city.
— 49 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 59 —
Attilio Santi
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
Attilio Santi
Attilio S anti
— Venice, Italy
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Riccardo Pontarolo
Born in 1989, he studied at Università Iuav di Venezia and
graduated with the thesis Project for the New Oriental Art
Museum of Venice. He worked as assistant to prof. Attilio
Santi from 2012 and from 2016, and now works as a free-
lance architect.
Davide Zagato
He graduated in Architecture at Università Iuav di Venezia.
Since 1998, he has been a Cultor of Matter on Architec-
tural and Urban Composition at Iuav. Since 1999, he has
been a teacher and researcher at Iuav. From 2013, he has
been councillor at the Order of Architects of Rovigo, and
referent of the Sustainable Urban Regeneration Commis-
sion of the FOAV.
— 62 —
Attilio Santi
Stud ents
—
Simone Bonato
Arno Cattel
Matteo Coppe
Eugenia Maria Dalrì
Luca Forlin
Donatien Kodjo Amon
Luca Mazzieri
Martina Pesce
Marco Robbi
Elena Roncato
W H AT I S T H E F U T U R E F O R M E M O R Y ?
Valery Salviato
Giulio Silvestrini
Luca Tricol
Ugo Uljancic
Elia Zennaro
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi / What Is The Future For Memory?
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
TAMassociati
SAME,
— QABOUN / 33°32’26”N 36°20’19”E
SAME BUT
DIFFERENT
TAMassociati
— QABOUN / 33°32’26”N 36°20’19”E
SAME,
SAME BUT
DIFFERENT
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
TAMarchitetti
Same, Same But Different
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Qaboun
19 Introd uction
26 The workshop
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
TAM associati
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
TAM associati
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
TAM associati
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
TAM associati
QABOUN
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Qaboun is located northeast of Damascus. It has 6th October Street run
along its south side, with the old town of Qaboun rising on the north of
it. The total area is 59.38 hectares and has been divided into a planned
Zone A area of 28.41 ha, and a Zone B with an area of 54.85 ha (92.4%)
of the land is owned by the private sectors, while roads occupy 4.53 ha
(7.63%). The road area is as small as most other irregular areas. Within
the area of the construction contracts, agricultural and freehold land
occupies 16.46 ha (about 30%).
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
0 5 km
QABOUN
Barzeh
0 1 km
QABOUN
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
TAM associati
— The conditions of
Qaboun are generally
good and the number of
buildings destroyed is
very small. The city can
be described as a mixed
area: half is completely
planned and the other
half hosts unplanned
houses. More than 1,500
rebels and family mem-
bers left the devastated
district of Qaboun on
the edge of Damascus,
as the Syrian army and
its allies continue to
advance in the areas
and around the capital.
Inhabitants are slowly
returning to their homes,
but because of political
and military agreements,
— 17 —
TAM associati
In trod uction
—
Anna M erci, Enrico Via nello
A participatory workshop
— 19 —
A work-based workshop
A collaborative workshop
— 20 —
TAM associati
“Architecture is a pretext.
Life is important, man is important”.
Oscar Niemeyer
— 21 —
the ability, or the will, to completely defeat the en-
emy. The result is that a third of the population has
abandoned their homes, a seventh has emigrated or
become refugees, millions of children have lost years
of schooling, illiteracy has exceeded danger levels,
and half the manufacturing, health, and communica-
tion facilities are in ruins. From being an agricultural-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
TAM associati
— 23 —
Here we are rather seeking a form of imperfect beauty
that accepts the harshness of life; which lacks the
ethereal distance of classical beauty. It means simply
taking care of things, places, and people; cherishing
communities and, above all, the environment. That
is why we feel we also have to ascribe great impor-
tance to the issue of environment. Because a fairer
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
TAM associati
— 25 —
A research
for the utmost
sobriety and
simplicity
as effective
strategy for
the Qaboun
project
design.
— 27 —
TAM associati
— 28 —
— 29 —
TAM associati
A
A
D
B
B
— 30 —
E
C
C
TAM associati
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
TAM associati
— Composition of
clusters types.
— 33 —
Face to face.
Students: Alex Favaro,
Paolo Fontanella, Mauro
Marchesin, Giulio Si-
mioni.
— Perspective view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
TAM associati
— Perspective view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
— 35 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
TAM associati
— 38 —
TAM associati
Punica granatum
Students: Marco Cau,
Edoardo Frasson, Lu-
crezia Pasquali, Filippo
Pilati.
— 39 —
A non-
ideological
process of
synthesis
between
tradition
and
innovation.
— 41 —
TAM associati
— Axonometric view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
TAM associati
Sijada
Students: Giorgia Boso,
Martina Cortesi, Viola
Gregorini, Elena Pac-
cagnella.
— Axonometric view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
— 43 —
Locus amoenus
Students: Elisa Lazzaro,
Aurora Pizziolo, Ele-
onora Scrigner, Beatrice
Aimeé Timircan.
— Axonometric view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
TAM associati
— Axonometric view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
— 45 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
TAM associati
— Prospective view,
ground floor plan and
elevation.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
TAM associati
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
TAM associati
Ink
Students: Francesco
Baggio, Marco De Zotti
Michielin, Irene Di Buono,
Alessia Tramontina.
