Architecture of Belonging

Mahsa S.F. Moosavi 115276Murat Barbaros 115250Nastaran Chegini 105075

Informal studies in housing 2Arch 570

Founded in circa 648-1192 AD.

Lusignan period (1192-1489)

Venetian period (1489-1571)

Ottoman period (1571-1878)

British period (1878-1960)

The history and urban development of Famagusta date back to the first century AD. As a history town, it has changed many hands at different historical intervals. (Doratli et al 2001; Oktay 2005;Oktay and Conteh 2007)

HISTORY:

Cyprus gained its independence from Britain in 1960 and under self-rule until the events of 1974 which brought about the division of the island into two separate states.

During the ottoman era the non-Muslim population of the city vacated to the outskirts of the town. This was clearly the beginning of spatial segregation of the two dominant communities: the Greek Cypriot community and the Turkish Cypriot Community.

A Brief Information About the History of Varosha(Maraş):

This district of Famagusta was originally built by culturally distinct people, the Greek Cypriots, who were the former settlers of the region before 1974. The region and the locals were experiencing the shiniest days at those times. After the confliction which has been appear in 1974 the Greek Cypriot Community had to leave this region to the southern part of the Island and as a result of this confliction events all the Turkish Cypriot Community around the Island had to move to the North.

According to their needs the Turkish Cypriot Community have made some changes or additions to these houses over the years. But in current days the Turkish Cypriots are leaving this region and moving away to the newly developing districts of the City such as Tuzla and Salamis and while they are leaving they are either renting or selling these houses to the people who started to migrate from Turkey to the Island after 1974 and who are totally incompatible with the texture and culture of this Island. So for this reason the newly comming people have also started to make some changes or additions on these houses according to their needs this time.

The Turkish administration decided to accomodate the people those who migrated from the southern part of the Island to the houses which the Greek Cominity had to left. And these people were mostly from the city of Phaphos which is a coastal city in South-east of the Island. So in all of a sudden the Turkish people who came from Phaphos mostly, found theirselfs in a totally different and strange settlement.

2003 2012

Google map of the selected site:

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HOUSE 1:The family moved to this house in 1980.There are 5 people who live in this house.

Grand floor plan

Living room

Kitchen

WC

Storage

Bedroom

First floor plan

Bedroom

BedroomBedroom

This floor has been added later by this family.

HOUSE 2:

HOUSE 3:The family moved to this house in 5 July 1975. This family is one of the first groups of Turkey migrant.

When the children of the family have grow up, they decided to separate this villa to two different houses, because of that they remove the internal stair case and put the stare case out side of the building.

removed internal stair case

HOUSE 4:Upper floor has been added later.

Main entrance This entrance has been

separated later from main

entrance for second floor .

Grand floor entrance

Foyer

Addition staircase

An Architecture of BelongingHousing for New Canadians

bySandy Pui San Yeung

Keywords: Multiculturalism, person-to-environment fit, supportive settlement, socializing

The research objective: The paper studies the potential of making settlement easier by proposing an architecture of belonging. The goal is to create a welcoming place for newcomers that responds to everyday needs.The definition of belonging:“Belonging” is defined as being connected with a person or thing, and also having possession.

A brief Research into the life of immigrants makes clear that not every newcomer is able to gain full inclusion in new society.This group of newcomers become particularly defenseless to falling into spiral of poverty that can be difficult to escape.

“suitable dwellings are those reported by their residents as not requiring any major repairs and also have enough bedrooms for the size and make-up of resident households..”( Gallagher, House Thinking)

immigrants have always played an integral part in shaping society into the multicultural nation which it has become. Along with personal belongings, immigrants have brought with them, their unique memories and beliefs, as well as the cultural and lifestyle norms of their country of origin.

Introduction

Considering the domino effect of housing conditions on a family’s living standards, the role and the types of support available in the community should provide more than the basic need for shelter. First impressions and lessons about this foreign land come predominantly through the neighborhood. The relationship between the host communities and the newcomers is significant in defining favorable or difficult everyday conditions for settlement and integration.

