laba manifest - ENAC | School of Architecture, Civil and ...
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laba manifest laba epfl - manifest enac- laba - june - june 2012 2012 1
- Page 2 and 3: Position within the discipline laba
- Page 4 and 5: Current Sea of opportunities In the
- Page 6 and 7: Methodology details ASSIGNMENTS lab
- Page 8 and 9: Methodology details laba field trip
- Page 10 and 11: Learning outcomes 1st semester : te
- Page 12 and 13: ocess is complex and requires large
- Page 14 and 15: Reading list Histoire de l architec
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong><br />
<strong>laba</strong> epfl - <strong>manifest</strong> enac- <strong>laba</strong> - june - june 2012 2012<br />
1
Position within the discipline<br />
<strong>laba</strong> team<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Harry Gugger<br />
Architect + Pr<strong>of</strong>esseur ordinaire<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 20<br />
harry.gugger@epfl.ch<br />
Goetz Menzel<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> Teaching<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 22<br />
goetz.menzel@epfl.ch<br />
Aurelie Blanchard<br />
Teaching Assistant<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 26<br />
aurelie.blanchard@epfl.ch<br />
Gwendolyn Kerschbaumer<br />
Head Research<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 24<br />
gwendolyn.kerschbaumer@epfl.ch<br />
Nancy Couling<br />
Research Assistant / PhD<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 23<br />
nancy.couling@epfl.ch<br />
Dr. Octavian Iercan<br />
Researcher Geoinformatics<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 24<br />
octavian.iercan@epfl.ch<br />
Juliette Fong<br />
Head Administration<br />
Tél. +41 61 225 10 21<br />
juliette.fong@epfl.ch<br />
http://<strong>laba</strong>.epfl.ch<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012<br />
The sphere <strong>of</strong> the architect is shrinking: today architecture finds itself<br />
in the paradoxical situation <strong>of</strong> being more popular than ever before <strong>and</strong><br />
getting enormous media attention, while at the same time experiencing<br />
total decline. On the one h<strong>and</strong> architecture has become the media <strong>of</strong> many:<br />
developers, investors, corporations <strong>and</strong> institutions <strong>and</strong> on the other h<strong>and</strong>,<br />
most construction happens without architects. At the same time architectural<br />
design has become more complex requiring an ever-greater number <strong>of</strong> skills<br />
<strong>and</strong> competences taken over by a series <strong>of</strong> specialist consultants. As a result<br />
architects also become marginalized in the design process.<br />
To address this problem, <strong>laba</strong> has developed a design methodology ensuring<br />
that architects continue to play a central, coordinating <strong>and</strong> integrative role in<br />
the design process.<br />
<strong>laba</strong>’s approach to teaching is thus strongly influenced by the context <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice, meaning that students are exposed to key elements<br />
<strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ession beyond pure design. At one end <strong>of</strong> the spectrum students<br />
are trained in territorial <strong>and</strong> urban design <strong>and</strong> are confronted with the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> a project. On the other end <strong>of</strong> the spectrum the processing<br />
<strong>of</strong> projects is structured according to building phases used by pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
associations <strong>and</strong> the introduction to the building process is supported through<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> lectures on structure, façade, building service <strong>and</strong> fit out.<br />
The aim is to <strong>of</strong>fer a well-rounded education, allowing architects to underst<strong>and</strong><br />
the design <strong>and</strong> building process in it’s entirety <strong>and</strong> to be pro-active participants<br />
in this process.<br />
Given the increasing global nature <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ession, <strong>laba</strong> also fosters an<br />
international environment by working with a local partner institution <strong>and</strong><br />
conducting the studio in English.<br />
Finally, <strong>laba</strong>’s name reflects its didactic <strong>and</strong> scientific orientation: it is<br />
a laboratory, a place <strong>of</strong> applied research, dedicated to the analysis <strong>and</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> design <strong>and</strong> building processes.<br />
1
Theme Urban nature<br />
epfl campus - 2005/06<br />
Havanna - 2006/07<br />
London - 2007/08<br />
Geneva - 2008/09<br />
Bahrain - 2009/10<br />
Athens - 2010/11<br />
<strong>laba</strong>’s focal theme is Urban Nature. The objective is to research the nature <strong>of</strong><br />
the contemporary urban environment <strong>and</strong> to equip architects for the task <strong>of</strong><br />
constructing sustainable solutions for these environments.<br />
What has been the case for the ‘developed’ world since the beginning <strong>of</strong> the<br />
20th century is currently becoming a reality for the developing world - the<br />
majority <strong>of</strong> people will be living in an urban environment. In addition, as<br />
agglomerations exp<strong>and</strong>, so do their supporting local <strong>and</strong> global territories.<br />
Urban agglomerations are thus leaving their mark on the majority <strong>of</strong> the<br />
earth’s surface. Due to the scale <strong>and</strong> character <strong>of</strong> this territorial expansion,<br />
the definition <strong>of</strong> the urban becomes more diffuse <strong>and</strong> complex.<br />
Urban systems are per se intricate, dynamic <strong>and</strong> determined by many diverse<br />
phenomena outside the architectural sphere. <strong>Architecture</strong> <strong>and</strong> urban design<br />
are hence inherently interdisciplinary, touching upon for example social,<br />
