EPHEMERAL SITES IN THE CITY

UPENN // Philadelphia, USA

SITUATION

Cities are increasingly in the problematic situation of a general deficiency of public spaces of different scales (squares, countyards, meeting places, …), sites of enrichment and poetry. While at the same time, many unused open places like unbuilt plots, made lands,… are found dispersed in the urban texture.

OBJECT

The intention of this studio will be to investigate the idea of recovering these places for a provisional period of time and reinterpret them as ephemeral sites: spaces conquered for the public. These now temporary places may be “occupied” until a new final designation for the ‘ground’ is given.
In the one hand, we will take the liberty of imaginative speculation, yet on the other we will attempt to constantly situate the research and proposal within real needs manifested in the city of Philadelphia.

SITE

The area of study, within the urban fabric of Philadelphia, is yet to be defined. It could be a quarter or a particular part of the city with its own character. The precinct could then be extended for more complete research work or confrontation.