Pratt Institute

Painterly Urbanism

We introduce a set of painterly techniques into our ongoing design research project Material Urbanism, which assigns agency to Material behaviors, Robotic fabrication, and current state AI engines.

Material Urbanism

Material Urbanism refers to a design method and a disciplinary position for urban design. It is invested in the materiality of the urban condition and promotes a reading of the city as an organism of living matter. As a disciplinary position, Material Urbanism points to urban atmospheres and sensations as material effects that cannot be produced by purely rational operations of a top-down planning method. As a design method it gives agency to material behaviors and—in the present study—to viscous actions of paint on canvas. This method attempts to uproot the deep-seated idea that designer and design material interactions are always already hierarchical, aims at a less anthropocentric approach to urban design, and offers a method for engaging with the city in crisis.

Painterly Robotics

The studio discusses changing concepts of Nature as they pertain to ecological thinking and building and addresses the architectural mandate in the midst of a global climate crisis. Considering concepts of Nature themselves as artificial constructs, the studio aims at overcoming the separations between built and grown structures, and designer versus design material. The studio takes a material approach to the post-digital project in current architectural discourse. It ascribes design intelligence to both the material (paint) and the universal machine (robot) that acts upon it. Robots here are not mere manufacturing laborers, but they are invited to enter into a creative dialogue with the human designer and material.

Fair Structures

The studio explores the interlaced relationships of environmental, socio-political, and structural equities. The many bridges across the Han River represent a socio-economic stitching of North and South, the old city and the new commercial city, while their separation by the river mirrors the division of the country at large—The North and The South. An effect of human impact on the planet, frequently recurring floods of the river primarily affect low-income Seoul citizens, the dwellers of the subterranean sphere—banjiha. Amid a global climate crisis, the studio promotes a new understanding of Natural structures that support equitable co-existence and connectivity between humans and their environment in the specific context of Seoul, South Korea.

Manifesting Vessels Across the Han River

"Manifesting Vessels Across the Han River," a project by Pratt Institute, reimagines spatial arrangements using vessels on a bridge. The design aims to create a harmonious environment by blending spaces for co-living, Korean cultural experiences, and nature in an urban setting. The bridge, connecting Seoul's urban area with its natural surroundings, hosts diverse species and engages people in observing clay filtering, exploring a food market with folding roofs, and experiencing fermentation spaces.
The vessel concept shapes the project's language, encompassing filtering, folding, containment, and perforation. Filtering and containment aid storage, collecting rainwater for clay workshops and housing fermentation spaces. Folding and perforation foster transitions, framing market stalls and connecting outdoor areas. This approach yields varied spatial configurations, transforming the bridge into a future megacity habitat.

The living environment caters to cross-species interactions and human needs. Wetlands host native species, while clay-formed shelters house endangered Eurasian Otters. Human spaces provide paths for exercise and roads beneath the wetland curb noise pollution. Porous platforms sustain flora and filter water pollutants. Greenhouses foster crops through aquaponics, aligning with fermentation and cultural activities. Markets facilitate exchange in this self-reliant urban habitat along the Han River, intertwining nature and culture.

POWERPELAGO

Powerpelago, a cultural nodal system, forms an archipelago of cultural hubs connected by water-centric infrastructure, renewable energy, and water purification. Spanning Seoul's core, it links Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments' waterside, Seoul Forest, and Dalmaji Park, historically united by the Han River's vibrant cultural activities. Powerpelago rejuvenates this spirit, employing water filtration and energy systems to reduce fossil fuel dependency in line with Seoul's 30–50-year pollution and climate-focused plan. Looking a century ahead, it serves as a blueprint for a cleaner, greener Seoul, illustrating the significance of clean energy and contributing to a more sustainable future while preserving the Han River's historical essence as a cultural and societal hub.

Bridging a Permeable. City across the Hangang River in Seoul

The project aims to reshape the urban connection sustainably, focusing on permeable cities for better accessibility and walkability. The entire city is elevated to address flooding, ensuring access to resources. Interconnecting volumes and paths collect and redistribute movement and resources with wetlands at the base. Infrastructure is key, with a pedestrian bridge and midair garden connecting residential zones, offering scenic views. A conservancy center nearby leverages Seoul Forest, serving as a research hub and promoting conservation awareness. The circular center engages visitors, showcasing conservation practices. Proposed features include show stages, K-pop stores, tea houses, and galleries. Below, accessible public areas feature retail, coffee shops, and immersive spaces that blur indoor and outdoor, drawing visitors in.