Duration: 13 weeks

Project start: Mon 16.10.23  
Excursion Frankfurt: 09.11.23  - 12.11.23       
Presentation Ma_01 : Wed 15.11.23     
Presentation Ma_02 : Wed 13.12.23     
Final Presentation Ma_03 : Wed 14.02.24                                                                   

Introduction:

The typology of skyscrapers is often overlooked in the academic world of architecture, probably due to the negative connotations associated with the real estate speculation that commonly gives rise to them. However, acknowledging this realistic fact, it is essential to recognize that tall buildings are increasingly prevalent in the development of many global cities. Denying their existence is not in line with the reality that surrounds us. Furthermore, the typology of high-rise building possesses certain qualities that deserve critical investigation and thoughtful design. Topics such as urban scale, densification, hybrid or mixed uses, and energy efficiency align with the awareness of reusing existing buildings, which is highly relevant in today's contemporary debate.

For this reason, this semester's work in our group will focus on the design of a high-rise building, approaching it with an open and critical perspective while grounding it in the reality of an existing situation. By intervening in an existing tower in Frankfurt, we will analyze the current urban, spatial, and social conditions and propose its transformation through the reuse and integration of the building within the site.

Objectives:

We will work on reinventing and rethinking the possibilities of how a high-rise building should respond to our times. What is its potential for city densification, how to ensure the coexistence of different programs, uses, and sustainably, and how it can facilitate the creation of public spaces.

Project Phases:

Phase I Research

Each team will select a case study from one or several high-rise buildings and conduct an analysis related to the urban context, the structure, and their uses. The presentation will be made to the entire group through projection, models, or other means considered necessary.                                

Phase II Conceptual model

In phase II, each team will build a conceptual model of the tower in Frankfurt, relating to different methodological themes in Architecture – such as carving, folding, assembling, expanding, enclosing, covering, etc. in order to deeper understand the possibilities of the existing building. Each work will be presented in accordance to its concept – in performance, sculpture, film, etc.

Phase III Highrise building project

In this final phase, each team will design a specific project within the existing building for mixed-use purposes, which may include, for example, residential areas, workspaces, coworking, cultural and social spaces, dining and retail, sports facilities, and indoor or outdoor common areas. The project will be presented through drawings and scale models.

Teams:

The different phases of the semester will be developed in teams of two students.

Excursion:

Frankfurt am Main

Tue 09.11.23 – Sun 12.11.23

Precise schedule and costs will follow in the next days

Time schedule:

Tue 17.10.23                      12:00 h Semester Presentation Start Ma

Thu 09.11.23- Sun 12.11    Excursion Frankfurt                              

Wed 15.11.23                     15:00-18:00 Presentation Ma_01                       

Wed 29.11.23                     14:00-18:00 Presentation Ma_02                       

Wed 14.02.43                     14:00-18:00 Final Presentation Ma_03   

Semester organisation:

Lehrstuhl Grundlagen des Entwerfens

Prof: Enrique Sobejano

Gastdozentin: Helene Peters

Lehrbeauftragte: Stefana Dilova

Tutorinnen: Annalena Mach, C. Tobias Rivera Hisge

Studio: Wednesday 15:00-19:00

Room: 303

Rules of the chair:

- Studio Wednesday attendance is mandatory

- Working in the studio is expected

- Interim and final presentation project, with guest critics

- Interim corrections with Professor and assistants are important; also discussions of other projects should be followed by the other students

- The documents requested must exist and are not filed during the duties/presentations

- Regular checking of emails for announcements and events is expected