Architectural Design III: (D. Mesa Molina)

Abstract

In the autumn semester, we will approach the phenomenon of space through fundamental experiences with regenerative materials and «Nordic Light» to design a cultural centre on Louis Kahn's home island of Saaremaa in Estonia.In the spring semester, we work on the redensification of an industrial wasteland in Brunnen (CH) and focus on the themes of structure and place

Objective

Semester topic "Design III": • Addressing dense, sustainable, circular, simple building • Development of a broad theoretical basic • Holistic design of spatial atmospheres in the interplay of concept, context, construction, climate, sustainability and materiality • Research and development of architectural themes resulting from energy and climatic considerations • Practical work with models, plans and visualization programs as part of the design process Lecture "Construction III": Introducing students into different design and making approaches to find a path towards their personal approach on designing and making.

Content

Semester topic "Architectural Design III": A cultural centre dedicated to the American architect Louis I. Kahn is to be built on the coast of Kuressaare, which is bathed by the Baltic Sea and characterised by Nordic light. The town of Kuressaare, located on the Estonian island of Saaremaa, is the place where Kahn was born in 1901. The centre is to become a transmitter of Kahn's ideas, a cultural venue, a lively place of exchange for both architecture enthusiasts and the local population. Starting from something immeasurable, a fascination, we approach the task via the themes of ‘material and light’. The focus is on designing with circular materials. For each group, we will take an in-depth look at a different regenerative material by exploring its traditions and limitations and using them to explore future applications, connections and constructions. We are interested in the circular application, from source to reuse or recycling. Inspired by the nature of the respective material, i.e. its intrinsic properties, its essence and its material-appropriate connections, we discover the transformative potential of the respective material. Natural light as the ‘giver of all presences’, the creator of the material, as Kahn calls it, has become increasingly important in his work. The initial desire is given a spatial presence through the material and the light. For the Kahn Centre, we are developing an idea of a lighting atmosphere together with a spatial composition, the ‘society of rooms’, testing the approaches in models and developing - always with reference to the findings from the material analysis - a coherent project. We will address the topic of sustainability in its entirety and in particular study and work on the aspects of grey energy, the reuse of building components, circularity, sufficiency, the use of passive climatic systems and simple, reversible constructions. Lecture "Construction III": The overall topic of the lecture series is “Construction – Elements of Architecture”. The lecture series gives the students an insight into different construction and design methods. The lectures are held by four different professorships in a block of 5 lectures in a row and showcasing their individual approach on design and architecture in general.

Resources