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Brussels, 21st of March 2005 / Archi-News n°3-2005  
  Editiorial

Architecture XXL

The relatively sluggish economic recovery in the construction industry within the European Union did not prevent Bau 2005 from breaking all the records. Already described as “the largest construction materials fair in Europe”, its 170,000 m² of exhibition space welcomed the extended range of goods and services of around 1900 exhibitors from the four corners of the globe.

Architecture was omnipresent at the exhibition, and not only in relation to the available materials or in relation to energy efficiency projects. On the stands of the large manufacturers, visitors could also admire the flagship projects that show these materials “in action” so-to-speak. There was a true feeling that an inevitable change is in the air in terms of techniques and complexity and also, and above all, in the ever closer relationship that the producers, the architects and the engineers need to nurture to face up to the financiers. As architecture is no longer the art of creating space but is the art of orchestrating the various facets of the construction schedule. An essential skill when it comes to large-scale projects.

Organised within the framework of BAU 2005, the conference on stadiums demonstrated, if this was necessary, the interest in mega projects. Stadiums, exhibition centres and leisure centres, airports and railways, these cathedrals of the new millennium are faced with a large number of challenges and call for a pooling of experience and know-how. After all, “architecture is the art of mastering matter, light and dimension”. This observation by Dominique Perrault could also be applied to Norbert Koch, who has graciously accepted to pay us the honour of presiding over our first Archi Europe competition. His architect firm will be the subject of our ‘portrait of the month”.

The Archi-Europe Team




Right: Architect Norbert Koch, president of the jury of first Archi-Europe competition during Bau 2005.

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  Portrait of the Month

Koch + Partner

When it comes to architectural interest, there is no doubt that large public works such as airports are today’s stars. Terminal 2 of Munich airport, inaugurated in June 2003, brought the Munich-based Norbert Koch architect firm into the international limelight. This is a perfect example of a large project where perfectly oiled interdisciplinary work is of the essence.

Founded in 1970, from the outset, his firm has put the emphasis on productive exchanges of ideas and respect for individual points of view. This group work is based on a sense of partnership that brings the numerous assistants into the decision-making process. Norbert Koch, Wolf-Dieter Drohn, Michael Schneider, Wolfgang Voigt and other partners have successfully developed projects without falling into the dangerous though sometimes enticing trap of reducing architecture to ‘packaging”.

This is demonstrated by the library of the University of Erfurt or the sensitive renovation of the BVB Alliance building in Munich. The latest projects on the drawing board include the “Palace of Wedding” in Moscow and an urban restructuring in Qingdao in China for around 33,000 inhabitants. A combination of western and eastern cultures, the composition of this new urban landscape juxtaposes forms that have very assertive symbolic values. Whether in Germany or abroad, the firm’s aim is always to create spaces without losing sight of the human factor.

What first of all strikes visitors to the highly efficient and sophisticated Terminal 2 of Munich airport is its sheer immensity. The functional complexity of the Terminal makes it a microcosm that reflects an urban organisation with its human activities and its various traffic flows. The architecture only exists for the useful internal space, which is particularly heterogeneous. The two-level design ensures the flow of the passengers within the Terminal. With its monumental and crystalline geometric shape, the Terminal, bathed in light, plays with the transparent effects of the external husk. The orthogonal layout of the buildings creates harmony and unrestricted view. To save energy, the building has been given a double skin façade and equipped with a photovoltaic system on the roof. Translucent textile veils protect the check-in hall from the sun, thus further amplifying the roof structure. The light that reflects in its huge volumes generates an extraordinary impression of power.

But the lightness of the husk removes the oppressive side of the monumentality. This is how the architects Koch + Partner succeeded in overcoming the acute problem of how to deal architecturally with the airports of the 21st century, their essential needs of securisation and simplification.

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Exterior view


Art meets Architecture
Observation platform

 

  Honorable mentions - Competition

Categorie « Office-/Administrative buildings »

Office Building Centrale Police - Erandio – Spain
Architects : Ignacio Garai Zabala - IDOM-ACXT (Bilbao, España)

Housing the administrative services for the general public, the 12,130 m² building clearly sets out to be a large opaque block, without reference on human scale, made up of a central space surrounded by offices. A double skin, glass on the inside, wooden slats on the outside, protects the working areas from the sun’s rays. This plays a fundamental role in the thermic control, energy saving and air conditioning of the building.

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Building Winters Bouw en Ontwikkeling – Breda – The Netherlands
Architects : Grosfeld Architecten (Breda)

Designed as a simple rectangular volume, the building is alternately covered by panes of the same size in concrete and in glass. The continuity in the form and in the material between the office spaces and the production areas makes for an unusual typology in this industrial zone, distinguishing it from its purely industrial surroundings. It is interesting to note that an aluminium frame system has been specially developed to make the façade as level as possible.