— Ground floor plan,
elevation, sketches,
model photo credits
Enrico Vianello.
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
TAM associati
Court-ster
Students Gianmichele
De Sario, Matteo
Gumirato, Elena Savciuc,
Giacomo Spanio.
— Ground floor plan,
elevation, house type
plans, model photo
credits Andrea Avezzù.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
TAM associati
— 58 —
— 59 —
TAM associati
— 60 —
TAM associati
TAMassocia ti
— Venice, Italy
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Enrico Vianello
Architect, born in Venice in 1981. Postgraduate Degree in
Architecture at Università Iuav di Venezia (2007). TAMasso-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Anna Merci
Architect and landscape designer, born in Verona in
1982. Postgraduate Degree in Architecture at Università
Iuav di Venezia (2008). Member of Renzo Piano G124, the
senator working group on Italian suburbs. Experienced in
works on various scales, from temporary installations to
urban regeneration.
Susanna Campeotto
Architect, born in Conegliano (Treviso) in 1989. Post-
graduate Degree in Architecture at Università Iuav di
Venezia (2016) with a thesis on the preservation of In-
dustrial heritage. TAMassociati intern and design stu-
dios assistant at Iuav.
— 62 —
TAM associati
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati / Same, Same But Different
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
UNLAB
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
HOW CAN WE
TURN ALEPPO’S
CONFLICTING
NARRATIVES
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
INTO STRATEGIES
TO BUILD THE
COMMON?
UNLAB
— ALEPPO / 36°11’52”N 37°09’37”E
HOW CAN WE
TURN ALEPPO’S
CONFLICTING
NARRATIVES
INTOSTRATEGIES
TO BUILD THE
COMMON?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
UNLAB
How Can We Turn Aleppo’s Conflicting Narratives Into Strategies To Build The Common?
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Aleppo
19 Introd uction
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
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Al ber to Ferlenga
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
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W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
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ALEPPO
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
Population
2004 2,132,100
2017 1,602,264
Description
Aleppo is a city that has been settled for over 5,000 years, and is
one of the oldest cities in the Middle East, located in the Fertile Cres-
cent where the first settlements arose. Throughout history, the region
has been a conflict zone between North and South and between East
and West. Many of its houses were constructed in different historical
phases. The buildings were often demolished or destroyed and par-
tially rebuilt again.
— 11 —
ALEPPO
to Damascus
0 5 km
industrial city
citadel
airport
Al Asse River
0 1 km
ALEPPO OLD CITY
citadel
Suk
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
bourhoods. Therefore,
the historic city has
been added to the list
of endangered cultural
heritage. Since 2011,
the conflicts in Syria
have caused more than
400,000 dead and
millions of refugees.
The historic monu-
ments and the cultural
heritage continue to be
damaged, as a strategic
instrument to destroy
the cultural identity of
the Syrian population:
25% of historic buildings
are damaged, 40% are
partially destroyed, and
the Souq (historic Arab
market) has been burnt
down completely.
— 17 —
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In trod uction
—
Marlinda Tafaj
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
The three-week workshop focused on an overall vi-
sion for the city of Aleppo, taking a critical stance
towards the status quo of “reconstruction”. The in-
tention was to investigate the possibilities of a new
civic-oriented project for the city by bringing the for-
mal and informal archetypes, and its peripheral ter-
ritory, together in one comprehensive plan. The idea
was approached through “research by design”.
— 19 —
into an environment of collectivity, going beyond the
simple distinction between public and private space.
The masterplan for the city of Aleppo addressed the
spatial and symbolic definition of a system of “com-
mon spaces”. Architectural devices were used pre-
cisely for the construction, representing the idea of
diverse areas.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
1 — Edward Said in his
“The more insistent we are on the separation of cul- lecture “The Myth of The
tures, the more inaccurate we are about ourselves Clash of Civilizations”,
and about others”1. (Edward W. Said) University of Massachu-
setts, Amherst, 1998.
— 21 —
2 — The term “urbicide” The relevance and importance of this city reaches
became popular in the
1992-95 Bosnian war far beyond local urban interests, and at the same
as a way of referring time it probably no longer is the city as we know
to widespread and
deliberate destruction of it. It acts as a node for an extended territory, a net-
the urban environment. work of geographies and systems rapidly reshaping
Coined by writers on
urban development
its identity and role within an unstable geopolitical
in America, ‘urbicide’ scenario. The transformations and manipulations
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
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also aims to facilitate the access to the city by re- 3 — Lieven De Cauter,
“Architecture and Dis-
building it. It aims to create a local alternative to the aster: the Spatial Order
“traditional” reconstruction programme and, in many of a Dualized World”,
Reader Berlage Institute
ways, an alternative to how public housing and the 2010-11. See “The other
“public city” is typically conceived. Archipelago”, p.11.
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
The issues of accessibility and scarcity of resourc-
es greatly influenced our approach, issues that are
slowly crossing from political-economics into a more
architectural debate. Housing was thought of not as
a form of shelter, but as a form of living.
