Himanshu Sanghani

advisor

KTH Kungliga Tekniska högskolan

India

I strongly believe in structuring and scrutinising the practical approach to draw strategies for… more

Your project holds a significant value. The site requires much needed refurbishment as it has been in a lot of controversies but I feel the approach you have taken to re-establish the identity does not hold the strongest value or support the northern region of the site. I feel you should have chosen the programs for the site very carefully by understanding the context thoroughly. In last decade many of the news agency and/or reporters or agencies have mentioned that the space hold the highest value of becoming a holocaust memorial that would attract tourism and enable the various communities to understand the courage behind being a tactful saviour vs the atrocities of reign. If I am not wrong then the core function of the factory way back between 1800 - 1940 was textile, which was taken over by Germans and later converted to German Enamelware Factory; considering the northern part to be that memorial all the new functions in the southern site should support the cause mainly textile and enamelware i.e. identify the adaptive use of productive buildings, then associate a function to the most valuable building and then stage the workshop and residential area to support the museum. This would not only attract tourism but would make Brněnec a hub of textile and enamelware. I was perplexed to see that the programs were not defined in that order, you may argue but I feel these two activities are the strongest suit.

The demography of Brněnec is declining over a decade by an average of 6% and if this continues slowly the town would cease to operate (although least likely); hence it is important to identify the correct functions to attract people, which would support other ancillary functions within the town. You could have divided the functions on a 30%-30%-40% rule. 30% - Larger areas of workshops for the two core activities, 30% - Areas for export and import business and 40% - Residential areas/Visitor's stay area + Green Areas. In terms of sustainability, carefully consider the year-round activities so that it continues to be significant project.

Focusing on the pavilion the condition then showcased a balance between functions and services. First of all are the programs you have highlighted necessary? There is no clear statement on that. Second of all even if the programs are required I feel the proposed plans on each floor could have been rearranged; does the workshop area have heavy equipment? If yes, then how are they brought on the 2nd floor? I don't see any lift area. You could have moved the 1st floor functions to 2nd floor as they are more quieter in nature, except play area. You don't want students to climb down stairs making noise and disturbing the other areas such as library, computer rooms. I think incorporating local values and clarity in aligning the project's design with the values, traditions, and identity will strengthen the grounds of the theme and purpose.

Nonetheless, it is a brave step towards much needed refurbishing of the site, keep working on the above aspects and I am sure the project redefinition will lead to its success.