1. “Typically architects are more aware of the differences that seperate
them, giving their work an aura of novelty and originality. This leaves
behind the common references and goals that contribute to the long-
term relevance of their work.”
Dalibor Vesely in Architecture in the Age of Divided Representation, 2004
Common Ground
A Tributarium for Danish Rowing at Islands Brygge Syd
Assignment 3
Faculty: Henning Thomsen

2. DIS Architecture + Design Fall 2012
Assignment 3: A Tributarium for Danish Rowing
The Theme
“Can single buildings contribute to the formation of common ground?” Thus begins
David Leatherbarrows contribution to David Chipperfields critical reader, Common
Ground, that was prepared for this years Venice Architecture Biennale - which
incidentally Chipperfield is curating. This will be the theme for the third assignment.
The theme is also the theme David Chipperfield chose for the Biennale. About it he
says: “I chose this theme in order to question the priorities that seem to dominate
our time, priorities that focus on the individual, on privilege, on the spectacular and
the special. These priorities seem to overlook the normal, the social, the common. I
was concerned to encourage a more critical examination of what we share, with the
awareness of what seperates us and how we are all unique. To consider our common
influences, concerns and visions may help us better understand the discipline of
architecture and its relation to society.”
Islands Brygge Syd - the site
The Commission
In 2012 The Danish Rowing Federation celebrates its 125th years anniversary.
Denmark has a strong tradition for rowing and has won many medals in
international championships as well as in the Olympics, beginning with the first
medal in London Olympics in 1912. To mark the ocassion, it has been decided to
build a ‘Tributarium’ for Danish rowing. A ‘Tributarium’ is a place to study, enjoy and
pay tribute to the strong rowing tradition as well as to raise the interest in rowing in
general to keep the tradition alive. The building will house a collection of important
rowing paraphernalia as well as more contemporary forms of interactive and digital
media supported exhibitions. The Municipality has granted the Rowing Federation
acces to the site on the condition, that the Tributarium will also work as an urban
attractor for the new development in the area in general. Thus the Tributarium must
be thought of as an inviting and inspiring place in this part of the city, a destination
and a place to go to and a place where people should also be given the opportunity
to hang out without necessarily going through the exhibitions.
Islands Brygge Syd - the site
The Area
Islands Brygge is a neighborhood situated at the north-westerly part of the island of
Amager. Bryggen, as it is also often referred to, was created by landfills carried out in
the 1880s. The landfills were carried out to create a harbourfront and piers on which
new industries were located, most prominently the Danish Soya-bean cake factory.
This factory exploded on July 15 1980, killing 23 people. This was the beginning of
the end for the industrial areas on Islands brygge. Since then the harbour front has
been transformed from industry to residential and recreational use. Islands Brygge
Havnepark (Harbour Park) featuring the harbour bath by Plot/BIG and the citizen
lead park development, have transformed this area to a higly attractive location in
the city. New developments further to the west are the next step. The area is very
close to Amager Fælled, the green commons situated to the south - an expansive
recreational area with paths for walking, running and cycling.
The Plot
The Danish Rowing Federation has acquired a plot in the southern harbour of
Copenhagen, just across from Denmarks oldest rowing club, Copenhagen Rowing
Club, established in 1866. The site is called Islands Brygge Syd and there is a local
plan for the area, that stipulates a mix of residential, cultural and commercial
activities. A masterplan has been created for the area that suggests a new artificial
creek in connection with the existing harbour. The creek works as the divider
between the two different areas in the masterplan, one being the continuation of
the block/courtyard structure to the north, the other being the more free layout of
towers, rowhouses and individual buildings to the south. Currently there are ideas
to have two connections across the new creek, one a path and bridge to the front at
the very edge of the harbour, and the other, a road and bridge that will connect to
the existing Islands Brygge road. The site itself is on the southern part towards the
harbour front as indicated on the drawing to the left.
Islands Brygge Syd - proposed masterplan

