Scale 1:1000

In Prato, there is abnormal number of Chinese in Prato, due to a flux of migrant workers looking for work.This ethnic body has had serious transitional difficulties integrating into its local community, resulting in a formation of its own city centre, and having been segregated from the local Italians creates a tension of “the sphere of local identity...and misunderstanding of migrant identity”. Studies have been conducted on this extreme situation, and surmised that Prato’s Ethnic Groups have a need for “appropriate urban space and housing”. For most of these immigrants, their life isn’t necessarily better having moved out of their homeland, but now are being outcasts in an alien country.

From accounted interviews several locals Italian and Ethnic, both sides agree that there is need for a shared event space. The Chinese desire to uphold their culture of celebrations and festivals, but lack the appropriate space to do so. The different ethnic groups, from Chinese and Italians, to Nigerians and Pakistani, need a shared event space, a place to celebrate, a place to interact by mingling. This act of mingling, of human interchange promotes integration for these immigrants with the local, and the market is a successful example. With continual discourse and trust built upon social exchanges, respect for each other becomes the key to instilling a sense of belonging and cultural awareness. Prato’s extreme immigrant problem calls for a need of social events. Events geared for large scales that involve the local and greater community, but also events that form the everyday, that occur when people mingle.

The Piazza Mercato Nuovo is an ideal location to implement a shared event space, located outside the walls and similar proximity from the city centre as Chinatown is, it exists where mixed interactions carry much potential, and the established monday morning market has already initiated and shown it works well as a hub of social exchange.

For the Site of Piazza Mercato, I introduce set of open celebration spaces, represented by the yellow, pairing up each one to a context: one event space uses the natural landscape as a backdrop; another is within proximity of a local Buddhist temple if they require an outdoor space; the last as a central core to link the rest of the program

From analysing the demographics of young working migrants, shared housing is the most ideal accommodation. I explore the similarities with the ideals of Italians and other ethnic groups for varied appeal and compatibility. I Extract from a model of old chinese housing that utilises two courtyards for light and shared facilities, and draw parallels with the Old Italian courtyard houses. And then drawing from these principles, basing and augmenting a model of medium density housing. Their climatic and lighting strategies would be suitable for adaption.Each house has a public front courtyard, and a larger inner courtyard, with a rear balcony to retreat to. The exposed circulation helps this notion of everyday mingling.

I then pair up housing zones with a celebration space, with hybrid uses to facilitate the each space. The site’s current trees to are projected primarily remain for circulation and as boulevard for interconnection between zones. The houses are positioned to address each public celebration space. Each module is oriented to create opportunities for intimate spaces, sheltered, and non-sheltered. The rooftop walkwa y extends circulation up into a viewing platform, and again creates opportunities for spaces to be used. The carpark is brought underground, but elevators spit out the human traffic in key areas close proximity to housing and event space. The implementation strategy is to resurface one set of celebrative and housing space, while the market appropriates the other zones, and cycles for each sector’s construction.

HillsideBackdrop

Residential/RestaurantZone

Buddhist TempleGROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR

PRATO: the need for SHARED EVENT SPACEPiazza Mercato NuovoBy John Low

Scale 1:500

I then carry out researching how independent ethnic groups appropriate space differently. I extract from my observations a strategy of defining edges as opportunity for activity, and from these strategies, develop an understanding of the appeal of diverse adaptability, range of function, and varied intensity. Following from my examination of public spaces, I Introduce devices that have multiple functions, and can be adapted and interacted by the public. These devices can function and facilitate festivals, or for the everyday usage. They are literally Frameworks of architecture that can be appropriated, adaptable and considerate for the different uses of different ethnic groups. I locate devices in the space that work with its context, and allow for activity. Some are positioned to frame a view, activate a tree line, or enhance the value of a space. They facilitate the intimate spaces of the everyday, in the shelter of the houses, or on the decked pathways. All the elements are curated to allow for the spontaneous creation of a collective space. The Architectural Devices encourage possibilities for the celebrative events. A framed bus stop can be wrapped into an exciting archway for the lion dancers to perform beneath, the frontal courtyards and balconies become prime spots to view the celebration. The idea is that the space can transform with different kinds of activity, for all Ethnic groups, while equally treating the everyday event with the same respect. During celebrations, there is a dynamic contrast formed from the Opening and closing of spaces. The permeability of the space emphasises making use of the appropriate opportunities for a variety of experiences. The architecture adapts to support and facilitate the event.

This is my scheme, a shared event space that facilitates the event social exchange, that equally looks at the celebrative and the everyday interaction to integrate the ethnic groups in Prato. It is moving towards a direction of a greater awareness of the value cultural differences, and being comfortable and respectful to each other’s cultures, and mediating the racial pressures of Prato.

Scenario 1: Everyday use of Space

Scenario 3: Event Usage: Chinese New YearScenario 3: Monday Morning Market

By John Low