Urban Rejunivation and Character revival through adaptive reuse

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and blinding determination for modernization to compete on global level has resulted in several drawbacks for cities. Loss of character, purpose, communal strengths and failing to safeguard archaic buildings, the essence of any city's past, are just few of them. In order to cater to these concerns, the following thesis focuses on the tool of adaptive reuse or eco-cultural sustainable architecture. It holds the power of not only restoring the archaic buildings but rejuvenating their role in the urban fabric by incorporating programs that are vital for today's society and juxtaposing historical and contemporary approach towards structure, materiality and massing. This relation of a city's architectural epochs is able to portray its evolution through the dialogue of archaic structures and the modern additions. One is able to appreciate the progress of arts, technology, spatial and programmatic evolution and social change through this dialogue of the epochs. These exhausted buildings change the fate of the urban fabric encompassing it though this tool even better, if they occupy a site with great historical association, dying urban role, prime location and strong contextual influence. The prior intent is the identification of urban cores in Rawalpindi, among which the neglected archaic buildings exist that deserve reclamation. The urban core selected for this project is the lateral development parallel to Peshawar road. the spine of communication of the city. The road also borders a collection of historical narratives which are either abandoned or misused. Among these structures; Colonial Bungalows, Kohinoor Club and Sikh residence, the site selected is the once busiest communal platform; Odeon and Plaza Cinema by Lansdowne Trust. The site is now facing constant law suits due to ownership disputes and thus has been locked down and converted into a dumping yard or serving small businesses. The design process revolves around three steps; Restoration, Incorporation and Adaption. But they all converge at the intent of creating a visual and xperiential dialogue, an interaction, an association to allow the past and present to coexist. The program to be incorporated into the structures depended heavily upon interests of RCB to generate revenue, safeguard the memories of locals, security concerns of military authorities and most importantly the lease deed which sanctioned the land for communal purposes only. The program set thus involves a Cinema, a Library and an Art Gallery with Cafes and a Piazza. The design proposal aims to leave a mark for future urban rejuvenation ideas, where brownfield reclamation and adaptive reuse of sites could be effectively made active part of the urban fabric. To set standards for every city for how to achieve Eco-Cultural Sustainability in order to safeguard its culture and heritage.