Sociocultural Facilities and Resilient Architectural Systems: The Cable Factory and Can Batlló

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5821/ace.19.57.12681

Keywords:

resilient architecture, spatial indeterminacy, raw space, freespace

Abstract

Resilience in the field of spatial planning contributes to the sustainable development of socio-spatial systems and deals with the unpredictable effects of climate change in urban areas. This article discusses resilient architecture by comparing two case studies: the former industrial complexes transformed into sociocultural facilities of the Cable Factory in Helsinki and Can Batlló in Barcelona. Through a grounded theory methodology, this research combines three inductive methods to collect data: semi-structured interviews, observational research, and secondary research. The aim of this work is to define properties and characteristics that promote the creation of a conceptual framework in resilient architecture from an evolutionary resilience approach and, thus, contribute to the projection of resilient cities. Thanks to the planning of spatial indeterminacy, the resilient properties of persistence, adaptation and transformation are identified in the architectural systems of both cases. The results show 16 resilient characteristics that are integrated in the spatial, social and temporal dimensions. Two categories of indeterminate space are also distinguished: raw space at the Cable Factory and freespace at Can Batlló. It is concluded that indeterminate spaces offer freedom of appropriation and confront obsolescence and change of use through evolvability and flexibility.

Author Biographies

Fèlix Breton, University of Girona

Roses, 1994. PhD architect with international mention by the University of Girona (2023). Member of the 'Architecture and Territory' research group and substitute professor in the Architectural Composition area of ​​the Architectural Studies degree at the University of Girona. In 2020, he stayed as a visiting researcher at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture of Aalto University (Finland). He has presented at several international conferences such as ‘Grand Projects in 2021 or ‘Fundamentos y práctica de la ciudad sostenible’ in 2019. He participated in the Venice Architecture Biennale, within the exhibition 'RCR. Sueño y Naturaleza' in the Catalonia Pavilion in 2018. Honorable Mention for his doctoral thesis ‘Arquitectura resiliente en el siglo XXI. Construyendo una teoría a través de ocho casos europeos’ at the Humanities and Arts Award 2023, awarded by the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain (RADE).

Marisa García-Vergara, University of Girona

Uruguay, 1965. PhD by the UPC (2006), professor Serra Húnter of Architectural Composition at the University of Girona (2008). She has published in The Journal of Architecture, 26-8, 2021; Estudios del Hábitat, 19, 2021; Histories of Postwar Architecture, 4, 2019; Crossing Frontiers: International networks of Spanish architecture (1939-1975), Asimétricas, Iniciativa Digital Politècnica, 2021.

Downloads

  • PDF (Español (España))
    • PDF

Published

2025-02-28

Issue

Year 19, issue 57 (Feb. 2025)

Section

Thesis section

License

INTELECTUAL PROTECTION CRITERIA

At this moment, it is count with the "Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas", while global protection it is being processed by the World Intelectual Property Organization (OMPI/WIPO). Nevertheless the International Standard Serial Number Office (ISSN) has given the following numbers ISSN: 1886-4805 (electronic version) and 1887-7052 (paper version). All articles will be peer reviewed, using double blind reviewing.

 
COPYRIGHT

The article contents and their comments are authors exclusive liability, and do not reflect necessarily the journal editor commitee's opinion. All ACE published works are subject to the following licence CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 ES http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/ It implies that authors do not hold nor retain the copyright without restrictions but only those included in the licence.