SOUK

Mastercourse SS2016
Institut für Gestaltung. Studio 2
Innsbruck University

tutorS

Prof. Benedict Anderson, Annette Erlenwein

TASK

Through concept generation, iterative modelling and programming Souk ( سوق ) studio seeks to appropriate the Souk–the traditional market place of Arabic commercial activity–to create a contemporary concept for a Souk in the city of Innsbruck. European Government and NGOs continue to address the vast amount of refugees fleeing warzones and economic hardship from their own countries and making their way to Europe for a better life–free of war. Whilst most European government’s provide accommodation, food and basic medical facilities the ability to become economically independent for full integration into European societies needs addressing. Many refugees come to Europe with varying professional, trade and craft based skills that are not been fully utilized.

The Souk studio is sited at the Hafen where the aim is to develop a series of micro-industries that apply the skills and knowledge of refugees into the commercial and cultural fabric of Innsbruck. This integration will be devised as a two-way street:

1. The refugees become part of the economy but also offer language and cultural exchange with the people of Innsbruck.

2. The City and people of Innsbruck offer a diversity of support in order to create the environment in which to build the integration.

ProgramME

The programme is to design a contemporary Souk for the City of Innsbruck covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters. The program should provide no less than 8 different commodities/services/facilities. Students work in pairs to undertake the research, design and documentation of their Souk project. Each pair will develop their program for a contemporary Souk that will also form its social and cultural identity. The program should provide a diversity allowing for the Souk to transition from its daily operations to night activities. Acting like a plug-in morphology of the Arabic Souk, the program will promote economic independence and social osmosis between the Souk and residents of Innsbruck. The programme will have at least one or more of the following:

Services – mercantile, handcraft commodities, food market, services tailor, laundry, engraver, gardener and doctor etc.

Agency – interface between Innsbruck and refugees, communication, social awareness, law representation and support to promote refugee skills.

Education – education opportunities, skill exchange between refugees and people of Innsbruck, dual language classes, workshops.

Culture – exchange, meeting point, music, concerts, stage and religious facilities.

Recreation – sports, hiking, gardening, mercantile, Haman, tearoom, shisha.