Sam Li

Pulp Fictions & Paper Projections:

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)

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Project description

The city of Naples, set out so evocatively in the pages of Elena Ferrante's novels, is a place where fantasy, poverty, violence, resilience, matter, people, and politics are interwoven. This literary city is constructed by writers of many kinds (narrators, storytellers, biographers, accountants, clerks, speechwriters, and speakers); their records chronicle the history of Naples. The city itself is constructed by makers, by builders, craftsmen, architects, and engineers, communicating through drawings, letters, instructions, and contracts. Through paper the literary and literal city—or the city imagined and the city to be built—are brought into contact. However, paper has a particular political history in Naples. Paper, the surface upon which the city is written and through which it is constructed, is a charged substrate. A thriving papermaking industry in Amalfi facilitated the dissemination of knowledge, but in the thirteenth century the use of paper was restricted by law; parchment, which was seen to be more durable and less easily replicated, was to be used in the production of all public documents. As Oriette da Rold observes, the prohibition of paper was not primarily about the material itself, but rather about an attempt to regain control over a community of notaries. Pulp Fictions and Paper Projections reimagines the role and politics of paper production in contemporary Naples.

Three projects, each concerned with the production of paper, the re-use of waste, and political participation, occupy sites within Naples' Historic Centre. Through these paper projects, abandoned gardens and derelict buildings find new purpose, creating projections of future Neapolitan material practices. The waste generated by the city is gathered and re-purposed, creating a circular economy of paper production. A recycling centre, reading rooms, and repair facility adjacent to the Naples State Archive, recalls the tradition of making paper from rags in the mills of Amalfi. Rainwater is gathered here, and a centre for pulping local government documents provides raw materials for repairing official records damaged during World War II. In a derelict apartment nearby, a new facility for bookbinding acts as a catalyst for a new booksellers’ quarter, rehabilitating an abandoned apartment building. A courtyard garden undergoes renovation to become a reading and cultural hub, enveloping donated books to stimulate education and citizen dialogue. A projection of a city of paper unfolds, developing material from waste to written pages, widening access to educational resources, and merging local craft and material resources with paper production processes to create a new literary and literal city-landscape within the historic city.

Proposal fo the grounding Naples

The map provides a comprehensive narrative of paper within the designated zone, encompassing both the sites and non-sites with the lifecircle of paper narratives.

Starting from the Naples state archive, the paper is collected and reused, demonstrating the sustainability aspect of its production. Next, it is utilized in a bookbinder's workshop, where the craftsmanship and culture of bookbinding are celebrated and shared, contributing to education and skill development.

Furthermore, the value of paper extends beyond its physical properties. In a residential garden scheme centered on community education, an abandoned garden is transformed into a vibrant book library. This initiative not only enhances access to literature but also fosters social cohesion and community engagement, showcasing the broader social impact of paper.

Tracing materials- paper, ink, leather

The production of paper, ink and leather in Naples involves the transformation of raw materials into finished products that are used throughout the city. Raw materials such as logs and leather from slaughterhouses are transformed in factories into paper and ink. These products are then distributed throughout the Centro Storico area of Naples to publishers, art shops, theaters, banks, and other places that require them.

The circulation of these three materials, paper, ink, and leather, is crucial for the functioning of many parts of the city. The paper produced in Naples is of high quality and is used for a variety of purposes, including writing, printing, and art. The ink is an essential component for printing and writing, and the leather is used for bookbinding, covering furniture, and other purposes.

The circulation of these materials not only supports local businesses but also contributes to the cultural heritage of the city. The Centro Storico area of Naples is home to many historical buildings, libraries, and museums, which depend on the production and distribution of these materials. By framing the city as a center for the production and circulation of these materials, Naples can celebrate its cultural heritage while also supporting the local economy.

Paper recycle centre

In response to the waste crisis in Naples and the rising price of paper, the project aims to repurpose the abandoned garden within the Naples state archive into a recycling center. This facility will serve to collect waste paper and produce pulp, which will be utilized to restore documents damaged during World War II. By involving the community in this initiative, the project enhances transparency in the waste management process while revitalizing public awareness of democracy. Additionally, the proposed building will serve as a gateway for visitors to appreciate the valuable public garden space and access educational resources within the state archive.

Material density

Density, when examined in the Naples context, reveals itself as a multi-layered trait. Malacqua's portrayal of Naples in "Four Days of Rain in the City of Naples" vividly describes the city's chaotic nature34, with cold spates falling through gaps between stones, causing the city to collapse into chasms formed by these stones. Beyond the intricately woven urban fabric, the micro-scale density within the city's structure becomes evident. The use of tuff stone, extracted from Naples' underground, not only forms the foundation of the organized city but also encapsulates a distinctive physical porosity. This porous materiality contributes to the city's density, not only in terms of physical proximity but also through the layers of history, culture, and urban life it embodies.

Residential book garden

The residential book garden project endeavors to employ an urban commons reuse framework, fostering collaboration among diverse interest groups and catering to their specific needs. This initiative focuses on repurposing a neglected garden within a residential community, reimagining it as a hub for education and communal gathering. By converting the garden into a residential education center, the project aims to address educational challenges in Naples by accommodating a vast collection of donated books. Moreover, it serves as a venue for surrounding institutions to host cultural events, enriching the community's social and intellectual landscape.

Garden and surroundings

The ivy clinging to the walls and the wild grasses scattered on the ground were removed, yet remnants of the ivy were intentionally retained as a trace of the site's history. The juxtaposition of dense paving, ivy, and tuff forms creates chasms within the landscape. Meanwhile, the buildings, or pavilions, feature simple timber textures, maintaining a distinct contrast with the dense surfaces by offering a smoother texture. The heterogeneous nature of the buildings allows visitors to maintain a sense of distance while immersing themselves in the site, reminding them of the forgotten times that once occupied this location and shielding them from the noise of the outside world. This transformation enables the garden to function as a sanctuary.