technical, aesthetic, cultural, economic, political, ecological <strong>and</strong> ethical<br />
issues. Our discipline cannot be understood in an isolated manner, but only<br />
within the wider context <strong>of</strong> these adjacent fields.<br />
Architects must therefore have a good underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the impact <strong>of</strong> these<br />
forces on the built environment in order to be able to respond adequately. This<br />
usually happens through collaboration with consultants in specialized areas.<br />
Architects are in this sense both assimilators <strong>and</strong> specialists; assimilating<br />
the knowledge embedded in parallel disciplines <strong>and</strong> specialists in the spatial<br />
articulation <strong>of</strong> this knowledge in architecture <strong>and</strong> urban design.<br />
Our studio <strong>and</strong> research aims at exploring the complex context <strong>of</strong> the<br />
architectural <strong>and</strong> urban design process through a number <strong>of</strong> national <strong>and</strong><br />
international study objects <strong>and</strong> subsequently, at exploring appropriate<br />
physical expressions.<br />
Within the larger theme <strong>of</strong> Urban Nature, we are particularly interested in<br />
an urban morphology which makes cities more attractive <strong>and</strong> liveable. While<br />
over 50% <strong>of</strong> the population live in urban areas, these areas are further<br />
differentiated into specific <strong>and</strong> emerging typologies, some <strong>of</strong> which combine<br />
both characteristically ”rural” <strong>and</strong> “urban” components. <strong>laba</strong> investigates the<br />
contribution <strong>of</strong> urban design to underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> improving these contexts.<br />
Through our teaching <strong>and</strong> research, we aim to position ourselves <strong>and</strong><br />
participate in both the current academic <strong>and</strong> non-academic discourse on<br />
urban design <strong>and</strong> planning.<br />
Teaching <strong>and</strong> research on urban design is currently limited in the <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Architecture</strong>, <strong>Civil</strong> <strong>and</strong> Environmental Engineering <strong>ENAC</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>laba</strong> sees it’s<br />
studio <strong>and</strong> research unit as a pivotal element in exp<strong>and</strong>ing the academic field<br />
<strong>of</strong> urban design within our school. The intention is to develop a larger network<br />
<strong>of</strong> urban design <strong>and</strong> planning studios, classes <strong>and</strong> research units both within<br />
the existing EPFL structure <strong>and</strong> in collaboration with other Universities<br />
specifically the ETHZ <strong>and</strong> it’s Contemporary City Institute Studio Basel.<br />
With Studio Basel <strong>laba</strong>, forms a platform to research today’s city called<br />
“Cerberus”.<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 2
Current<br />
Sea <strong>of</strong> opportunities<br />
In the 2011/12 academic<br />
year, <strong>laba</strong>`s investigation<br />
on ocean territories led to<br />
the Barents Sea, north <strong>of</strong><br />
Norway, in collaboration<br />
with the Oslo <strong>School</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Architecture</strong> <strong>and</strong> Design.<br />
Student groups developed<br />
five Territorial Constitutions<br />
for the Barents Sea <strong>and</strong><br />
went on to develop thirteen<br />
architectural projects<br />
exercising the articles <strong>of</strong> the<br />
constitutions within the topic<br />
“Exploring Infrastructure-<br />
Living <strong>and</strong> Working in the<br />
Barents Sea”. A 10-day<br />
workshop to the Barents<br />
region took place between<br />
the two project phases.<br />
CH16M2048<br />
We will be studying a<br />
hypothetical Switzerl<strong>and</strong><br />
in 2048 with 16 million<br />
inhabitants. It is clear that<br />
this increase in population<br />
will put enormous pressure<br />
on the existing urban,<br />
suburban <strong>and</strong> rural areas.<br />
We believe that simply<br />
continuing today’s planning<br />
policies <strong>and</strong> practices for<br />
the next 40 years is not an<br />
appropriate response, given<br />
the scale <strong>of</strong> the predicted<br />
changes. It seems to us, that<br />
a more radical reevaluation<br />
<strong>and</strong> proposal is needed.<br />
CH16M2048 will thus<br />
be raising fundamental<br />
questions about how our<br />
territory is planned <strong>and</strong> how<br />
it develops.<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 3
Methodology overview<br />
<strong>laba</strong> teaching<br />
Over the last 6 years, <strong>laba</strong> has developed a specific studio methodology.<br />
Each year, an urban research laboratory location, which exemplifies a critical<br />
<strong>and</strong> widespread urban issue, is selected. Each culturally specific location<br />
contributes to the data-base for a comparative investigation <strong>of</strong> planning<br />
systems across the world.<br />
The <strong>laba</strong> methodology takes students through design scales ranging from<br />
the territorial to the architectural, <strong>and</strong> introduces them to parallel fields <strong>of</strong><br />
expertise which greatly influence the urban morphology <strong>of</strong> the given context.<br />
Equipped with this knowledge, students establish what we call an “Urban<br />
Constitution”. This document serves as a roadmap for long term urban<br />
development.<br />
<strong>laba</strong>’s portfolio includes the development <strong>of</strong> particular skills required to work<br />
in this way - the application <strong>of</strong> GIS systems to urban design, architectural<br />
field-work <strong>and</strong> trans-disciplinary input from invited experts backed up by<br />
specific urban research projects. In this way, the laboratory aims to enable the<br />
architect to arrive at specific local solutions for global tasks <strong>and</strong> to strengthen<br />