— 23 —
4 — Looking at recent has moved west. The urban interventions, under and
maps of the destroyed
parts of Aleppo, you can after the French Mandate, along with the recent rapid
see how the informal growth of the planned compounds of the western
settlements have been
heavily affected. This part of the city, have redefined the positional value of
part of the city is a its historic centre. The test projects developed dur-
spatial expression of a
geographical area.
ing the workshop started with an expanded agenda
for public infrastructure, services, housing, religious
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
off dead-end alleys. This
ements that formally define public and private build- historic old city, with its
ings. In fact, the entirety of family life is organised 360 square hectares and
around the space of the courtyard, which is isolated 100,000 inhabitants at
the centre of a metropo-
from the street and provides privacy, safety, and good lis of two million people,
climate in all seasons. Each courtyard is used differ- has been affected by
great social and eco-
ently by each family, according to habits, beliefs, and nomic changes in the
economic status. The same is true for the courtyard past few years. A great
part of the traditional
of mosques5. quarters has become
the residential area of
the poorer classes of
This generic architecture, however, would be struc- the population.
tured by an urban form and spatial composition that
serve as the real catalysts for the transformation 6 — See the definitions
by L. de Cauter, Com-
of the status quo into something more specific. mon Places: Preliminary
Reconsidering the sense of community and intro- Notes on the (Spatial)
Commons, <http://com-
ducing the notion of “common”6, our series of test munity.dewereldmorgen.
projects put forward an alternative approach in be/blogs/lievende-
cauter/2013/10/14/
conceiving primary services and housing. Instead common-places-pre-
of merely being a place of shelter detached from liminary-notes-spatial-
commons>.
the condition of production and cooperation, we in-
troduced a system of common spaces as the place
where different modes of living and working could
be facilitated. Our ideas about the importance of
location, mobility, and the spatial character of the
living conditions, are illustrated through projects
with a unitary architectural approach. By designing
concrete proposals, we have tried to convey the po-
tential quality of an innovative agenda. As a result,
the new urban islands connected by a new infrastruc-
tural network define a comprehensive experience of
the city, re-establishing a balance between the east-
ern and western part of the city with primary services
that the city lacks of today.
— 25 —
7 — The Archipelago The general project for Aleppo would become a punc-
as metaphor of the
new spatial order. See tual and pro-active intervention, able to stimulate
Lieven De Cauter, “The positive urban transformation. In these test projects,
Capsular Civilization:
On the City in the Age we made an argument by means of the architectural
of Fear” (Reflect No. 3), representation of space, namely “urban rooms” or
NAI Publisher, 2004.
“common courtyards”. By emphasising the spatial
impact of the proposal, instead of relying on facts
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 26 —
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B ibliograph y
—
AA.VV., “Architecture of Peace Reloaded”, in Volume n.40, Archis, 2014#2.
Bottici C., Challand B., “The Myth of the Clash of Civilizations”. Rout-
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
ledge, London, 2010.
Coward M., “Urbicide: The Politics of Urban Destruction”, Routledge,
London, 2008.
David J.C., “La formation du tissu de la ville Arabo-islamique; rapport de
l’etude des plans cadas-traux d’Alep”, Environmental Design 13-14, 1993.
De Cauter L., “Architecture and disaster: the spatial order of a dualized
world”, Reader Berlage Institute, 2011.
Dehaene M., De Cauter L., “Heterotopia and the City: Public Space in a
Postcivil Society”, Routledge, London, 2008.
Flint C.(Editor), “The Geography of War and Peace: From Death Camps to
Diplomats”, Oxford University Press, USA, 2004.
— 27 —
ATLAS
Aleppo
Transformation
Landscape
Architecture
Society
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— 29 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
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— Aleppo Archipelago,
The rings system are
established as a transit
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
mechanism. A series
of interventions along
them serve to reinforce
the new urban hierarchy
in accordance with the
other urban clusters
attempting to define an
archipelago of dense
urban artefacts.
— O.M.Ungers. Berlin
as a Green Archipelago,
1977.The project was
based upon the process
of Berlin de-population.
“Berlin as Green
Archipelago” can be
regarded as an example
of a political and formal
interpretation of the city.
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Aleppo Archipelago,
New Urban Islands
(NUI). The logic, visibly
the airport framed by
a low structure will be
a major pole in the est
side of Aleppo.
— Aleppo archetypes:
the “Portico” - canopy
closes the view upwards
and opens it laterally.
— Archetypes in Aleppo:
the wall closes the
lateral view and opens it
to the sky.
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
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H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Exploded axonometry
of the new stations. Every
station is functioning as
a specific hub. They will
host different functions
and activities: healthcare
centres, commercial
areas, markets, housing,
offices, schools. All of
them are linked to the
light rail infrastructures
and to the surroundings,
acting as centralities for
the neighbourhoods.
— Detailed exploded axo-
nometry of two stations
along the rings.