 
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Biocatalyse at Graz – Austria
Architects : Ernst Giselbrecht (Graz)

The laboratory takes the form of a six storey cube, decorated to the south by a system of aluminium openings integrating solar protection elements in aluminium sheeting. Perforated and painted in different colours corresponding to the inside of the premises, they come with special pleat features. A dynamic and fun way of approaching architecture, proving that creativity and limited budget are compatible.

 

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Categorie «  Residential Buildings  »

Project Seewürfel at Zurich - Swiss
Architects : Stefan Camenzind - Camenzind Evolution AG (Zürich)

Situated on the edge of the lake, this project of eight constructions reflects the diversity of the volumes and of the materials of an urban district. It has succeeded in achieving a balance between one same architectural language and different façade styles that highlight the interpenetration of the volumes. Fibre cement slabs are combined with panels in glass and in laminated wood, whose different essences serve to highlight the identity of each building.

 

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Villa at Tallin - Estonia
Architects : Andri Kirsima – Architektuurstuudio Kirsima Ja Niineväli (Tallin)

The architectural principle is based on perspectives that open out onto the surrounding forest. A base in concrete and natural stones serves as a platform for an inclined construction that highlights a glass curtain wall lined with pine slats. Placed 80 cm from the wall, this exterior skin allows a solar and visual protection, while merging the building with its forest environment.

 
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Studio at Nijmegen – The Netherlands
Architects : Addy de Boer – Nexitarchitecten (Arnhem)

This artist’s studio is an example of an original way of treating a facade that reflects the creativity and innovative adaptation of the materials. The steel structure has been covered in open elements in exotic wood and closed elements (sandwich panels). In a dynamic interplay, the glass façade is decorated with a large figurative pattern that casts a shadow over the internal spaces. This vertical artificial herb garden integrates the building into its environment.

 

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  Product of the Month

Valli&Valli
DESIGN, HIGH QUALITY, ATTENTION TO DETAIL

SALONE DEL MOBILE - Milan 13th/18th April 2005
Stand Fusital A22-B17 - Hall 20

A comprehensive range of door handles and furniture fittings characterises the presence of Valli&Valli at Salone del Mobile 2005 in Milan. Complete in that it caters for all tastes and in the wide scope covered by the different ranges, with great attention to quality, resulting from important investments in technological research by Valli&Valli.

With the Fusital trade-mark of artistic handles, Valli&Valli introduces its most recent collections to the specialists in the sector, collections that once again point to the strength of the company in anticipating taste trends and in putting forward some new finishes and also in submitting classic solutions for the more traditional and period style of environment. The new Fusital models presented at the Salone del Mobile in Milan have been designed by prestigious names auch as Alan Ritchie - Philip Johnson Architects (Series AR Duemiladue H 351) and Odile Decq-Benoît Cornette (Series ODBC Duemiladue H 352).



Series ODBC Duemiladue H 352
Design Odile Decq - Benoit Cornette

Series AR Duemiladue H 351
Design Alan Ritchie - Philip Johnson Architects

Series ODBC Duemiladue H 352 (design Odile Decq - Benoit Cornette) represents the shape synthesis of the highly recognizable language of the French studio Odile Decq - Benoit Cornette, putting movement at the centre of their projects. Their concept of dynamism, applied to the design of door handles, leads to the definition of a series where the combination of shapes and volumes with different functions build up a dynamic balance expressing a constant movement. Series ODBC Duemiladue is in brass and available in the finishes polished chrome and satin chrome. The series includes door handle on rose, window handle, window handle with 4-click positions, pull handle, door knob and matching key.

Series AR Duemiladue is in brass and available in the finishes polished chrome, satin chrome and brass. The series includes door handle on rose, window handle, window handle with 4-click positions, escutcheons, pull handle, fixed door knob, bathroom privacy set, matching key and coat hook.

