Reshaping Modern High-Rises.
Anne Lacacton spoke at the at the Min to Max Symposium in Berlin on December 11, 2011. Her words were inspiring when talking about renovations for old modernist housing developments.
With the government offering a budget of over 18 billion Euro, Lacaton, Frédéric Druot, and Jean Philippe Vassal were challenged to
"First, to look for the values, to the existing qualities there, in order to keep them
carefully. Then, analyze what is not working, what is missing, what should be
modified, or added."
Lacaton, Druot, and Vassal are among those who reject the calls for demolition, favoring instead to retrofit existing structures. Through their work, they aimed to demonstrate that adapting and upgrading is both more economical and ecologically sound than tearing down and building anew. Based on previous research as well as interviews with a large number of buildng residents, the three decided to focus on expanding living spaces and increasing natural light in each apartment.
Their proposal added a floor slab that would increase the footprint of each apartment by roughly 15%, along with a new exterior structure. By adapting existing structures to present-day housing needs, Druot, Lacaton, and Vassal are giving the criticized residential high-rises of modernism new life.
"First, to look for the values, to the existing qualities there, in order to keep them
carefully. Then, analyze what is not working, what is missing, what should be
modified, or added."
Lacaton, Druot, and Vassal are among those who reject the calls for demolition, favoring instead to retrofit existing structures. Through their work, they aimed to demonstrate that adapting and upgrading is both more economical and ecologically sound than tearing down and building anew. Based on previous research as well as interviews with a large number of buildng residents, the three decided to focus on expanding living spaces and increasing natural light in each apartment.
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