his position within the urban debate.<br />
Based on this road map, students continue to work on a smaller scale, focusing<br />
on the actual spatial form that the urban constitution would take. Projects<br />
will range from specific urban design proposals to complex buildings. These<br />
projects act as a pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> concept for the Urban Constitution.<br />
Students share their work through frequent public presentations in order to<br />
become pr<strong>of</strong>icient in this crucial skill.<br />
The collaboration with a partner institution connected to the given study<br />
area allows both groups to be exposed to a different cultural <strong>and</strong> academic<br />
approach.<br />
An annual publication exhibits the results <strong>of</strong> the studio.<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 4
Methodology details<br />
ASSIGNMENTS<br />
<strong>laba</strong> students group work<br />
Assignments<br />
Reviews<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012<br />
5 X CASE STUDIES / DESIGN TEAMS<br />
5 x design teams<br />
The methodology is organized over two semesters.<br />
Semester 1<br />
In the first semester, students analyse a given urban region / territory.<br />
The work is organized around 4 assignments. Apart from the first assignment,<br />
all are carried out in groups with each student taking a specific place within<br />
a matrix that has 5 physical locations in the form <strong>of</strong> case-studies on one axis<br />
<strong>and</strong> 5 urban research themes on the second axis.<br />
Schedule:<br />
Week 1<br />
MY ...<br />
Each participating student is thus assigned a role in two different types <strong>of</strong><br />
groups: each student is part <strong>of</strong> a team <strong>of</strong> five designers, the design team, which<br />
concentrates on planning <strong>and</strong> spatial conceptualization, <strong>and</strong> is concurrently<br />
a member <strong>of</strong> a specialist group, which addresses specific design-related<br />
research topics.<br />
25 25 STUDENTS students 5<br />
5<br />
x<br />
X<br />
specialists<br />
SPECIALISTS<br />
teams<br />
TEAMS<br />
eastern<br />
mediterranean<br />
EASTERN<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
north<br />
sea<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
persian<br />
PERSIAN<br />
gulf GULF<br />
carribean<br />
sea<br />
CARIBBEAN<br />
SEA<br />
south china<br />
sea<br />
Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13<br />
My...reviews<br />
SOUTH CHINA<br />
OCEAN<br />
CASE STUDIES<br />
Inputs Intro trip Lecture<br />
Lecture<br />
theme 1<br />
theme 2<br />
TERRITORIAL STRATEGIES<br />
TERRITORIAL CONSTITUTIONS<br />
CS reviews TS reviews TC reviews<br />
Lecture<br />
theme 3<br />
Lecture<br />
theme 4<br />
Lecture<br />
theme 5<br />
governance GOVERNANCE infrastructure INFRASTRUCTURES resources RESSOURCES climate CLIMATE economy<br />
ECONOMY<br />
Sarina Balkhausen Martin Lepoutre Giulia Altarelli Kristin Weinrich Elsa Beniada<br />
François Nantermod Alex<strong>and</strong>ros Fotakis Jeanne Wery Mathieu Bujnowskyj Pauline Seigneur<br />
Diana Brasil Ingrid Gjermstad Nicoletta Caputto Achille Grosvernier Nicolas Feihl<br />
Marine Beaumanoir Joan Genergonzalez Carmen Fischer Noémi Gili<strong>and</strong> Lucia Tinghi<br />
Augustin Clément Tess Walvaren Caroline Iorio Chloé Coninckx Alessia Catellani<br />
5
PAINTINGS<br />
by Pauline INSTALLATION<br />
Seigneur<br />
by Elsa Beniada<br />
my Barents<br />
by 2020: China will become the world’s 4th<br />
tourist generating country<br />
Malaysia: 8th best receiving tourist<br />
destination in the world<br />
case study South China Sea<br />
ICE CATALYSATION PLATFORMS<br />
ARCTIC OCEAN BORDER 79° 43' 12'' N / 12° 06' 10'' E<br />
2018_NOVEMBER 22<br />
AIR SURFACE TEMPERATURE / -11°C<br />
SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE / -1°C<br />
EXTENDED ICE FRONT + 47,12 km<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012<br />
LABA_W428<br />
SATELITE VIEW<br />
800 m<br />
territorial strategy climate<br />
Hydro<br />
A CASE STUDY<br />
Murmansk, towards an oil free territory<br />
BERLEVÅG<br />
Wind<br />
BÅTSFJORD<br />
VADSØ<br />
NIKEL<br />
KIRKENES<br />
VARDØ<br />
ZEE Norway<br />
ZEE Russia<br />
ZAPOLIARNY<br />
ZAOZYORSK<br />
Hydro<br />
PECHENGA<br />
Hydro<br />
Wind<br />
Wind<br />
URA GUBA<br />
Wind<br />
+<br />
Aquaculture<br />
Wind<br />
GADZHIYEVO<br />
POLIARNY<br />
SNEZHNOGORSK<br />
Stream<br />
SEVEROMORSK<br />
MURMANSK<br />
Wind<br />
Tidal<br />
Wind<br />
TERIBERKA<br />
Fossil<br />
Wind<br />
+<br />
Aquaculture<br />
Wind<br />
Aquaculture<br />
LABA_VD62<br />
Wind<br />
Wind<br />
LABA_Y165<br />
LABA_CH44<br />
LABA_X317<br />
National border<br />
Priority protected area<br />
Energy potential area<br />
River<br />
Seabird migrations<br />
Reeinder migrations<br />
Rails<br />
Road<br />
Electrical grid<br />
Pipeline<br />
Shipping routes<br />
Oil <strong>and</strong> gas energy<br />
Coal �red energy<br />
Bi<strong>of</strong>uel production<br />
Hydro, tidal <strong>and</strong> streampower<br />
Windfarm<br />
Aquaculture<br />
> 1 000 MW<br />
< 100 MW or 3 000 hab<br />
> 300 000 hab<br />
Renewable energy production<br />
Fossil energy production<br />
Energy consumption site<br />
20 km<br />
10 miles<br />
INTRODUCTION RICHNESS THREATS MODEL CONCLUSION<br />
territorial constitution for Barents<br />
Assignments<br />
a) My urban region<br />
Students are asked to represent their conception <strong>of</strong> the specific urban region.<br />
The goal <strong>of</strong> this project is to allow each student to interpret the urban region<br />
in their own highly personal way. This exercise is an important basis for<br />
discussion, especially given that a large number <strong>of</strong> our students are foreign<br />
<strong>and</strong> can make an important contribution to our international perspective.<br />
b) Case-Studies<br />
The morphological structure <strong>of</strong> regions <strong>and</strong> cities similar to the specific region<br />
we are studying, is analysed.<br />
This work is done in groups with each group member researching one <strong>of</strong> 5 key<br />
urban themes such as infrastructure, food, energy, health <strong>and</strong> education, as<br />
well as other important demographic <strong>and</strong> urban parameters such as density,<br />
economy, etc.<br />
The 5 chosen themes are those considered most relevant to the particular<br />
urban study area.<br />
Each specialist researches his/her theme <strong>and</strong> it’s role within the evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
the urban structure. The final group report is a compilation <strong>of</strong> the individual<br />
themes, including st<strong>and</strong>ardized statistical <strong>and</strong> physical data, as well as an<br />
overall analysis <strong>and</strong> set <strong>of</strong> conclusions. The conclusions identify special <strong>and</strong><br />
unique features <strong>and</strong> clarify the advantages <strong>and</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> each case.<br />
c) Urban Strategies<br />
The specialists from each case-study work together as a group to conduct<br />
research on the given urban area. The 5 themes such as infrastructure, food,<br />
energy, health <strong>and</strong> education represent the focus <strong>of</strong> each specialist group.<br />
The groups will propose an urban strategy driven mainly by the creation <strong>of</strong><br />
optimal conditions for the development <strong>of</strong> their theme. These urban strategies<br />
will be extreme to the point <strong>of</strong> being almost narrow-minded in focusing on one<br />
theme. However, it is in this extremity that useful approaches <strong>and</strong> concepts<br />
are developed, which can later be modified in co-existence with the network<br />
<strong>of</strong> the other 4 themes.<br />
d) Urban Constitution<br />
The goal <strong>of</strong> this assignment is to produce an urban constitution: a roadmap<br />
providing a logical set <strong>of</strong> guiding rules which allow for an appropriate longterm<br />
development <strong>of</strong> the given urban area.<br />
The students work together in their original case-study group, thus forming<br />
again 5 groups with specialists from each theme. Group work is understood to<br />
be an important component. Students learn to negotiate <strong>and</strong> be a productive<br />
member <strong>of</strong> a larger entity.<br />
Each group develops an urban constitution which addresses the significant<br />
issues <strong>and</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> the given zone in the short, medium <strong>and</strong> long term.<br />
The proposed plan is represented as a schematic strategy that integrates<br />
the multiple overlaying aspects <strong>of</strong> urban planning <strong>and</strong> design. The urban<br />
constitution comprises texts as well as maps <strong>and</strong> models.<br />
6
Methodology details<br />
<strong>laba</strong> field trip to the Barents sea<br />
<strong>laba</strong> design devellopment reviews<br />
Phases<br />
Reviews<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012<br />
Field Trip<br />
Laba’s study trips are a crucial part <strong>of</strong> the studio <strong>and</strong> link the urban<br />
constitution established in the first semester, to it’s implementation in the<br />
form <strong>of</strong> architectural projects in the second semester.<br />
The field trip usually takes place at the end <strong>of</strong> the first semester, after students<br />
have acquired an in-depth knowledge <strong>of</strong> the place through data, studies <strong>and</strong><br />
visual material. They confront this theoretical knowledge with a personal<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> the place <strong>and</strong> explore in depth a specific site <strong>of</strong> intervention<br />
where they propose an architectural / urban design project.<br />
Semester 2<br />
The second semester focuses on the specific physical implementation <strong>and</strong><br />
testing <strong>of</strong> the urban constitution. In this semester new typologies <strong>of</strong> urban<br />
morphology will be explored. What can government <strong>of</strong>ficials, architects, urban<br />
designers <strong>and</strong> planners do to improve the quality <strong>of</strong> urban life? What kind<br />
<strong>of</strong> urban typologies work well, how can housing, working <strong>and</strong> civic spaces<br />
be rethought <strong>and</strong> redesigned to reflect the needs <strong>and</strong> desires <strong>of</strong> an urban<br />
population? This semester can be considered a ‘rehearsal’ for the specific<br />
EPFL SAR master thesis. Students learn to develop a project on their own,<br />
from the formulation <strong>of</strong> the question to it’s development into an architectural<br />
project. For this students work individually or in groups <strong>of</strong> two depending on<br />
the complexitiy <strong>of</strong> the proposed project.<br />
The second semester is organized around 4 assignments based on building<br />
phases as defined by different architectural bodies (AIA, RIBA, SIA, loi MOP).<br />
Students define the projects themselves, that is they choose a site as well as<br />
a program.<br />
Schedule:<br />
Week 1<br />
Inputs Lecture<br />
Structure<br />
This refers back to the objective set out at the beginning, namely to extend the<br />
architect’s influence on the built environment. The matrix below shows that<br />
the actual field <strong>of</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> the architect today is much reduced compared<br />
to the exp<strong>and</strong>ed field <strong>of</strong> influence that <strong>laba</strong> is advocating:<br />
SIA<br />
RIBA<br />
AIA<br />
MOP<br />
<strong>laba</strong><br />
Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16<br />
FEASABILITY STUDY<br />
FS<br />
reviews1<br />
PRODUCTION PROCESS<br />
Strategic<br />
planning<br />
Feasibility<br />
studies<br />
Pre-<br />
Esqui-<br />
Feasibility<br />
study<br />
Lecture<br />
Building<br />
services<br />
Preliminary<br />
studies<br />
Outline<br />
design<br />
FS<br />
reviews 2<br />
Site analysis<br />
Avant-projet<br />
sommaire<br />
Schematic design<br />
Lecture<br />
Facade<br />
Pro-<br />
Scheme<br />
design<br />
Lecture<br />
Fit-Out<br />