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  Agenda

- GERMANY -

  • Architektur der Wunderkinder - Aufbruch und Verdrängung in Bayern 1945-1960 (03/02 – 30/04/2005) Munich
    Pinakothek der Moderne
    Exposition axée sur la planification et la construction en Bavière dans l’après-guerre.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Views of Modern Architecture (12/03 – 29/05/2005 ) Weil am Rhein
     Vitra Design Museum
    Des photographies d’architecture issues de la collection Alberto Sartoris en dialogue avec des objets du Vitra Design Museum
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Architektur der Wunderkinder - Aufbruch und Verdrängung 1945 bis 1960 ( 3/01 – 1/05/2005) Munich
    Architekturmuseum
    Exposition dans le cadre de l’histoire de l’architecture bavaroise.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- AUSTRIA -

  • Peter Eisenman (15/12/2004 – 22/5/2005) Vienne
    MAK Exhibition Hall
    Spécialement produite pour le MAK, cette exposition de l’œuvre de l’architecte américain est un événement en soi.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- BELGIUM -

  • Art Deco & modernisme - architectuur tussen de wereldoorlogen (16/04/2005) Bruxelles
    Circuit dans le quartier Dansaert organisé par le Vlaams Architectuur Instituut
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Les frères Bourgeois / André Jacqmain (24/11/2004 – 27/03/2005) Bruxelles
    Fondation pour l’Architecture
    L'oeuvre de deux figures importantes dans le paysage architectural belge.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Les nouveaux albums des Jeunes Architectes 2003-2004
    (28/01 – 30/04/2005) Bruxelles
    CIVA/ Espace Architecture La Cambre
    Nouveaux visages et nouvelles approches sur l’architecture et sur la ville.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • b&k+brandlhuber&co+a42.org (Architects, Keulen & Masters of Architecture, Nürnberg) - Collecting the future (17/02 – 10/04/2005) Anvers
    DeSingel
    Exposition sur des architectes prônant l’interdisciplinarité.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • MiniMomes : Meubles à vivre, livres à jouer (6/03 – 16/04/2005) Hornu
    Site du Grand-Hornu
    Du mobilier pour les petits créé par les plus grands designers.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Lucien Hervé - L’oeil de l’architecte (29/04 au 25/09 2005) Bruxelles
    CIVA
    Exposition des oeuvres du photographe qui a le mieux révélé l’architecture de Marcel Breuer, Le Corbusier ou Alvar Aalto.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- SPAIN -

  • Paris and the Surrealists (17/02 – 22/05/2005) Barcelone
    CCCB
    La constellation d’artistes, écrivains, metteurs en scène et activistes du Paris d’après 1918.
    --- Click here for more information ---

  • Yves Klein (01/02 – 02/05/2005) Bilbao
    Musée Guggenheim
    L'exposition propose plus de cent œuvres qui illustrent toutes les périodes de la trajectoire créative du célèbre artiste français (1928-1962).
    --- Click here for more information ---

- ESTONIA -

  • Heritage Month: Heritage protection in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (28/04 – 22/05/2005) Tallinn
    Museum of Estonian Architecture
    Un architecte du paysage estonien.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- FINLAND -

  • Fantasy Design – design education for children (08/04 – 15/05/2005) Helsinki
    Design Museum
    Exposition itinérante de projets d’étudiants belges, norvégiens, écossais, danois et finlandais.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- FRANCE -

  • Acquisitions récentes (25/03 – 31/05/2005) Paris
    Galerie 54
    Exposition des dessins, photos, sculptures des années 20 aux années 60.
    Tél. +33 01 43 26 89 90 - Fax +33 01 43 29 36 29

  • Jaipur, une ville rose en Inde (17/04 – 21/05/2005) Toulouse
    Centre Méridional de l'Architecture et de la Ville
    Exposition réalisée et présentée par l'École d'Architecture de Toulouse
     --- Click here for more information ---

  • L'architecture traditionnelle dans le Nord de l'Europe (20/04/2005) Paris
    Société Française des Architectes
    Conférence sur le bois dans l’architecture en Russie du Nord, Finlande, Suède, Norvège et Danemark
     --- Click here for more information ---
- GREAT BRITAIN -

  • 100 Years - 100 Chairs (18/02 – 05/05/2005) Manchester
    Cube (Center for the Understanding of the Built Environment)
    Exposition organisée par le Vitra Design Museum.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- GREECE -

- ITALY -

  • Andrea Palladio e la villa Veneta Da Petrarca a Carlo Scarpa
    (05/03 – 03/07/2005) Vicenza
    Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architectura Andrea Palladio
    Exposition de 300 œuvres et maquettes d’architecture.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- NORWAY -

- THE NETHERLANDS -

  • Antoni Gaudí - Dromen en bouwen (28/04 – 18/09/2005) Rotterdam
    Kunsthal
    Exposition de maquettes, dessins et photos issus du monde fascinant de l’architecte catalan.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- POLAND -

- PORTUGAL -

- RUSSIA -

- CZECH REPUBLIC -

- SWEDEN -

- SWISS -

  • Max Bill the atelier house bill - Zürich-Höngg 1932-1933 (13/10/2004 - 1/05/2005) Zurich
    Un hommage à l’architecte – designer à partir de sa première oeuvre, synthèse de son travail.
    --- Click here for more information ---

- TURKYE -

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