IntroductionArchitecture of belonging creates a supportive environment for guiding newcomers to quickly establish a sense of belonging and an independent basis.

It is important how spatial relationships affect people-to-people behaviors, cross cultural interactions, and also architecture and urban developments.A community culture that is inclusive of immigrants’ needs contributes to breaking down the barriers.Architecture of belonging creates a supportive environment for guiding newcomers to quickly establish a sense of belonging and an independent footing.

Site of St. Christopher House in Toronto.the organization and design of the proposed community-supported housing establishes a small community. It houses a variety of programs, activities and users. Since the building works as both a social destination and a private residence, well-thought-out spatial planning is very important.

The communal courtyard is shaped and oriented to capture natural sunlight and fresh air, for the healthy living conditions. These are then distributed to the other areas wrapped around the courtyard. This is a community for local residents and a city for everyone. The spirit and core essences of architecture of belonging are rooted in and radiate from the heart of the community and its people.

Privacy and Ownership: A variety of flexible unit design accommodates different family needs. Full ownership gives residents security and stability in everyday life.Choice of Participation: Welcoming and convenient access to community life offer members the choice of participation at their comfort level.

Bottom-up management approach: Channels of communication for each member to engage in neighborhood affairs.

Architecture – a mirror of everyday life

An architecture of belonging proposes an inclusive-community culture to give less advantaged members the same choices and opportunities as others to achieve good quality living. The overall intent of the exploration is to bridge the detachment between the vision and the reality of multiculturalism

The role of architecture, in this case, establishes a place of connections to unite everyone as a family of neighbors, and supports atypical everyday needs with changeable design features and building programs.

Common living spaceEach floor works like a small community of in-house residents within the larger complex. As a cluster of units, there is a common area for meetings and other domestic activities. Like a local street lined up with small front porches, the units are arranged around the exterior courtyard garden.

St. Christopher Commons (L) : An outdoor living room for the whole community. A centralized social node for all residents, visitors and program users.

Common Floor Lounge (M): Common floor meeting place for building residents.

Apartment local street (S): By invitation only, the patio a cozy gathering place for friends and close neighbors'.

Ground floor plan

Second floor plan

Common Floor Lounge (M): Common floor meeting place for building residents.

Third and typical residential floors plan

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Meet Everyday NeedsNetworking and Building RelationshipsRediscovering Meaning in Life

Basement plan, parking and storage

The Neighborhood House

With gentrify* action happening all around the project site area, many affordable social buildings, like the local coffee houses, are being replaced with expensive, trendy bars. As a result, some seniors are relocating their daily social interactions along the sidewalks just outside of the building.The redeveloped neighborhood house is designed as an everyday social destination. Its physical existence has a much stronger relationship with surrounding neighborhood and city life. An open-concept design visually spills people activities out into the streets.Social nodes are located where people activities most often take place or cross paths. These are convenient places for unplanned socializations as people go about their daily tasks.*Gentrify: improve a neighborhood by renovating old...

For All Seasons: Aside from the very hottest days, summer in Canada is usually comfortable, but getting used to Canada’s cold winter is more difficult, especially for newcomers from warmer climates. Harsh conditions reduce the season for comfortable outdoor activities, such as evening walks in the park. The unwillingness to leave the house, decreased mobility and social life patterns as a result of winter inconveniences all combine to reduce people’s physical and social well-being.

The life-changing decision made by every immigrant that chooses to move permanently to any place involves not only an investment of money, but also a leap of faith. The lack of support and the challenges of securing basic living necessities compromise their chances of gaining the necessary stability that allow them to fit into the mainstream culture.architecture is a tool to create a resourceful place that has everything to fulfill the Immigrants dream. Two critical design features are used to support this new principle of creating supportive settlement.1-adaptable residential units are designed to be capable of fitting into a variety of family arrangements and lifestyle routines.

2- a variety of comfortable resting places for socializing, And the deliberate use of all possible architectural intervention to bring interest and diversity to the everyday life experience.

Conclusion: