The task was to design a new foyer and an entrance to the Building Academy, as well as to adapt an existing factory hall into a cultural venue. After the conversion, the foyer will serve multiple purposes — as a lobby for the school and as a public space for various cultural events in the adjacent halls, such as presentations, movie screenings, concerts or rehearsals. The new foyer creates a consistent and smooth transition between the exterior and the interior of the building. It connects the different functional areas in one continuous fluid space and creates an open and evocative atmosphere. Structural performance, lighting and functional zoning, as well as the creation of an intuitively understandable guidance system correlate in one continuous structure. The widening of the pattern from a framed into a freely spreading geometry can be read as a contingent affiliation of the existing spatial characteristics. The three-dimensional pattern was generated in a simulation of fluids based on particle flows. Liquids have three essential parameters: viscosity, density and surface tension. The interactions between these three physical properties have been tested on the computer in a series of variations to generate a pattern with a big amount of holes and a high level of coherence. Realizing this complex structure in exposed concrete posed major challenges in the area of formwork construction, which was tested and optimized in 1 : 1 mock ups. The finely triangulated surface of the concrete structure allows a subtle play of light and shadow and was achieved by testing different milling techniques. The advanced geometry of the roof and its innovative construction process reflect the competencies and teaching focus of the Building Academy in the field of concrete application.
Completion 2012
Client: Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
User: Building Academy Salzburg
Architect: soma (team: Alex Matl, Jeanin Wörndl, Nadine Rössler)
Structural Engineer: Brandstätter ZT GmbH
HVAC: TB Stampfer
Electrical Engineer: Instaplan
Acoustic / Building Physics: Quiring Consultants
