Delft Univeristy – School of Architecture
Type: competition
Location: Delft, Netherlands
Design completion: 2008
Delft Univeristy – Faculty of Architecture
Type: competition
Location: Delft, Netherlands
Design completion: 2008
On 13 May 2008, the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) was unexpectedly reduced to ashes by a devastating fire. The Faculty of Architecture decided to organise an open international ideas competition, in preparation of a project competition for the new faculty building in 2009.
CROPKA Architects responded with a bold design idea called “Connect and Inspire”.
INTRODUCTION
'Connect and Inspire' stimulate the design idea at both city relation and building concept levels. Architecture is a unique discipline of science which as a form of art has the special ability to inspire common people's minds. This inspiration can become a starting, connecting point between city and faculty, between architects and community and finally between businesses and University. This thought is central to our concept.
DYNAMICS OF CITY AND CAMPUS
Region – University relation
The heart of Faculty – its atrium is extracted in a form of a Pavilion which as a temporary structure might be used in public areas as an attractive exhibition space. Erected on Delft's central market, or on any other suitable location within the region, it is designed to promote the University and to attract local businesses. It may also become an informal gallery where students can share their ideas and passions with other citizens.
Faculty – Campus relation
Responding to the new masterplan arrangements the proposed Faculty becomes a natural extension of the campus's central spine – the Energy Line. Its central atrium forms an internal plaza – gathering and exhibition space located at the circulation route between the arrival point – car park and the destination – various faculties.
NEW CONCEPTS
Modern education is about flexibility, about giving the best, most adjustable environment that is easy to adapt to changing requirements and needs. It is about inspiring minds but also about giving them a place to relax and a place to focus. Integration is an equally important aspect of this design. The proposed building is filled with common spaces giving the opportunity to exhibit, share ideas, meet businesses, work in groups, and enjoy breaks together. As all these are well mixed a chance of accidental inspirational discovery and integration opportunity are hugely increased.
Proposed design consists of public two storey base which contains a set of lively functions scattered round the central heart – the Energy Atrium. Upper levels are formed by a mikado of modular study and office blocks. Their footprint is driven by natural ventilation and maximisation of daylight use. Vegetated roofs create break out zones for students and staff, at the same time bringing balance to green landscape across the campus. The mikado is jointed by a common green circulation platform of the base's roof.
Front of the building is transparent and inviting. In summer façade opens out onto the canal and park making restaurant and faculty club more welcoming and better connected with surrounding.
SUSTAINABILITY
16m deep and 4m high storeys of mikado blocks allow for cross ventilation and even distribution of daylight. Atrium space improves stack effect and allows for natural ventilation of the base. Concrete structure provides thermal mass – internal slabs cooled by night air coming through high level windows help maintaining appropriate indoor temperature. Green roof areas help to reduce the urban heat island effect, benefit biodeversity and minimise surface water run off. Ground-coupled heat exchangers draw air from the basement through underground tubes where it reaches ambient Earth temperature which is subsequently used in summer to cool down and in winter to pre-heat the Energy Atrium.
CROPKA Architects responded with a bold design idea called “Connect and Inspire”.
INTRODUCTION
'Connect and Inspire' stimulate the design idea at both city relation and building concept levels. Architecture is a unique discipline of science which as a form of art has the special ability to inspire common people's minds. This inspiration can become a starting, connecting point between city and faculty, between architects and community and finally between businesses and University. This thought is central to our concept.
DYNAMICS OF CITY AND CAMPUS
Region – University relation
The heart of Faculty – its atrium is extracted in a form of a Pavilion which as a temporary structure might be used in public areas as an attractive exhibition space. Erected on Delft's central market, or on any other suitable location within the region, it is designed to promote the University and to attract local businesses. It may also become an informal gallery where students can share their ideas and passions with other citizens.
Faculty – Campus relation
Responding to the new masterplan arrangements the proposed Faculty becomes a natural extension of the campus's central spine – the Energy Line. Its central atrium forms an internal plaza – gathering and exhibition space located at the circulation route between the arrival point – car park and the destination – various faculties.
NEW CONCEPTS
Modern education is about flexibility, about giving the best, most adjustable environment that is easy to adapt to changing requirements and needs. It is about inspiring minds but also about giving them a place to relax and a place to focus. Integration is an equally important aspect of this design. The proposed building is filled with common spaces giving the opportunity to exhibit, share ideas, meet businesses, work in groups, and enjoy breaks together. As all these are well mixed a chance of accidental inspirational discovery and integration opportunity are hugely increased.
Proposed design consists of public two storey base which contains a set of lively functions scattered round the central heart – the Energy Atrium. Upper levels are formed by a mikado of modular study and office blocks. Their footprint is driven by natural ventilation and maximisation of daylight use. Vegetated roofs create break out zones for students and staff, at the same time bringing balance to green landscape across the campus. The mikado is jointed by a common green circulation platform of the base's roof.
Front of the building is transparent and inviting. In summer façade opens out onto the canal and park making restaurant and faculty club more welcoming and better connected with surrounding.
SUSTAINABILITY
16m deep and 4m high storeys of mikado blocks allow for cross ventilation and even distribution of daylight. Atrium space improves stack effect and allows for natural ventilation of the base. Concrete structure provides thermal mass – internal slabs cooled by night air coming through high level windows help maintaining appropriate indoor temperature. Green roof areas help to reduce the urban heat island effect, benefit biodeversity and minimise surface water run off. Ground-coupled heat exchangers draw air from the basement through underground tubes where it reaches ambient Earth temperature which is subsequently used in summer to cool down and in winter to pre-heat the Energy Atrium.
