Analyzing stories!

For analyzing the three locations I came up with the following story: In the book 'City of the blind' by José Saramago creates a world where he transforms blindness into a metaphor for his critique on modern society. Blindness not only stands for the absent of vision, but for showing us what we are, in his eyes.

In the book the "crazy house", that houses all the blind that became infected by the blindness disease, collapsed and burns after the happenings inside reached its climax. The house, that sheltered and gave the people a place on earth, was gone. Most of the people where brought there blind and now have no idea where they are. They lost there link to the earth. Struggling to survive and re finding there place on earth again the story of José Saramago and my research intertwine. From here on we will follow three of the characters out of the book, how they will find there way around the chosen location of my project. There blindness will describe the area from there perspective. Sound, smell, touch, taste will be there world. Concept as time, distance, society, life and dead describe the area on a different level then you and me will see them. With the addition of sound maps and materials gathered from the area this story will provide a map of the area different from our view on the side.

Analyzing the areas on a sensory level and combining them with the story of 'the city of the blind' creates a concept not only formed by the absent of vision. But also one that criticizes modern society and our lack of vision.

The idea (until now!) is to finish the analyzes with a concept model for all three locations based on the analyzes of the area. In the msc 4 one off these models will be the base for the design which I will work out.

Location proposal #2

After thinking of possible locations for the blind institute I came up with three proposals, each with different qualities. The first one was already mentioned last in location proposal #1, namely the Binckhorst in The Hague. A interesting area, full of life and interesting sensory diversity. The master plan of the area shows that the area is transforming into dwelling, offices, companies and park. A contradiction to this location will be my second suggestion: around the koopgoot in Rotterdam. This area is surrounded by retail and leisure shops. It is a always busy and lively place, addressed to commerce. Different is the live around the koopgoot at night. The city of Rotterdam has a center where not many people live. How does this affect the blind? At day busy, lively, hasted, everything is addressed to this commercial way of life. At night empty.

Contradicting both The Hague and Rotterdam is my third proposal: Ter Borg in Schinnen. Ter borg is an old farm and castle located in Limburg at the border of a forest, surrounded by farming land. Close to the location is the train station of Spaubeek and the A76 highway from Eindhoven to Aken. How different is this area then the first two. The people, the work, the commerce, the hasting, the lively surrounding are not to be found here. Here nature takes that place. The forest, the air, the animals create a different kind of lively surrounding.

To select the best location for my institute, I will analyze the three location not only on traditional ways (think of mapping activities, routings, connections etc.). No I'm interested in the blind, so I will analyze the locations on a way a blind person will learn a area. Sound mapping, touching the surrounding and smelling the environment. But also creative writing, exploring an area through different perspectives. All these methods and more will give me an image, or maybe image is not the right word, give me an understanding of the location like the blind have and so choosing the best location.

Location proposal #1

Because my project is focussed on the methodology and not on a site, I am capable of choosing my own location to work on. But how to choose? A idea is to take 2 or 3 different sites. Each with there unique character and possibilities. The plan is to analyze these location on there diversity of senses, showing their lived space through analyzes through hearing, smelling, tasting, touching. But also through various literary techniques like creative writing and working with different characters, perspectives and time. By these methods I'm mapping the lived space of all the locations and placing them next to each other, in order to select the location I will work with for my design.

My first location to investigate is a proposal from Klaske Havik and is the Binckhorst area in The Hague. This site is a old industrial area which the city of The Hague has big plans for. The architectural firm OMA is working on a study of the area and there is a diversity of function already present (cultural, dwelling, commercial, industry). The site is located close to Holland Spoor station and the train is running next to it, just like the river "trekvliet". The diversity of life, the old industrial character and the train and water borders makes this area an outstanding place for a diversity of senses.

Other location will be added when I know them.