Schematic<br />
design<br />
Avant-projet<br />
dé�nitif<br />
SCHEMATIC DESIGN<br />
Detail design<br />
Design<br />
development<br />
Pro-<br />
Design<br />
development<br />
SD<br />
reviews<br />
Production<br />
information<br />
Contract<br />
documents<br />
Contrat de<br />
travaux<br />
Construction<br />
documentation<br />
ARCHITECTS ACTUAL FIELD OF INFLUENCE<br />
ARCHITECTS EXPANDED FIELD OF INFLUENCE<br />
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT<br />
Invitation to<br />
bid<br />
Tender<br />
action<br />
Bidding or<br />
negotiations<br />
Exécution et<br />
examen<br />
Implemantation<br />
Project<br />
planning<br />
DD<br />
reviews<br />
Contract administration<br />
Direction de<br />
l’exécution<br />
Site<br />
operations<br />
Pilotage<br />
de chantier<br />
Presentation documentation<br />
CHARETTE<br />
Final<br />
reviews<br />
Management<br />
Feedback<br />
Post-contract<br />
services<br />
Réception<br />
7
A<br />
13<br />
12<br />
6<br />
10<br />
8<br />
7<br />
the different project phases<br />
9<br />
B<br />
11<br />
6<br />
15<br />
14<br />
14<br />
14<br />
Assignments<br />
a) Feasibility Study<br />
This study outlines the current physical, infrastructural <strong>and</strong> legal conditions<br />
<strong>and</strong> restrictions <strong>of</strong> a site <strong>and</strong> assesses the compatibility with a proposed<br />
program.<br />
A rough massing proposal is developed within a site model.<br />
b) Schematic Design<br />
The diagrammatic descriptions <strong>of</strong> the feasibility study are transformed into<br />
a functional, logical, thematic <strong>and</strong> aesthetic architectural parti – an overall<br />
design concept.<br />
Within this phase, the contextual issues <strong>of</strong> site <strong>and</strong> connections are addressed<br />
<strong>and</strong> solutions for basic issues such as structure, materials, overall aesthetics<br />
<strong>and</strong> volumetric relationships are explored. The overall character <strong>of</strong> the project<br />
is formulated.<br />
c) Design Development<br />
The goal <strong>of</strong> this phase is to strengthen the parti by generating appropriate <strong>and</strong><br />
specific details that will guide the process <strong>of</strong> deciding on the techniques <strong>and</strong><br />
technologies to be employed for fabrication <strong>and</strong> construction.<br />
d) Presentation Documents<br />
This phase combines all previous phases into a full set <strong>of</strong> documents<br />
representing the project.<br />
Deliverables for final critiques<br />
First semester: Students present their ‘urban constitution’<br />
- a presentation projected on a screen (powerpoint or pdf projection)<br />
- the same presentation in book format (printed in A3 format)<br />
- 1 – 2 maps showing the constitution in map format<br />
Second semester: Students present their architectural / urban design project<br />
- drawings (scale depends on project)<br />
- site plan<br />
- ground floor plan<br />
- relevant upper floor plans<br />
- elevations<br />
- sections<br />
- relevant detail<br />
- photo montage / visualization<br />
- models (scale depends on project)<br />
- site model<br />
- model <strong>of</strong> building / urban design<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 8
Learning outcomes<br />
1st semester : territorial scale<br />
2nd semester : architectural scale<br />
<strong>laba</strong> students are able to:<br />
1st semester<br />
- critically assess their own cultural background <strong>and</strong> how it influences the<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> a site<br />
- use comparative case-studies to better underst<strong>and</strong> their own research<br />
location<br />
- analyze the influence <strong>of</strong> key issues such as housing, infrastructure, economic<br />
measures, governmental measures, etc. on urban areas<br />
- create an ‘urban constitution’, that is a long-term roadmap for the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> an urban area<br />
- present their work through oral presentations <strong>and</strong> printed documentation<br />
including texts, diagrams <strong>and</strong> maps<br />
- learn to work in groups<br />
2nd semester<br />
- formulate a feasibility study regarding a site <strong>and</strong> program <strong>of</strong> their own<br />
choosing<br />
- conduct field research including the survey <strong>and</strong> documentation <strong>of</strong> a site<br />
- initiate <strong>and</strong> follow a project through the various design phases: schematic<br />
design, design development <strong>and</strong> detail drawings<br />
- present their project through drawings, models, text descriptions, as well<br />
as oral presentations<br />
Recommended complementary classes<br />
Students are encouraged to take further classes on the topics <strong>of</strong> territorial<br />
<strong>and</strong> urban planning <strong>and</strong> theory. Of the current study plan we consider the<br />
following classes as particularly relevant to our studio:<br />
AR-221, 222, 323, 324, 421, 422 Theory <strong>of</strong> architecture<br />
AR-223, 224, 323, 423m 424 History <strong>of</strong> architecture<br />
AR-451, 452 <strong>Architecture</strong> <strong>and</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> the city<br />
AR-261, 362 Theory <strong>of</strong> urban design<br />
AR-383 City <strong>and</strong> habitat: from housing to territory<br />
AR-458 city <strong>and</strong> mobility<br />
AR-477 Underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> reconceiving the urban<br />
AR-492 Globalization <strong>and</strong> regionalization<br />
AR-465 Urban habitat <strong>and</strong> development<br />
AR-459, 460 City sciences<br />
AR-489 Urban sociology<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 9
Research<br />
<strong>laba</strong> merges analytical research with creative design, seeking to develop <strong>and</strong><br />
refine methodologies which produce ideal solutions for specific programs,<br />
locations, technologies or conditions. Many critical issues influencing<br />
contemporary territories have enormous spatial implications, yet are seldom<br />
