Activating Architecture in Urban Spaces

34
The Temporary Square
A good city space should be able to accommodate the
processes and the life that contributes to shaping them.
The city space should to a certain extent be conceived and
developed with a measure of flexibility in its design, allowing
it to encompass and absorb varied functions and activities.
Temporary activities can serve as a method for quickly
bringing life to an area.
Historical town squares can be static in appearance and may
primarily be perceived visually. However, they can still be
assigned temporary functions and contribute to creating a
setting for an active city life.
Play or Rewind, Siena
accommodate
activities
adjust courts
to context
open
character
inherent
qualities
Play or Rewind was a temporary activation of the historic
squares in Siena, Italy. The squares, seemingly frozen in
time, were revived in June 2001 by means of a temporary
activation. Their often primarily visual function was
activated by movement and experience of the squares in
new perspectives. The project sought to create a series
of new playgrounds in the public spaces of the town,
interplaying with the historical rhythm of streets, alleys,
buildings and squares. Traditional courts for soccer,
volleyball and bowling were drawn up on the historic
squares and thus placed in very untraditional contexts.
This led to a different form of use and a different set
of rules. The size and shape of the courts had to be
deformed in order to fit into the urban space. This means
that court lines had to run across objects and facades,
creating different playing fields. This confrontation of
sports and city space created unique playing fields that
led to new interpretations of the game. All demarcations
were carried out so that activities remained easily
recognisable and appeared open to everyone. There
was no need for rules or instructions, but the squares
encouraged random and informal play with random
passersby and with the structures of the square.
The white demarcation of the court runs across buildings, creating a novel interpretation of the activity while placing the city space in
a new context. Urban volleyball court, Play or Rewind, Siena, Italy, June 2001. CLIOSTRAAT, Italy
temporary
use