— 35 —
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— 37 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
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— Exploded axonom-
etry of the new public
buildings and public
urban rooms. These are
distributed in specific
areas with specific func-
tions: civic centers, local
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
municipal offices, social
housing, NGO’s and
educational centers, po-
litical laboratories, sport
facilities, community
services. Each of them
has an enclosed green
space with recreational
and sport activities.
— Exploded axonometry
of the new administra-
tive and civic center.
— 39 —
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— 40 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— View from the
encircled plaza within
the forum. The common
square will act as a
representative political
stage; the space of
encounters.
— Fragment of Aleppo
Archipelago top view.
Location of the Forum
(circular building) and
other public buildings in
the vicinity.
— Partial view of the
Forum.
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
UNL AB
— 43 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
Cities are
places of
cohabitation,
where we
share the
needs of
living as part
of an enlarged
community.
UNL AB
— 45 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Exploded axonometry
of the covered plaza. the
module used is 10x10 m.
that is based on the
elemental module of
the Souq (5x5 m.). The
same size has been
used for the three distri-
bution in the Citadel.
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
UNL AB
— Perspective drawing
depicting the urban
room between the two
east-west axis of the
Souq. The arcade opens
up the lateral view pro-
viding a space of “tem-
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
porary permanence”.
The water and palm
threes are the common
natural elements of the
islamic gardens.
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Exploded axonometry
depicting the Citadel
Park. The strategy has
been based on two ele-
ments: one restoring the
remaining buildings and
reusing the holes as the
result of the Citadel mas-
sive destruction; two, the
definition of a plateau
of threes as a natural
oasis in the center of the
city. The grid resulting
from the extension of
the Souq architecture
creates a landscape of
micro-squares in which
a variety of conditions
can be activated (both
outside and inside the
restored buildings). The
grid does not just ex-
presses the urban design
aspect but also refers to
the scientific monitoring
standards in biology. A
system of walkways will
lead the visitor through
the park, sometimes
elevated, sometimes
lowered within the holes
bringing the eye of the
visitor to ground level.
— Drawing depicting
Aleppo Citadel Park.
— 51 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Night view drawing
of Umayyad Mosque of
Aleppo.
— Selection of destroyed
minarets.
— Internal perspective
view of the Umayyad
Mosque of Aleppo. The
corner and the minaret
are new parts (white).
The logic follows the
principal to rebuild the
damaged parts using
glass as a recognisable
intervention and at the
same time opening
the view to the interior
courtyard.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
— Exploded axonometry
of three different types
of patio houses.
— 55 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
UNL AB
— 57 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
What is
“common”
will be
one of
the most
important
struggles
of the 21st
century.
UNL AB
— 59 —
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
UNL AB
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
tained a Postgraduate Master degree in Architecture
and Urbanism at the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam.
His theoretical and practical work focuses on the
relationship between, politics, economy, and large-
scale urban design, exploring the disputed, conflict-
ing, and often paradoxical transformation of cities
and urban environments.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Marlinda Tafaj
Born in Tirana, Albania, Marlinda Tafaj studied at the Poly-
technic University of Tirana, where she obtained her mas-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 62 —
UNL AB
Stud ents
—
H O W C A N W E T U R N A L E P P O ’ S C O N F L I C T I N G N A R R AT I V E S I N T O S T R AT E G I E S T O B U I L D T H E C O M M O N ?
Andrea Belloni Alexander Regno
Enrico Bettin Francesca Rossi
Donia Bizgan Elena Rossi
Riccardo Giovanni Boccato Livia Sassudelli
Gabriel Salomon Calderon Bravo Leonardo Schiavo
Tomas Hector Calvo Canevaro Marta Sette
Edgardo A. M. Cancino Araneda Giammetta Sharon
Nicola Cappelletto Giukia Strippoli
Federico Ceccarello Antonella Tiscorina
Tommaso Cestaro Francesco Todeschini
Collisi Clemens Elena Vazzeoler
Marta Colcone Maddalena Venturini
Filippo Dallago Vittoria Vesentini
Giulio Dalle Vedove Marco Viel
Perla De Caro Marco Zaccarato
Alberto De Pieri Ilaria Zennaro
Mattias Deon Aleksandar Zlatanovic
Batiston Eliana
Giacomo Femetto
Filippo Ferro
Giacomo Frison
Leonardo Giacon
Romanato Giulia
Jana Haidar
Alessandro Lanna
Francesco Luise
Damiano Marin
Benjamin Massai Del Real
Alessia Michelin
Masa Mori
Alberto Parolin
Marta Jesus Perelez Lopez
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB / How Can We Turn Aleppo’s Conflicting Narratives Into Strategies To Build The Common?
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects
FROM BLACK
TO LIGHT.
HOW DO YOU
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
RECONSTRUCT
A MEMORY?
João Ventura Trindade
— SHAHBA / 36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
FROM BLACK
TO LIGHT.
HOW DO YOU
RECONSTRUCT
A MEMORY?