addressed by architects. <strong>laba</strong> investigates these issues.<br />
The pressure <strong>of</strong> immigration into European fringe cities (Athens- City <strong>of</strong><br />
Immigrants /<strong>Architecture</strong> <strong>of</strong> Integration lapa 2010/11) <strong>and</strong> the urbanization<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ocean (A Territorial Constitution for the Barents Sea, <strong>laba</strong> 2011/12) are<br />
two examples.<br />
Technological developments such as GIS allow architects to investigate<br />
urban development from any distance. Vast resources <strong>of</strong> information <strong>and</strong><br />
data are available <strong>and</strong> accessible. Sophisticated environmental modelling is<br />
already possible through this technology. Ultimately, environmental factors<br />
influencing cities can be designed <strong>and</strong> tested.<br />
At the same time, to really underst<strong>and</strong> urban phenomena architects need to<br />
do extensive field work. The close-up view <strong>of</strong> urban situations at the human<br />
scale, <strong>and</strong> the “gods-eye” view inform each other respectively <strong>and</strong> are<br />
mutually dependent. Coupling these perspectives <strong>and</strong> utilizing the available<br />
technological resources reveal the true nature <strong>of</strong> a particular urban context,<br />
<strong>and</strong> enable the architect to arrive at specific local solutions for global tasks.<br />
Through the development <strong>of</strong> this set <strong>of</strong> skills, <strong>laba</strong> aims to strengthen the<br />
architect’s position within the urban debate. This approach also informs the<br />
teaching programme.<br />
Currently <strong>laba</strong> maintains a broad research base, drawing on experience gained<br />
from specific design locations where a new urban or territorial condition is<br />
<strong>manifest</strong>ed. Two particular areas <strong>of</strong> interest are;<br />
- design as mediator <strong>of</strong> the urban context<br />
- digital tools <strong>and</strong> their influence on the design <strong>and</strong> production <strong>of</strong> architecture.<br />
<strong>laba</strong>’s research is currently carried out by one post-doctoral position, two<br />
doctorates <strong>and</strong> one research assistant. Further to this, <strong>laba</strong> is committed to<br />
the development <strong>of</strong> an interdisciplinary design doctorate “Complex Design”<br />
at the EPFL through the SNF programme “ProDoc” (application in progress).<br />
Two further research proposals have been submitted in 2012: CH16M2048<br />
(1 doctoral position) <strong>and</strong> WiuUrbis (Waste Impact on Environmental <strong>and</strong> Urban<br />
Design in Romania) part <strong>of</strong> the SNF Romanian-Swiss Research Programme<br />
(two 50% positions) where both partners (EPFL LABA <strong>and</strong> UVT-DG) aim at<br />
identifying the best solutions for environmental <strong>and</strong> urban design in Romania,<br />
which will be used primarily by decision makers in Romania but also by<br />
research circles in both Switzerl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> Romania.<br />
The project’s solutions are supported by GIS <strong>and</strong> Remote Sensing techniques<br />
<strong>and</strong> incorporate several methods: (a) volunteer mobile information (VGI),<br />
(b) GIS mapping, <strong>and</strong> (c) 3D computer simulations. The other solutions are<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered by architects, who will create waste-management-based urban<br />
design models. The cumulative solutions will contribute, on the one h<strong>and</strong>,<br />
to a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the problem <strong>and</strong> help raising awareness among<br />
stakeholders <strong>and</strong>, on the other, to the creation <strong>of</strong> an implementable urban <strong>and</strong><br />
environmental design <strong>of</strong> the selected locations.<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 10
ocess is complex <strong>and</strong> requires large quantities <strong>of</strong> data <strong>and</strong> significant<br />
rn a valid topography. This process is, itself, not a design methodology,<br />
o drive context or data for generative design methods. However, if the<br />
is an abstract or re-interpreted surface (rather than 1:1 precision) then<br />
ay be computationally inefficient <strong>and</strong> overly complex for the desired<br />
rams<br />
on is a decompositional method for subdividing an area or volume.<br />
determined by an explicit Research<br />
distribution <strong>of</strong> points, where each point<br />
oid <strong>of</strong> a corresponding Voronoi cell. The shape <strong>and</strong> area <strong>of</strong> each cell are<br />
hat the boundary is a function <strong>of</strong> the distance to all immediately<br />
that field. The simplicity <strong>of</strong> the diagram <strong>and</strong> mathematics allows it to<br />
lar but associative division, but the method can be used in three (<strong>and</strong><br />
r) dimensions.<br />
i Diagrams: a.) 2-D diagram, b.) 3-D conceptual model (Knauss + Oesterle)<br />
med after Georgy Voronoi, who developed the mathematical method<br />
cell distribution <strong>and</strong> from mathematical packing theory. The<br />
hod is used extensively in disciplines involved in mapping <strong>and</strong> statistics,<br />
in fields <strong>of</strong> biology, chemistry <strong>and</strong> metallurgy. This method has been<br />
ed in digital art <strong>and</strong> architecture investigations. 15 Its popularity has<br />
oint where some s<strong>of</strong>tware programs have recently encoded Voronoi<br />
e general toolsets, <strong>and</strong> in others CAD s<strong>of</strong>tware external plug-in’s are<br />
te the subdivisions. xv<br />
mars<br />
are a conceptual system used for investigation <strong>of</strong> emergent systems in<br />
d conceives a design as an experimental test field, which is populated by<br />
with specific behavioural rules <strong>and</strong> interactive potential. The system is<br />
hrough iteration, <strong>and</strong> the resulting behaviours <strong>and</strong> interactions reveal<br />