3. DIS Architecture + Design Fall 2012
Assignment 3: A Tributarium for Danish Rowing
Readings
David Chipperfield, Introduction, in Common Ground - a critical reader/ Venice
Biennale of Architecture 2012
David Leatherbarrow: The Sacrifice of Space, in Common Ground - a critical reader/
Venice Biennale of Architecture 2012
Jan Gehl, Ch. 2 Senses and scale + The city at eye level: 12 quality criteria + The city
at eye level: designing the ground floor, in Cities for People, Washington 2010
Program Requirements
The sizes of the spaces are listed with approximate size, since they can vary
according to the specific layout. Think of them as a guiding principles, not as set in
stone. The overall building should not exceed 2 storeys and a maximum height of
about 12 meters.
Foyer 100 m2
Restrooms and lockers (adjacent to foyer) 50 m2
Exhibition space A (naturally lit) 400 m2
Exhibition space B (naturally lit) 200 m2
Digital exhibition space (black box area) 200 m2
Delivery and storage 100 m2
Fitness activity space 200 m2
Changing rooms, lockers, bath and sauna 100 m2
Reading and study room 100 m2
Café 100 m2
Kitchen, Restrooms, Cloakroom (adjacent to café) 100 m2
Administration 100 m2
Palazzo Chiericati, Vicenza, Italy, by Andrea Palladio, 1550 Total (approximate) 1750 m2
Outdoor terraces 200 m2
Additional program on the site
Public space, path and potential bridge on harbour front
Process
Assignment 2 is subdivided into two phases referred to as: concept development
and architectural development. Throughout the project, working with analytical
diagrams, sketch models and 3D representations will be emphasized. Consideration
of the following should be included in the studies:
Space: Detail:
• Thematic reflections • Tectonics
Palazzo Chiericati, Vicenza, Italy, by Andrea Palladio, 1550
• Statement of intent • Facade
• Programmatic and spatial organization • Materials and surfaces
• Structural principles • Daylight and artificial light
• Composition and scale
• Circulation
Final Presentation Requirements:
Context map 1:500
Statement of intent
Inspiration material and/or reference photos
Diagrams in various scales
Site plan 1:200
Floor plans 1:100
Sections and elevations 1:100
Model 1:100
3D representations, interior and exterior
Palazzo Chiericati, Vicenza, Italy, by Andrea Palladio, 1550

4. DIS Architecture + Design Fall 2012
Assignment 3: A Tributarium for Danish Rowing
Presentation Format
Final drawings are to be presented on a DIS board, 120 cm x 120 cm. A name
tag, provided by the AD office, must be placed along the top edge of the board
for the submission to be counted as on time. All materials are due on Dec 3 at
22:00. A digital presentation is acceptable if material is uploaded to the server by
submission deadline. If presenting digitally, the student must at least provide b/w
prints of the scheme on board; projector requests must be made in the AD-office
one week prior to the submission deadline.
Submission of Assignments
All presentation material must be supplemented with a digital submission of the
presentation boards including photos of physical models. This requirement is
necessary for grading and archival purposes for DIS, as well as documentation
you will need for your own portfolio. Digital submission of this material must be
Americas Cup Pavilion, Valencia, Spain, uploaded to Blackboard before the final project deadline (typically 10:00 pm the
by David Chipperfield, 2006 night before presentations).
Plotting
To avoid plotter backup and breakdowns, we offer to plot your boards for you
(anything larger than A3). If you would like the AD staff to plot your board, please
submit it to AD Documents by 09:00 on Monday Dec 3!
Submit to the folder: AD_Documents>To_AD_Department>FA12>Asn3_Plot_
Submissions>
AD_Documents can be accessed in the following computer labs:
V10-B35
F24-406
File Size
No file over 10 megabytes will be plotted! Files MUST be in PDF format! Please be
aware that the maximum plot size 105cm x 150cm. Make sure your file size fits
within these dimensions! Keep in mind the boards we provide for pin-up are 120cm
x 120cm.
File Naming for Submission
All files submitted to DIS Forum or AD_Documents MUST follow the AD file naming
River and Rowing Museum, Henley, UK system: Lastname_Firstname_COURSE_Content_SEMESTER
David Chipperfield, 1997 ex.
Boots_Ashley_AD_Asn3_FA12
Khudairi_Samer_IA_Asn3_FA12
Plotting on your own
You are welcomg to plot on your own anytime before the 09:00 deadline. If you
miss the 09:00 deadline or if you choose to plot on your own, please be patient and
wait for the submitted plots to finish printing before you begin.
Evaluation
Evaluation is based on daily work in studio (process) 40% and final presentation
(completion of assignment goals including: concept, context, function, completeness
and presentation) 60%.
Overall Schedule
Fr Oct 19 13:15-17:00 Intro Assignment 3
We Nov 07 8:30 - 19:00 Charette
Fr Nov 09 13:15 - 17:00 Studio Gallery Crit
Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach, Germany Mo Dec 03 09:00 Plot sumissions
by David Chipperfield, 2006
22:00 Project due
Tu Dec 04 09:15-16.00 Final Presentation
We Dec 05 09.15-16.00 Final Presentation
Fr Dec 07 13:15-17:00 Follow up consultations