Luke Zili He + Wenan Hu
Our thesis examines the intersection between the typology of ancient city walls and that of large. “The wall is interpreted by Piranesi as the basic element of the city. In contrast with the rise of the modern city—which is based on the street—Piranesi opted for the obstructive nature of the wall. The wall is what contains. defines. channels. constraints, limits. stops. articulates and divides”. - A field of walls, Dogma
Our thesis examines the intersection between the typology of ancient city walls and that of large buildings. We view this issue as how a wall constitutes a building and its impact on the organization of interior spaces within it. Ancient city walls are not just simple stone defense walls with solid infills; they actually contain usable spaces, including courtyards, functional rooms, and corridors. The original city wall on the port of Alicante and our precedents, such as the Boukoleon Palace, Pearl Mosque, and Pompeii Forum, speak to this discussion. After dissecting and unfolding these precedents, the analysis reveals that the wall sustains both contextual and functional performances by commanding unity within the interior programs and among the exterior experience along the wall. The wall serves as both a security infrastructure and a social and organizational structure. A wall is not only a figure full of turns and edges but also a linking device that connects all the rooms and experiences associated with it.
To challenge the premises of wall typology, this project situated itself in the program of the convention center. We see the “wall” as the main generator of the architecture. By intentionally folding the 'wall' multiple times, our project transformed the once industrial port in Alicante into a civic courtyard. This new space is intimately connected with its surrounding shoreline. Additionally, this approach challenged the conventional, segmented organization of spaces within the convention center. The turns, edges, and bulges of the wall command continuity in the circulation, which is one that doesn’t serve for efficiency but rather the viewing experience of both the activities within the exhibition hall & auditorium and the waterfront sights, creating a panoramic scenario both on the interior and exterior.
