as above, so below — ryan karczewski

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karczewskiryan@gmail.com

architecture portfolio

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as above, so below

Through a heavy analysis of Parisian architecture, artistic expression, and countercultural practices, this project sought to redesign Place de la Republique to support countercultural expression and protest, and simplify its busy metro station.

This project was heavily inspired by the works of Jean Dubuffet and his study of the metro and its ability to desegregate Parisian society while support “underground” countercultural pracitces.

It began by understanding Place de le Republique as a center for counterculture and protest, and analyzing the plaza’s recent redesign. Through this research it was clear that there exists a disconnect between the underground - both in a literal and figurative sense - and the above ground plaza.

To resolve this, the design maintains the overall integrity of the plaza while adding physical elements - columns, level changes, and glass viewports - that break down the space into more of a human scale and protest visitors from oncoming traffic. Further, it extended the monument below ground to act as the center of the resdesigned underground space, and allow for graffiti and countercultural expression to exist full time. It lastly, simplified the entrances to the metro stations by moving the ticket centers to just above each of the lines, and adjusts the grade to support further ease of travel for buses and bikes around the plaza.