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Shahba
19 Introd uction
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
cannot deny that even the numbers are sizable. In these 15 years, about
23,000 students (not counting students from abroad) and 450 architects
(not counting assistants) have developed a project experience at Univer-
sità Iuav di Venezia that takes place in a narrow span of three weeks,
during which Iuav venues become training and meeting sites. Its open-air
workshop feature has brought many prestigious architects and names of
the international scene to the classroom venues of the Cotonificio Ven-
eziano and Magazzini: Pritzker prizes such as Eduardo Souto de Moura or
Alejandro Aravena, masters such as Yona Friedman and Pancho Guedes,
and renowned professionals such as Sean Godsell or Carme Pinos. Under
their guidance, Iuav undergraduates and foreign participants have devel-
oped (together and making no age distinction) a project experience that
pertains to the city of Venice and many other places as well. The same
summer days also see the spaces of the Santa Marta Auditorium and the
Tolentini Cloister become the scene of large conferences, making it pos-
sible for hundreds of students to follow the latest international projects or
reflections on the most pressing issues concerning cities and territories.
Above all, however, W.A.Ve. is special for the atmosphere that it creates
during its three weeks of work; discussions, projects, and meetings are
often expanded and brought outside the classrooms, in bars and Vene-
tian campi, and in the exhibitions that follow, transforming the campus of
Santa Marta into a major international architecture showcase.
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
João Ventura Tr indade
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
“political and environmental” issue. In fact, one 4 — Letter from John
Adams to Abigail Ad-
of the most pressing topics in the field of civil ams, post 12 May 1780,
commitment (and in the operational field of archi- in L.H. Butterfield, Marc
Friedlaender, eds., “Ad-
tecture) is how to deal with the consequences of ams Family Correspond-
urbicides, with the deliberate violence against cit- ence”, Belknap Press
of Harvard University
ies, with their destruction, and with the intentional Press, Cambridge,1973.
elimination of collective memory made of stone.
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
João Ventura Tr indade
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
Damascus
AL MEZZEH Damascus
MOSUL VMXarchitetti
QABOUN
TAMassociati
ARIHA
Plan Colletif
RAQQA
Giancarlo Mazzanti
AL BAWABIYA
Felipe Assadi
Damascus
SAROUJA
DARAYYA BOM Architecture
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
SHAHBA
João Ventura Trindade
Damascus
DOUMA
Antonella Gallo
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
João Ventura Tr indade
SHAHBA
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
Population
2004 14,784
2017 NA
Description
Shahba is a town located 87 km south of Damascus, in the Hauran re-
gion. It was formerly called Philippopolis, in the name of the emperor,
and it was the capital of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. The new
city followed the extremely regular Roman grid-plan, with the main col-
onnaded Cardo maximus intersecting a colonnaded Decumanus maxi-
mus at a right angle near the centre.
— 11 —
0 5 km
to Damascus
Shaqqa
SHAHBA
to As Suwayda
to As Suwayda
0 1 km
to Damascus
SHAHBA
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
— 16 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
of the city.
— 17 —
João Ventura Tr indade
In trod uction
—
Andrea Castellani
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 19 —
tures: re-activation of water systems, covering public
spaces to help with the climate conditions or to ac-
commodate local markets and more.
Walls, Volcano).
— 20 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Destruction / Erosion
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
slow process of time, a smoother erosion.
— 21 —
aseptic cleanliness or their heavenly purity. The territory
of southern Syria barely suffered the physical violence
of war. Its black and dry landscape is punctuated by the
presence of several volcanoes, which emerged from the
plain non-violent natural processes. Ironically, this part of
the country that has been most subject to the violence of
nature was spared the physical destruction of war.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Desert / Geometry
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
a walled border with 1,000 x 750 m approx., within
which a rectangular grid of blocks, hierarchised from
the central cross, is inscribed. It is in this central
zone that the main public buildings of the city – like
the Forum, Theatre, Temples, and Thermal Baths –
are located. The Roman system of urban organisa-
tion also includes the fundamental infrastructure
elements, established from the same orthogonal
geometry, which are – in the case of Shahba, a city
in the middle of the desert – a collection of architec-
tonic spaces to collect, conduct, and store water.
With the death of Phillipe the Arab, just 5 years after the
foundation of the city, Shahba began a slow physical
and demographic decline that only migrations caused
by war in other areas came to reverse. The Roman
structures were abandoned (or simply not welcome
anymore) and became ruins, debris, and raw material
for the construction of new houses. There is only one
cadastral record of the old aqueduct implantation, car-
rying water from the southeast to the city and Thermal
Baths. The old stone shells excavated in the ground
were deactivated after the construction of a dam near
the town centre, probably because the water storage
was insufficient for the growing population. The old
wall included an upper channel that received water
from the aqueduct, distributing it to the entire city.
— 23 —
Even though the city centre was not fully occupied per
se, more than half of the wall was destroyed to make
room for new constructions spreading out along the
agricultural land. The same happened along the road
to Damascus, on the north side. The Roman system
that allowed to organise a city in a time frame of 20
centuries was abandoned. Today, nothing organises
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 24 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
verse the ruin process, without meaning to restore
the original form. It is not a nostalgic attitude toward
the past. It is a matter of “burying the dead and car-
ing for the living” (as said the Marquis of Pombal,
leading the reconstruction process of Lisbon after
the 1755 earthquake). Once the ruins are stabilised,
another layer is introduced, creating covered spaces
to protect the ruins; spaces that are for public pur-
poses and that mitigate atmospheric factors. The
creation of a cover on an archaeological site is in-
tended for protection but also, and above all, for the
creation of spaces for encounters and multiple so-
cial common uses.
