Offices for Architectural Theory
Prof. Bart Lootsma, Head of the Institute
“It is hard to tell whether these office boxes are a gathering of small caravans, large pieces of furniture or Minimal Art. The project recalls both Archizoom’s Residential Parking Lots and Habitable Cupboard (around 1970) and Joep van Lieshout’s caravans.
01
The Institute for Architectural Theory, newly founded in 2006, is housed in two former seminar rooms of the Faculty of Architecture. The partition wall was removed, creating a large, loft-like space. This space was left as it was found, including the linoleum floor, broken glass façades and brutalist concrete ceilings. Nevertheless, every member of staff has their own workspace to retreat to in order to make phone calls, surf the internet or study undisturbed.
02
The boxes are on wheels for several reasons. Firstly, this keeps the spatial organisation of the institute flexible. If intensive collaboration is required, the boxes can be joined together; if privacy is wanted, they can be turned away from each other or pushed aside when a guest lecture or a party takes place at the institute. Secondly, the existing air-conditioning system can continue to operate in summer without costly adjustments. Power outlets are located in the ceiling; internet and telephone are wireless. Informally arranged, the boxes leave room for generous meeting spaces. There, also on wheels, are conference tables and seminar tables, and there is a kitchen as well.
Lamps are simply hung from the ceiling with hooks. And so that these too are not tied to a fixed position, the switches are operated directly at the socket by means of wireless remote controls. In addition, wall units form flexible partitions.
04
Maximum space was created here for a minimal budget, and an optimal sense of adventure was achieved.”
In 2011 the project received a commendation at the Holzbaupreis Tirol pro:holz (Tyrolean timber construction award).
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