the system. Conceptually the system determines the complex<br />
otential <strong>of</strong> an emergent system<br />
re inherently graphical languages, <strong>and</strong> as such they require a medium<br />
he generation engine for interaction. Shape grammars differ from<br />
es <strong>and</strong> Chomsky dictum in that the development <strong>of</strong> a system may occur<br />
. (2010):15<br />
digital technologies application<br />
fish farming in Mediterranean sea<br />
GIS visualisation<br />
Bifurcation <strong>of</strong> the Digital Chain<br />
This research investigates contemporary digital technologies <strong>and</strong> how they<br />
are influencing architectural design <strong>and</strong> production.<br />
The parameters affecting architectural design are becoming increasingly<br />
complex <strong>and</strong> interrelated. In contemporary society, digital tools are used to<br />
mange the complexity <strong>of</strong> information, <strong>and</strong> digital technologies have changed<br />
the way people interact with information <strong>and</strong> the world around them. This<br />
thesis investigates the use <strong>of</strong> contemporary digital technologies in design <strong>and</strong><br />
production to determine if they are also being used effectively to manage the<br />
increasing complexity <strong>of</strong> architectural design projects. The research explores<br />
this topic at the level <strong>of</strong> both design theory <strong>and</strong> technology theory, <strong>and</strong> then<br />
employs practical design <strong>and</strong> production investigations as “pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> concept”<br />
for the developed theories. The research work concludes by providing an<br />
answer to the question: “do current digital technologies constitute a paradigmshift<br />
in architecture?”.<br />
The role <strong>of</strong> ocean space in contemporary urbanization<br />
Pressure on ocean space for energy production, extraction <strong>of</strong> resources,<br />
residential, infrastructural <strong>and</strong> logistical development is increasing. Although<br />
research has shown that almost no part <strong>of</strong> the global ocean remains<br />
unaffected by human impact, as yet few architects are involved in this process<br />
<strong>and</strong> physical structures in the ocean seem to be determined by engineering<br />
<strong>and</strong> world market logistics.<br />
The objective <strong>of</strong> this research is to propose a position for ocean spatial typologies<br />
within the contemporary urban debate in relation to networks, l<strong>and</strong>scape,<br />
ecology <strong>and</strong> technology. Ocean activities characterized by a quantum shift in<br />
intensity, scale <strong>and</strong> technology will be the focus <strong>of</strong> the examination.<br />
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the majority <strong>of</strong> spatial decisions<br />
about the ocean apply planning instruments directly comparable to those<br />
used on l<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Interaction with water in the form <strong>of</strong> planning implies particular operational<br />
conditions <strong>and</strong> responsible treatment <strong>of</strong> a valuable resource <strong>and</strong> a complex<br />
habitat. Which forms <strong>of</strong> urbanisation, <strong>and</strong> which planning strategies can be<br />
developed with the ocean itself as an “active” agent?<br />
GeoDesign as an approach to <strong>Architecture</strong><br />
In architecture a variety <strong>of</strong> 2D <strong>and</strong> 3D CAD s<strong>of</strong>tware solutions are used for<br />
design <strong>and</strong> design rendering to create a virtual representation <strong>of</strong> architectural<br />
projects. Although these tools have a great capacity <strong>of</strong> h<strong>and</strong>ling large amounts<br />
<strong>of</strong> data, they fail in integrating the project in it’s urban <strong>and</strong> environmental<br />
context. Geographic Information Systems <strong>and</strong> their s<strong>of</strong>tware application can<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer the missing support in designing a well-integrated project.<br />
Laba thus investigates the possibility <strong>of</strong> creating a GIS Decision Making<br />
S<strong>of</strong>tware Model for <strong>Architecture</strong>, both using existing s<strong>of</strong>tware <strong>and</strong> new<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware development. <strong>laba</strong>’s existing <strong>and</strong> extensive methodology <strong>of</strong> site<br />
investigation will be exp<strong>and</strong>ed through a GIS DMM (Decision Making Model).<br />
This model will incorporate a multitude <strong>of</strong> data layers, from climate data up to<br />
political administration information, which will enable the designer to grasp<br />
the local situation in one central location.<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 11
Research<br />
LiDAR model<br />
population density map<br />
urban portrait from studio basel<br />
Mumbai<br />
Programming Interfaces <strong>and</strong> Google’s keyhole technology.<br />
Laba is also starting to investigate the usage <strong>of</strong> high resolution LiDAR<br />
technologies for site investigation <strong>and</strong> urban fabric analysis. Using LiDAR<br />
architects will be able to stay in touch with the project site even if it is far<br />
away from the architectural <strong>of</strong>fice. Integrating this knowledge in the <strong>laba</strong><br />
investigation model (LIM) will provide the architect with extensive knowledge<br />
<strong>of</strong> the site’s condition.<br />
CH16M2048<br />
Within the framework <strong>of</strong> a larger Sinergia grant application initiated by the<br />
ALICE lab under Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Dieter Dietz, <strong>laba</strong> will conduct research on the<br />
urban morphology <strong>of</strong> a hypothetical Switzerl<strong>and</strong> with 16 million inhabitants in<br />
2048. This will be the focus <strong>of</strong> our 2012 / 2013 studio.<br />