— 25 —
In Arabic,
Shahba
means
“black and
white”.
— 27 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 28 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
— 29 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 30 —
João Ventura Tr indade
— Women wearing
traditional clothing of
druze community.
— Local construc-
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
tion made with black
volcanic earth, covered
in winter snow.
— Detail of a Roman
wall.
— 31 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 32 —
— 33 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
The name Shahba
probably refers
to the contrast
between the
black volcanic
earth and the
white blanket of
snow that covers
it in the winter.
— 35 —
João Ventura Tr indade
— Thermae ruins.
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 36 —
— 37 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 38 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Teatro
Axonometry and picture
of the model.
— Teatro ruins. Credit
Eyad Nofal.
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
— 39 —
There are
two forms
of destruction:
a slow one
by erosion,
and
a rapid one
by violence.
— 41 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Vulcano
Axonometry, photomon-
tage and picture of the
model.
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 46 —
— 47 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Templi
of the model.
Axonometry and picture
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
— 49 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
— 51 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Cinta Muraria
Plan and model.
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 52 —
— 53 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Terme
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 56 —
— 57 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
We are
proposing
infrastructural
spaces.
Something
“in between”,
mediating
the past and
the future.
— 59 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 60 —
João Ventura Tr indade
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
at Evora’s University from 2009; at the Escuela Superior
de Arquitectura y Tecnologia, Madrid - Spain in 2011; at
ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon from 2015.
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Andrea Castellani
After graduating from Università Iuav di Venezia in 2010,
he had different professional experiences in Paraguay,
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Ana Pedro
She graduated from Évora University and Politecnico di
Milano. Between 2012 and 2015, she collaborated as as-
sistant and guest professor at Évora University, and worked
several years in Ventura Trindade Architects. In 2015, she
co-founded Pontoatelier with Pedro Ribeiro, based in Fun-
chal (Madeira Island). She recently won the 1st prize for the
competition Duas casas para as ilhas Selvagens, Madeira.
Pedro Ribeiro
He graduated from Évora University and Politecnico di
Milano. Between 2012 and 2015, he collaborated as as-
sistant and guest professor at Évora University, and worked
several years in Ventura Trindade Architects. In 2015, he
co-founded Pontoatelier with Ana Ferreira, based in Funchal
(Madeira Island). He recently won the 1st prize for the com-
petition Duas casas para as ilhas Selvagens, Madeira.
— 62 —
João Ventura Tr indade
Stud ents
—
F R O M B L A C K T O L I G H T. H O W D O Y O U R E C O N S T R U C T A M E M O R Y ?
Eleonora Dolonato Tommaso Zarpellon
Michele Ferracin
Giovanni Gambarotto
Giulio Giannico
Johanna Hofmann
Aida Koni
Paolo Longo
Farina Ludovica
Filippo Lunardelli
Irene Magrin
Davide Mattarolo
Giorgia Maule
Annamaria Mazzi
Cesare Mazzocato
Marta Murru
Elena Noventa
Vanessa Paccagnella
Daniele Panozzo
Giulia Pecoraro
Emilly Pereira Maciel
Anna Rinaldi
Valentina Savella
Martina Semenzato
Valeria Simonini
Mina Spasojevic
Sabrina Strangio
Elisabetta Toso
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade / From Black To Light. How Do You Reconstruct A Memory?
VMX Architects
VMX Architects
— AL MEZZEH / 33°29’18”N 36°14’40”E
HOW TO
(RE)BUILD
A COMMUNITY?
SYRIA – THE MAKING OF THE FUTURE
ANYWHERE OR
SOMEWHERE
VMX Architects
— AL MEZZEH / 33°29’18”N 36°14’40”E
HOW TO
(RE)BUILD
A COMMUNITY?
ANYWHERE OR
SOMEWHERE
Sponsored by:
W.A.Ve. 2017
Curator: Alberto Ferlenga
Scientific director: Benno Albrecht
Coordination: Jacopo Galli
Organization: Sara Altamore, Alessandro Dal Corso, Letizia Goretti, Tania Sarria
Tutors: Wesam Asali, Maria Thala Al Aswad, Mariam Eissa, Lujain Hadba, Reem Harfoush,
Hasan Mansour, Rolana Rabih, Mounir Sabeh Affaki, Fares Al Saleh
Administration: Lucia Basile, Piera Terone
Graduate Students: Lorenzo Abate, Stefano Bortolato, Leonardo Brancaloni, Michele Brusutti,
Stefano Busetto, Davide Cargnin, Susanna De Vido, Pietropaolo Cristini, Martina Fadanelli,
Martina Germanà, Eugenio Gervasio, Maria Guerra, Irene Guizzo, Alessia Iannoli, Vartivar Jaklian,
Michele Maniero, Maddalena Meneghello, Avitha Panazzi, Silvia Pellizzon, Camilla Pettinelli,
Mariagiulia Pistonese, Giacomo Raffaelli, Elena Salvador, Antonio Signori, Sonia Zucchelli
VMX Architects
How To (Re)Build A Community? Anywhere Or Somewhere
Published by
Incipit Editore S.r.l.
