Concept Text:
What metaphysical barrier exists such that his urban fabric differs to mine?
The dichotomous divide between proletariat and bourgeoisie is ever growing in the current state of late-stage capitalism- and this social schism is most evident when analysing the architecture of Alserkal Avenue, especially in reference to its neighbors.
The avant-garde hub is awkwardly nested in one of Dubai’s largest industrial areas, which is littered with a plethora of factories and laborer camps.
The act of superimposing a narcissistic building in one of the city’s most divided regions furthers the class divide: anomie and alienation reign.
There is an absence of certain members of society in Alserkal Avenue.
To clarify, this absence is not financially driven- as all warehouses are free of charge; therefore, there is an underlying source of social elitism that the art world promotes- beyond the lens of Dubai, this is an international issue.
Thus, the art world becomes faux culture. The migrant is not considered a member of society: he is not integrated.
SITE:
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
ABOVE:
The isolated site of Alserkal Avenue.
Its surroundings are industrial.
North- Sheikh Zayed Road.
South: Residential (as the color becomes darker,
the socioeconomic conditions deteriorate)
Photoshop Collage:
The Migrant and The Art.
The Migrant and The Art.
Key words:
FETISHISM / FAUX-CULTURE / SOCIAL ELITISM / INTEGRATION / COHESION
Aim:
The aim of the project is to design a more inclusive, interconnected urban space that reduces urban sprawl and alienation through the use of parametric softwares.
The New Urban is comprised of the following:
Layer I- The Hub.
The Art Galleries and Alserkal Avenue itself.
This layer will act as a space of social integration between all members of society.
Layer II- The Factory.
This space is a celebration of the working class through directly integrating their working environment within the overall space.
Layer III- The Living Quarters.
The living space is the third layer, joining the other urban typologies.
And finally,
The Mesh- fully integrates and engulfs the spaces.
Photoshop Collage:
Integration.
Comic strip highlighting the overall project:
Final Outcome:
A large, inclusive, urban space.
