​

DESIGN CONCEPTS

​

Rintala Eggertsson Architects express their architectural world in relation to the importance of the site`s specific involvement in the design process. In this view we recognized the isolated and green beech tree in the atrium as an opportunity and a thematic reliance. Tree’s isolation in an urban environment and the scenography of the high building that surrounds it, are stressing its transience and fragility. By intervening we wanted to increase the effect of nature in a way that it embraces the tree and we emphasized it with a spatial structure, which would as an interpretation of a forest increase the feelings similar to those, when we are in the forest itself. The isolated tree would in this way, in the company of a multitude of self-similar trees, become stressed. The basic idea is paraphrasing the treetop, trunks and the play of light, which infiltrates through the leaves, twigs and branches. The unified load-bearing units represent an interpretation of a trunk and stronger branches in its storeyed structure. The spatial compositions of opening and overlapping on a smaller scale within individual units find their analogy in the treetops.

​

The basic design concept was conceived by the whole group of students, whilst the last phase that was more related to the specific design of the units was the task of each group separately. Work groups tackled the design within their unit in a manner that fits in the common spatial scheme, yet at the same time as a single unit contributes to a unique spatial experience. The similarity and the design guidance in the usage of the same material, which is differently expressed in various compositions, is revealing in the Muuratsalo House of the architect Alvar Aalto. Such is the present idea of the penetration of the light through the leaves in the treetop (Jap. Komorebi), expressed with the same material, but with different design approaches in the interpretation of the treetops in a spatial structure. Simultaneously it was important in the design process to create a gesture, which would persuade and invite the passers-by to use the spatial structure, and to create a pleasant background for users. In this manner the sequences and the design are both a synthesis of an interpretation of a forest and an observance of the basic social aspects.

 

 

 Design concept of I. Unit

 

The basic design concept of the pavilion was conceived  by the whole group of students, whilst the last phase that was more related to the specific design of the units was the task of each group separately. All the designs of each group were consistent with the common spatial scheme we wanted to achieve. Our group had the desire to introduce a larger social space, therefore our design was coherent with the design of the II. module. Our module is surrounded by the building structure only by one (south) side and on the other sides it opens in the space around the pavilion. One of the side also represents the entrance to the pavilion. The concept is based on the directing flow of the people and on the addressing gesture towards people passing by. Therefore on the longest side (north) is introduced a composition of wooden elements which forms the front façade and gives a feeling of closeness. The façade is not completely closed, it is rather perforated, and as such retains the impression of lightness. This impression is enhanced with verticals terminating before touching the grounds. If we are coming from the side, we are invited by the opening into the interior, where our view becomes concentrated on the tree. Due to higher heights of the pavilion, the ceiling is lowered and forms a mash right above our heads to create a feeling of coziness. The mash becomes more condensed in the neighboring module. In this manner the unified social space opens towards the tree as a focus point of the pavilion.

​

​

 Design concept of II. Unit

​

This space is located between the first and the third unit. After finishing the common load-bearing structural system, a collaboration with neighboring groups was established in order to design a fluid and clear place. The result of the active collaboration with the group of the first unit was an introduction of a larger common space for socializing. The first unit addresses the visitor and directs him into the second unit, which offers a place to stay with its scheme. The unit opens on the north and the south side, whilst it is naturally bounded by the existing tree on the east side. Thus, from the west view it is directly focused on the beech. The floating vertical lamels in the raster contribute to a cleaner perception of space and playfully orient our view to the treetop. The abstract design, the gentle rustling of the leaves and the use of wood with its distinctive smell emphasize the feeling that we are in a forest.

 

 

Design concept of III. Unit

​

Since the unit is embraced on both sides (north and  south), it opens into the interior so that it closes the direct view from the outside. The absence of a clear border between the outside and inside is preferred, therefore the façade is designed in such a way that it closes the space subtly like a curtain. The wooden façade is not touching the ground, but with its offset it imitates the ease of the nearby tree branches. The view from the outside is subtly veiled, so that on the other hand it gives the impression that the interior space continues out. With the addition and the densification of two layers of wooden lamels a spatial sense of the façade is created. One half of the room in the design scheme opens and thus allows a view to the treetop, while the other half deals with the play of light and shade. Thus, the game of duality is set up: full - empty, light - heavy, light - shade and this is symbolically an expression of poetic spatial structure in the area.

 

.

Design concept of IV. Unit

​

Since the fifth module is separated from the structure, the space of the fourth unit is considered the edge. The space at the long south side of the spatial structure is narrow and private, while the space at the north side opens up at the entrance of the faculty. Therefore we decided to completely close the façade with wooden elements to establish a path through and to close the view. The façade is formed out of exchanging lamels, crosswise to the beam of the construction. To enable a space for relaxing and seating, the lamels disappear twice, allowing the user to experience the ambiance, even if he or she does not walk under it. The short closed side of the structure is simply a continuing of an idea, only that here some of the lamels are placed crosswise or longways to the beam, achieving a perforated façade. With the third group moving their façade into the interior, we got a lot more of the private space behind it. We left the opposite side completely empty to open a view to the nature and determine a path out from the structure to the fifth unit. The ceiling with its openness leaves the views toward the sky and the treetop, whilst the ceiling in the unit next by is partially designed and, as such, closed. With that we lightened our strong move of building the two angular sides of the structure. We added only one beam at the top, which limits the perpendicular frame to a square and represents a framed composition of the sky.

​

 

Design concept of V. Unit

​

The fifth unit was separated not only by its position but also by its direction - crosswise to the other four; and as such it is treated independently. Due to our main focus, the hornbeam tree, we had decided to link the unit by two sitting surfaces which, different in height, now represent a newly established connection to the tree. The construction had to be statically adequate and resistant to external pressures, therefore we closed two of the vertical sides; the first is now facing the entry point of the atrium and the second the faculty’s side exit. With the latter we wanted to achieve that, sitting on the lower podium, the half-opened part of the first façade directs the view toward in an axis situated tree, hence finishing the entire façade with the forth module and by that the entire structure. The first side of the façade was formed out of an exchanging (front-back) lamels, crosswise to the already placed beam. With the other side we wanted to construct a background for the tree, observant now to those who exit from the side. The pattern of the first façade is thus repeated, but in this unit the entire side is fully covered.

​

​

​

​

​

​