via Asolo 12, Conegliano, TV
editore@incipiteditore.it
Co-published with
Università Iuav di Venezia
Santa Croce 191, Venezia, VE
Copyright
5 W.A.Ve. 2017
10 Al Mezzeh
19 Introd uction
60 Colophon
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 4 —
V M X Architects
Al ber to Ferlenga
W.A.Ve. is now at its fifteenth edition but, despite this, its characterising
formula still works. Since its beginning, when it did not have its current
name yet, being a design workshop and an international architecture ex-
hibition at the same time has made it a unique product. If we consider
that each year more than 1,500 students and 30 teachers are involved, we
For all these reasons, W.A.Ve. is unique and renowned among architects
and students of Architecture around the world, becoming one of the most
representative expressions of a school, Iuav, that has built its peculiar qual-
ity on international exchange, laboratory experience, and on city studies.
— 5 —
Pea c e a n d A rc h itec t u re
—
Benno Albrecht
1 — Elio Vittorini in
We invited many architects to Venice, to contrib-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
“Il Politecnico”, n. 1,
September 29, 1945. ute to the discussion on the reconstruction of
countries destroyed by the madness of men. Like
2 — Pierre Rosanval-
lon, “La democrazia a round table, Università Iuav di Venezia became
dell’emergenza”, “La the venue for the dialogue and discussion on the
Repubblica”, April 16,
2012. possibilities of architecture to preserve and recon-
struct Peace. The will and desire for Peace was the
guest of honour of our 2017 W.A.Ve. workshop.
— 6 —
V M X Architects
3 — Valéry Antoine
concept of architecture (understood as a need, Claude Pasquin, “Venise
consequence or manifestation of something else), et ses environs”, Société
leading the discipline to inevitably participate, as belge de librairie, Brux-
elles, 1842, p.2.
an integral part, in the resolution of a local/global
— 7 —
SYRI A – THE M A K IN G OF T H E F U TU R E
—
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
KOBANE
ALEPPO
AL BAWABIYA RAQQA
TA’UM
NAHLAYA ARIHA
LATAKIA
HAMA
KAFR BUHUM
TARTUS
PALMYRA
BEIRUT
MA’LŪLĀ
DAMASCUS
DARAYYA AL MEZZEH
DOUMA
JARAMANA
QABOUN
SAROUJA
SHAHBA
AMMAN
— 8 —
V M X Architects
W. A . Ve. 2 0 1 7
—
ALEPPO NAHLAYA
Armando Dal Fabbro Solano Benitez
Fernanda De Maio
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
PALMYRA
Roberta Albiero
UNLAB
Francesco Cacciatore
Gaeta Springall
Camillo Magni
Architects
Attilio Santi
Sinan Hassan
BAGHDAD HAMA
Ammar Khammash
Damascus
JARAMANA
Ciro Pirondi
KOBANE
Ricardo Carvalho
MA’LŪLĀ
Salma Samar Damluji
— 9 —
V M X Architects
AL MEZZEH
36°01’31’’ N 36°89’12’’ E
Description
Al Mezzeh is a municipality in Damascus west of Kafr Sousa. It lies
southwest of central Damascus, along the Mezzeh highway. The old
city dates back to the 6th century and some modern structures were
planned and built during the French mandate. The actual development
of the modernist suburb, though, started after Syria became independ-
ent in 1958. Today, the city has a mixed character: there is a planned
area inhabited by high-income and middle-income groups, and there
are rural areas around it hosting immigration and refugees, who con-
struct illegal housing.
— 11 —
DAMASCUS
Al Mezzeh
0 5 km
Mount Qudssaya
Al Mezzeh
to Beirut
0 1 km
Umayyin Square
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 16 —
V M X Architects
— According to HRW’s
satellite images, a
total of 41.6 hectares
of buildings was de-
molished around the Al
Mezzeh military airport,
mainly between Decem-
ber 2012 and July 2013.
In September 2012,
the Syrian president
issued a presidential
decree authorising the
construction of two
urban planning areas
within the governorate
— 17 —
V M X Architects
In trod uction
—
Maar ten Kempenaa r, D o n Mur phy
Conflict
— 19 —
would you go or stay? What is it that you value so
much that you are willing to continue living for to
get it back? Family, dignity, individuality, love, work,
pride, memory: it is these values that should be at
the core or rebuilding a community.
Strategy
— 20 —
V M X Architects
The goal was not to develop a plan for the area, but
rather to come up with appropriate tools; so that if
you were to develop the area, the tools would en-
able you to rebuild in an inclusive way, addressing
the community: tools can that operate on any area
affected by war with the focus of creating a “some-
where” and not an “anywhere”.
— 21 —
U n dersta n din g th e i n v i s i b l e
c on sequ e n c es o f c on f l i ct
—
Ma a r t en Kempena a r, D o n Mur ph y
1 — Popular expression,
author unknown.
