Amsterdam Academy of Architecture Graduation Projects 2013-2014 Architecture Mindaugas Savickas Baltic Notes Re-Arch for a music machine
Mindaugas Savickas Liepu g. 30-11 LT-92113, Klaipeda Lithuania +37(0)6 2523402 m.savickas83@gmail.com architect
Architecture
Mindaugas Savickas Baltic Notes Re-Arch for a music machine
Experiment This project is an architectural experiment on how to reuse waterfront industrial heritage for cultural purposes. Inspired and driven by the changes happening on the shipyard territory of the Baltic harbor-city Klaipeda. Context With its Prussian, German, Soviet and Lithuanian history Klaipeda provides visitors and inhabitants with a rich cultural context. It is a unique urban collage with abandoned, but remarkable 20th century industrial complex – ‘Schiffswerft Memel - Lindenau und cie’ (1919) contrasting with the medieval castle fortifications on the delta of an old river. City inhabitants as well as visitors gather here to celebrate the biggest events of the year, such as Sea Festival, Tall Ship Races, annual Castle Jazz and Song Festivals, etc. The site is turning into a vibrant celebration place. Incentive Klaipeda’s music students lack quality conditions for their development. There are three music schools in the old town area. They accommodate 400-500 students a year. However the facilities are 60 to 80 years old and are poorly equipped considering music practice. Meeting the highest standarts is the new ambition of Klaipeda, which is recently becoming a musical harbour of the Baltic sea due to its proactive posture in entertainment business. Therefore I suggest a new accommodation in the center of city activities. Approach At the spot where WWII german steel ships were made, I propose a learning platform for young and adult musicians. It is a play-full Music Factory under an industrial roof of a former ship berth. This state protected heritage was used to host ships and operated cranes and rails bringing those ships from the water basin. Now all of this will be employed to create an adaptable practice space. It will also work as a ‘Back-up-stage’ benefiting the new Castle Podium. Developing this new learning platform is like building ships. Large steel volumes stand freely ‘floating’ within the existing structure engaged in a balanced dialog. Program The school program is gathered inside these ‘musical ships’. Main practice halls are located on the ground floor utilizing the rail tracks, this way enabling podium and audience platforms be adapted for various genres of music practices. Cranes are operating mobile recording studios and are able to adjust ceiling height to meet the delicate reverberation times. Other functions like a café on the water side will be open for public and accommodate intimate ‘free of charge’ student concerts. Meanwhile private school functions will be located on the upper floors. 55 individual and group practice rooms will accommodate ca. 300 students and ca. 100 teachers. A lifted ‘deck’ (+7,50m) will facilitate the aula of the school with a music library and a study floor employing an inspiring view of the marine panorama. Impact It is a Re-Arch operation where war mashines start playing music, giving a new purpose for the whole public waterfront and setting an example for the future developments. Graduation date 25 09 2013
Commission members Ruurd Roorda (mentor) René Bouman Holger Gladys
Additional members for the examination Robert Winkel Judith Korpershoek Bart Bulter Rob Doomen (Pieters Bouwtechniek) Margriet Lautenbach (Peutz akoestiek)
Mindaugas Savickas
Architecture
Harbor industry - breaking through the wall
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Context scheme - the junction of the main public streams
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Ground floor plan - catalyzing the surroundins
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Mindaugas Savickas
Cross-section
Initial design
Factual usage
Proposed ground floor usage - main halls
Dialogue between mass and structure
Form study
Proposed school level +7.50
Architecture
1st floor - meeting / group practice rooms
2nd floor - individual practice rooms
Mindaugas Savickas
Model - western facade
Interior impression
Master of Architecture / Urbanism / Landscape Architecture Amsterdam Academy of Architecture
Architects, urban designers and landscape architects learn the profession at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture through an intensive combination of work and study. They work in small, partly interdisciplinary groups and are supervised by a select group of practising felÂlow professionals. There is a wide range of options within the programme so that students can put together their own trajectory and specialisation. With the inclusion of the course in Urbanism in 1957 and Landscape Architecture in 1972, the academy is the only architecture school in the Netherlands to bring together the three spatial design disciplines. Some 350 guest tutors are involved in teaching every year. Each of them is a practising designer or a specific expert in his or her particular subject. The three heads of department also have design practices of their own in addition to their work for the Academy. This structure yields an enormous dynamism and energy and ensures that the courses remain closely linked to the current state of the discipline. The courses consist of projects, exercises and lectures. First-year and second-year students also engage in morphological studies. Students work on their own or in small groups. The design projects form the backbone of the curÂriculum.
On the basis of a specific design assignment, students develop knowledge, insight and skills. The exercises are focused on training in those skills that are essential for recognising and solving design problems, such as analytical techniques, knowledge of the repertoire, the use of materials, text analysis, and writing. Many of the exercises are linked to the design projects. The morphological studies concentrate on the making of spatial objects, with the emphasis on creative process and implementation. Students experiment with materials and media forms and gain experience in converting an idea into a creation. During the periods between the terms there are workshops, study trips in the Netherlands and abroad, and other activities. This is also the preferred moment for international exchange projects. The academy regularly invites foreign students for the workshops and recruits wellknown designers from the Netherlands and further afield as tutors. Graduates from the Academy of Architecture are entitled to the following titles: Master of Architecture (MArch), Master of Urbanism (MUrb), or Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA). The Master’s