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Selim Senin

Selim Senin

Istanbul, TR

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Baltic Way Memorial

BALTIC WAY

 

The Baltic states were considered under Soviet occupation by the United States, United Kingdom, NATO and other international organisations all the way up until the Baltic Way movement. The Baltic Way was a mass demonstration of approximately 2 million people; this equated to roughly 25% of the entire population of the Baltic states participating in this protest.
The Baltic Way movement was one of the larger events in a massive civil resistance campaign that took place in the 1980s, now known as the Singing Revolution. It was the act of a two-million-strong human chain stretching for 600 km from Tallinn to Vilnius in August of 1989. 
It was because of this massive outcry for freedom that then president Gorbachev’s government realised that the departure of the Baltic republics was inevitable and contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Baltic Way movement set the precedent for other Soviet republics to secede from the USSR and the independence of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia was officially recognised on 6th September 1991.

 

LATVIA - RIGA

 

Latvia’s capital city Riga is also its largest city; it is home to more than one third of its population. The city covers over 300 square km and lies between 1 and 10 metres above sea level. Riga traces its origins to 1201 AD when it became part of the Livonian Order - although the Viking traders at the time described it as an ancient trading hub even back then. 
Throughout the centuries, Riga has been affiliated with many different nations, from its founding by the Livonian Order, to the Kingdom of Poland, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Kingdom of Sweden and of course Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Since the expulsion of the Soviet Union, Riga has gone on to act as the European Capital of Culture, it has hosted the 2006 NATO Summit and its historical centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

PROJECT SITE

 

The proposed site for the Baltic Way Memorial is located on 11th November Embankment, which stretches along the Daugava river in the heart of Riga. As one of the busiest streets in the city, it has long been a key location for crowds to gather during major events. The street itself is closed to traffic for festivals and celebrations such as Latvia’s Independence Day and Riga City Festival.

 

BALTIC WAY MEMORIAL

 

The main specialty ofBaltic Way is togetherness. To reflect this idea on the project, spaces where people can spend time together, talk to each other, enjoy the scenery, make sportive activities, make presentations, and watch movies at night, etc. have been adopted.Our proposal is not merely a library to enter but a platform on which urban life keeps continuing thus a building which integrates with the city.
Baltic Way Memorial is situated on a connection site by a bridge in the city. Balancing Memorial, a cantilevered memorial near the square. The memorial is 150 meters long. It is only when visitors reach the end of the strcture that they suddenly experience the full length of the volume and the cantilever.The reason for this spectacular setting is the symbol of power. This cntilevered structure can not balance itself. If we hang with one cable from starting point, it will overturned .If we hang with two cables from starting point, it will overturned.If we hang with five cables from starting point, it will overturned.But If we hang with enough cables from starting point, it wont overturned.Every cable symblizes person. These cables can carry a huge load of come together.
The structure of this great move of cable narrate Baltic Way.

 

The structure is carried by strating point faundation and cables.The Baltic Way Memorial principally consists of two collaborating systems: bored pile foundation structures combined with a tensile cable structure system. Steel frame carried all ramps that system is connected to the ground with angled cables. Hanging ramps are placed at each level of this frame.
The structure completely console. A single cable can not carry this huge structure. when they met the cable can carry this huge structure. Forces occur together a lot of cables like Baltic Way. When a lot of people come together , reveals the power of togetherness. These cables symbolize Baltic Way persons.

 
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Status: Competition Entry
Location: Latvia
My Role: Designer