Writing over with Green
Typology
Renovation / Housing
Location
Coventry, UK
Date
Fall 2023
Renovation of Post-war Modern Development into Living Architecture
Designer
Jaeseo Choi
Studio
Professor
Unit 4A - University of Nottingham
Matt Strong, Amanda Harmer
Stanza 1: Medieval Resonance
Wood blocks echoing Convetry's origins
Stanza 2: Scars of Resilience
Stained and scarred, signifying the impact of the blizt of WWII
Stanza 3: Modernistic Oblivion
White placster cast over existing fabric, symbolizing the erasure of history
Stanza 4: Emergence and Reconciliation
Transluscent cubes and cracked plaster, path to renewal and movement of change
Starting on a journey to understand Coventry, the physical poem unfolds across four stanzas. The first, a compilation of wood blocks, brings back the city’s medieval roots. The second, stained and scarred, signifies the impact of the Blitz in the 2nd World War. The third, a white plaster cast, represents a insensitive modernistic approach. Emerging from this, the fourth stanza features translucent cubes, symbolizing Coventry’s urge of reconciliation and regeneration. It sets the stage for “Writing over with Green,” where “Living Together” and “Rooted to the Land” comes together, aiming to transform Coventry into a regenerative urban example.
At the heart of the building, central baubotanic tower stands tall, not just as a symbol but also as a view point offering panoramic views of the future green transformation. Living bridges extend from the tower, connecting various rooftop areas into one group. Vertical circulation within the tower fosters sense of interconnection between multiple users and nature. The southern wing where dynamic research and material manufacturing workshop is, acts as a backbone of regenerative construction practices. Simultaneously, the northern wing houses two cluster flats, representing ‘Living Together.’ The elevation towards Market Way is multi-leveled, with the retained facade peeking through the baubotanical tree structure, symbolizing the project’s action of ‘Writing over with Green.’
The rooftop parking is transformed into a flourishing space adorned with 2nd story spaces of cluster flats, farming land, and a tree nursery.
In a revealing section, insulative layers cover the interior of existing building facade, ensuring enhanced insulation and energy efficiency. Skylights punch through the rooftop, shining 1st floor common spaces in natural daylight.
The rooftop village structures, built from hempcrete and CLT, gently protrude, suggesting the dynamic expansion of green ideas throughout Coventry. Inspired by the graceful flow of fallen leaves and traditional roof shapes, roofs of the willage forms a skyline that highlights at the central baubotanic tower - a symbol of regenerative change. The overflow of green at the tower is embraced by the rooftop structures and baubotanic facades, embracing Coventry's former concrete space and suggests nature focused future.
