DIN. Best of both Worlds

Description:

The competition initiated by the German Goethe-Institute (Max Müller Bhavan) in New Delhi asked for proposals for a multifunctional and temporary exhibition and event-space that is to be placed in several Indian cities during the German-Indian-year 2011-2012. The competition has been attended by 73 participants in the first phase and 9 participants in the second phase. With our proposal we have fused and transformed crucial elements of German and Indian architectural heritage into a new pavilion-like structure. In order to do this we have used the inherent modularity, additive strategies, and super-elevation that is found in Indian chattri-structures as well as in slowly grown German churches as playful design-principles. Because the competition brief explicitly asked for a design that performs as an “eye-catcher” within the busy Indian city-centers we have chosen to use the above strategies to create a conglomerated structure that is spectacular by height and form on the one side yet simple in distribution of space on the other. This structure and its additional presentation-spaces are designed as a tent-city that is woven into the given urban spaces opening up at three sides as an overall inviting organism. It is a rich interlocking of, open spaces, semi-open porches, transitional zones and a rather intimate central space to house the main program. The pavilion is made of two interacting elements: (1) the plateau and (2) the skin.

The skin is designed as a membrane which is shaped as a row of chimneys. These chimneys fulfill diverse functions at the same time: they create a very specific interior ambience and as solar chimneys control the natural ventilation of the enclosed spaces as well. Thus they are as important for our approach towards a sustainable building concept as they are crucial to the pavilion’s expressive formal gesture outside and its carefully composed interior light conditions: the most spectacular of the pavilion would not limited to its outer appearance but rather created by its specific interior atmosphere.

The plateau again would support the membrane-structure and house the main serving programs and installations. It was to be made of bamboo and constructed locally by Indian craftsmen. Together with the membrane that would have been produced in Germany the plateau would have formed a visible act of “common effort” shared by Germany and India with the ambition to not just conceptually but literally compile “the best of both worlds”.

Info:

Date: 2010

Place: Seven Cities in India

Size: 414 m² each

Client: Goethe Institut. Max Mueller Bhavan New

OFD-Team: H.Hoffmann, HP.Nünning

Status: 3. Prize, open competition entry

with: Vastu Shilpa Consultants, Soenke Hoof

is an office for architectural design that is based in düsseldorf, germany. it is led by daniela hake and holger hoffmann. the name one fine day suggests a positive basic attitude, idealism and ambition that is necessary to develop architecture beyond standard solutions. it is a claim to the speculative, the unforeseen and the exciting that we see at the core of architecture and design as a cultural discipline.we see ourselves as belonging to a younger generation of architects who are not so much swayed by traditional stylistic argument and the fixation on specific formal vocabularies.

we understand the tension between pragmatic needs and potential spatial, formal and material innovation as the opportunity to create an architecture that is specific in its application, appropriate in its effort and fascinating in its appearance. our aim is to deliver architectural projects that formulate a clear contemporary position combined with precise and long-lasting technical solutions embracing cutting edge methods of industrial production and innovative craft.one fine day handles state-of-the-art computer based design and building technologies. we have in-depth understanding of the latest complex design and modelling tools - but we do not feel obliged to apply these methods if unnecessary.

we are able to perform in ways as pragmatic as required, yet as elaborate and sophisticated as possible.while we understand ourselves as an office with a focus on architectural design one fine day possesses extensive experience in all phases of the production of architecture and urban planning. we are used to working in an international environment with sophisticated clients, tight schedules and complex tasks. for years we have been collaborating with highly specialized and professional offices and individuals worldwide - a reliable and flexible network tailored for out-of-the-box designs.therefore we understand ourselves as enthusiastic partners in a process of common effort with the aim to realize architecture that transcends the ordinary.