The Plaza : Adaptive reuse of an iconic architecture into a cinema school and residence

Baya Imadalou

Battersea Power Station: The Transformative Power of Iconography delves into the analysis of the iconic power station, constructed during the mid-twentieth century along the River Thames in South London. The powerhouse stands as a significant visual and cultural symbol of British industrial heritage, inspiring numerous movies, photographs, music videos and visual arts events. After ceasing operations in 1983, Battersea Power Station reopened in 2023 as a commercial and residential center, raising questions about the role of architecture in preserving industrial and historical heritage. The thesis aims to understand how the iconic architectural elements participate to support an evolving vision of England over time, through a series of media analyses. Significantly, the project explores the role of architecture in rehabilitating iconic architecture, using The Plaza Cinema and Mont-Blanc Centre in Geneva as a case study. Built by architect Saugey between 1951 and 1953, The Plaza was one of Switzerland’s largest cinemas and the first to use cinemascope technology. Abandoned in 2004, the cinema faced potential demolition until an architectural competition was held in 2023 for its renovation. The master project aims to transform the cinema and towering center into a film school and student residence. Central to the design is the inclusion of public spaces, inspired by the concept of a plaza, to foster social and cultural interactions and promote cinematographic culture.

Files
Énoncé (PDF), Planche (PDF)
LINKS
Team
Teachers:
Georg-Christoph Holz, Jeffrey Huang, Stefana Parascho
Supervision team:
Huang, Jeffrey (dir. pédagogique) ; Parascho, Stefana (prof.) ; Holz, Georg-Christoph (maître EPFL) ; Zahnd, Marion (expert)
Professor in charge of the statement:
Huang, Jeffrey (ENAC IA LDM2)
Unit:
ENAC-SAR, LDM
Infos
Year:
2024
Period:
Master, Fall
Category:
Master Project
Copyright:
CC BY Licence
Theoretical statement

Battersea Power Station: The Transformative Power of Iconography

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