Even though the current <strong>of</strong>ficial projected number <strong>of</strong> inhabitants for 2048<br />
is smaller (around 13 – 14 mil.), the number <strong>of</strong> inhabitants would reach 16<br />
million if we project the growth rate <strong>of</strong> the last few years into the future.<br />
This doubling <strong>of</strong> the population will put considerable pressure on the built<br />
<strong>and</strong> rural environment <strong>of</strong> Switzerl<strong>and</strong>. We believe it will not be sufficient to<br />
simply continue with the existing regional <strong>and</strong> urban strategies, but that new<br />
approaches are needed. Given the longevity <strong>of</strong> urban developments, we further<br />
believe it to be necessary to envision them far ahead <strong>of</strong> time, rather than react<br />
step by step to immediate pressures.<br />
In our first semester, we will look at 5 different regional zones ranging from<br />
metropolitan areas to rural areas <strong>and</strong> propose ‘constitutions’ for these types <strong>of</strong><br />
zones. In the second semester we will focus on exploring urban morphologies,<br />
that is urban <strong>and</strong> architectural interventions that test <strong>and</strong> support the urban<br />
constitutions established in the previous semester. Each architectural / urban<br />
design intervention will refer back to the urban constitution <strong>of</strong> the zone in<br />
which it is located.<br />
Sustainable built environments – Holcim Foundation Forum 2013<br />
<strong>laba</strong> conducts research on sustainable built environments within the<br />
framework <strong>of</strong> the Holcim Foundation Forum 2013. Harry Gugger is in charge<br />
<strong>of</strong> a research group focusing on the ‘compact city’ <strong>and</strong> to what extent we can<br />
still argue today, that this is the most sustainable settlement type. Our group<br />
invited 4 experts from the fields <strong>of</strong> urban design, l<strong>and</strong>scape architecture,<br />
sociology <strong>and</strong> urban planning <strong>and</strong> economics to discuss this topic. Each expert<br />
will submit a paper to be presented at the Forum in Bombay in April 2013 <strong>and</strong><br />
to be published thereafter. Our own paper will act as a framework for the 4<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 12
Reading list<br />
Histoire de l architecture moderne<br />
Learning from Las Vegas<br />
Delirious NY<br />
A<br />
Allen, Stan: Points <strong>and</strong> Lines: Diagrams <strong>and</strong> Projects for the City<br />
B<br />
Baccini, Peter / Oswald, Franz: Netzstadt – Einführung in das Stadtentwerfen<br />
Baccini, Peter, Oswald, Franz: Netzstadt – Transdisziplinare Methoden zum<br />
Umbau urbaner Systeme<br />
Bell, Daniel: The Coming <strong>of</strong> Post-Industrial Society<br />
Benevolo, Leonardo: Histoire de la Ville<br />
Brown, Denise / Venturi, Robert / Izenour, Stephen: Learning from Las Vegas<br />
Burdett, Richard: The Endless City<br />
C<br />
CIAM <strong>manifest</strong>o 1933<br />
Corboz, André: Le Territoire comme palimpeste et autres essais<br />
D<br />
E<br />
F<br />
Flury, Aitoa: Cooperation: The Engineer <strong>and</strong> the Architect<br />
G<br />
H<br />
Hall, Peter: Cities <strong>of</strong> Tomorrow – Critical History <strong>of</strong> Planning in Theory <strong>and</strong><br />
Practice in the 20th Century<br />
David Harvey: The condition <strong>of</strong> postmodernity<br />
Harvey, David: Spaces <strong>of</strong> Capital – Toward a Critical Geography<br />
Harvey, David: Cities <strong>of</strong> Hope<br />
Herzog <strong>and</strong> de Meuron: El Croquis<br />
Hobsbawn, Eric: The Age <strong>of</strong> Capital<br />
I<br />
J<br />
Jacob, Sam: Ceci n’est pas une pipe<br />
Jacobs, Jane: The Death <strong>and</strong> Life <strong>of</strong> Great American Cities<br />
Jameson, Frederic, Postmodernism or the Cultural Logic <strong>of</strong> Late Capitalism<br />
Jameson, Frederic / Meyoshi, Masao: The Cultures <strong>of</strong> Globalization<br />
K<br />
Kahn, Louis: Monograph<br />
Klitz, A. / O.Frey / W.Rosinak: ‘Stadt und Nachhaltigkeit’<br />
Koolhaas, Rem: S,M,L,XL<br />
Koolhaas, Rem: Delirious NY<br />
Koolhaas, Rem: Content<br />
Kunstler, James Howard: The Geography <strong>of</strong> Nowhere: The Rise <strong>and</strong> Decline <strong>of</strong><br />
America’s Man-Made L<strong>and</strong>scape<br />
L<br />
Lampugnani, Vittorio: Architektur und Städtebau des 20. Jahrhunderts<br />
Le Corbusier: Monograph<br />
Lefebvre, Henri: The Production <strong>of</strong> Space (orig. „La Production de<br />
l’Espace“ Paris, 1981)<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 13
Composition et non-composition<br />
Collage City<br />
The endless city<br />
LeGates, Richard T. / Stout, Frederic: The City Reader<br />
Loos, Adolf: sämtliche Schriften in zwei Bänden<br />
LSE: The endless City, Living the Endless City (LSE)<br />
Lucan, J.: composition et non-composition<br />
Lynch, Kevin: The Image <strong>of</strong> the City<br />
M<br />
N<br />
O<br />
OMA: El Croquis<br />
P<br />
Q<br />
R<br />
Rienets, Tim / Sigler, Jennifer / Christiaanse, Kees: Open City- designing coexistence<br />
(Arch Biennale Rotterdam 2009)<br />
Rossi, Aldo: L’<strong>Architecture</strong> de la Ville<br />
Rowe, Collin / Fred Koetter: Collage City<br />
S<br />
Sanaa: El Croquis<br />
Sassen, Saskia: The Global City<br />
Schmid, Christian: Stadt, Raum & Gesellschaft- Henri Lefebvre und die<br />
Theorie der Produktion des Raums, Stuttgart 2010<br />
Schuler, Martin / Dessemontet, Pierre: BFS = Atlas des mutations spatiales<br />
de la Suisse<br />
Soja, Edward W.: Postmetropolis – Critical Studies <strong>of</strong> Cities <strong>and</strong> Regions<br />
Stoll, Katrina / Lloyd, Scott: Infrastructure as <strong>Architecture</strong> - Designing<br />
composite networks<br />
T<br />
Tafuri, Manfredo: <strong>Architecture</strong> <strong>and</strong> Utopia<br />
U<br />
V<br />
Van der Rohe, Mies: Monograph<br />
W<br />
Weber, Max: Die Stadt des Occident<br />
X<br />
Y<br />
Z<br />
Zumthor, Peter: Apprendre à penser l’architecture<br />
<strong>laba</strong> <strong>manifest</strong> - june 2012 14