Where to start?
How to rebuild a community by understanding.
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 22 —
V M X Architects
— 23 —
– Top-down strategies and government trust: as a
consequence, this allowed for the Marshall plan to
be defined in a more rigid and top-down manner.
There was a high basis of trust in experts and politi-
cians; this, at the moment, is not the case. In a larger
spectrum, one could argue that top-down governing
was a useful strategy to move from industrialisation
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
towards post-industrialisation.
— 24 —
V M X Architects
Where to do it?
The community of Al Mezzeh, Damascus.
— 25 —
A strategy of fragments, harvesting posi-
tive change
The safe haven of Al Mezzeh, Damascus.
— 26 —
V M X Architects
E. Food as a weapon.
Many areas of Al Mezzeh are historical areas of
agriculture and low-density housing. This is one of
them and it is subject to rapid change. This process
is taking place during the conflict and preventing
food production is used as a weapon by the govern-
ment towards its own people. Which tools can we
develop to revert this and use food as a weapon for
the people?
— 27 —
2 — Quote used by Iwan inhabitants has begun, but has slowed down due
Baan, in TED: ingenious
homes in unexpected to the conflict. The designed masterplan could be
places. anywhere. Can we invert this logic? Can we build
new neighbourhoods that reflect specific elements
of Syrian life, like climate, ownership, social struc-
tures, growth, and flexibility?
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Conclusion
Communities are everywhere, and always somewhere.
— 28 —
V M X Architects
— 29 —
Public
life
goes on!
— 31 —
V M X Architects
— 32 —
V M X Architects
— 33 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 34 —
— 35 —
V M X Architects
— 36 —
V M X Architects
— No man is an island.
Concept and impression
of strategy implemented
in urban area.
— No man is an island.
Research and analysis.
— 37 —
Trust me,
I am your
neighbour.
V M X Architects
— Trust in communities.
Examples of re-used ur-
ban spaces for children
in post-war Amsterdam
(Aldo van Eyck).
— 39 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 40 —
V M X Architects
— Food as a weapon.
Masterplan and analysis.
— 41 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 42 —
V M X Architects
— Double density.
Strategies of addition
and requalification.
— 43 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 44 —
— 45 —
V M X Architects
— 46 —
V M X Architects
— New hope.
Development through
time and impression of
wall of memory.
— 47 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 48 —
V M X Architects
— 49 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 50 —
— 51 —
V M X Architects
— 52 —
V M X Architects
— The military.
Concept development
and axonometric view of
implementation.
— 53 —
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
— 54 —
— 55 —
V M X Architects
— 58 —
— 59 —
V M X Architects
— 60 —
V M X Architects
Don Murphy
— Amsterdam, The Netherlands
— 61 —
Tutors and G u ests
—
Maarten Kempenaar
Maarten Kempenaar (1987 Lushoto, Tanzania) is a young
Dutch architect, graduated with an honourable mention at
TU Delft. During and after graduation he worked in Switzer-
S YR I A – T HE M A K IN G OF TH E FUTURE FROM URBICIDE TO TH E A RCH ITECTURE OF TH E CIT Y
Marco Cellini
He graduated with Armando Dal Fabbro at Università Iuav
di Venezia in 2013, with a thesis on the city of Padua. He
has worked with Eric Lapierre Experience (Paris) and Valle
Architetti Associati (Udine). Since 2015, he has been
collaborating with Ceschia&Mentil Architetti Associati
and has been carrying out his design work at Studio Ar-
chitetti Cellini. He has worked with Iuav and the University
of Udine in the undergraduate and graduate degree pro-
grammes with Prof. Pietro Valle.
Placido Luise
He graduated with Angelo Bucci and Alberto Ferlenga at
Università Iuav di Venezia in 2013, with a thesis on the city
of Sao Paulo in Brazil developed during a period of study
at the FAU USP. He worked with Campos Costa Arquitectos
(Lisbon) and Valle Architetti Associati (Udine). Since 2015,
he has been collaborating with Ceschia&Mentil Architetti
Associati. He has collaborated with Javier Corvalan + Co-
letivo Aqua Alta, as part of the 2015 Summer Workshop
and also during his undergraduate and graduate degree
programs with Prof. Pietro Valle.
— 62 —
V M X Architects
Stud ents
—
— 63 —
web: wave2017.iuav.it
mail: workshop2017@iuav.it
Roberta Albiero
Felipe Assadi
Aldo Aymonino
Beals Lyon Arquitectos
Solano Benitez
BOM Architecture
Francesco Cacciatore
Ricardo Carvalho
Armando Dal Fabbro
Salma Samar Damluji
Fernanda De Maio
Gaeta Springall Architects
Antonella Gallo
Sinan Hassan
Ammar Khammash
Camillo Magni - Operastudio
Giancarlo Mazzanti
Patrizia Montini Zimolo
Paredes y Pedrosa
Ciro Pirondi
Plan Collectif
Attilio Santi
TAMassociati
UNLAB
João Ventura Trindade
VMX Architects / How To (Re)Build A Community? Anywhere Or Somewhere