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COMMUNITY LABORATORY
VU Gebäudelehre

EXHIBITION & AWARD CEREMONY
TUE, 21.1.2025, 18:00 – TVFA-HALLE, TU WIEN

The Community Laboratory is envisioned as a polyvalent space that becomes a catalyst for social interaction, knowledge exchange, cultural enrichment, and sustainable urban development. More than just a physical structure, it will serve as a dynamic hub where culture, sports, education, and production converge, fostering new ways for the community to engage and interact.

Ecological position
As architects operating amid the climate crisis, we must confront our practice’s undeniable impact on the environment and question the ethics within the construction sector. We must recognize the pressing demands of the ecological crisis in every design challenge. This leads us to the pivotal question: Should we continue constructing new buildings? And if so, how should we approach the design and construction of these new structures? The design studio will prioritize minimizing environmental harm to expand through long-lasting resilient architecture that ensures distinct qualities of spaces that can adapt to both present and future needs.

We will structure our work around three vital architectural principles, each addressing a specific aspect of design and construction:

1. Resilience (Firmitas)
We will explore how to create long-lasting structures capable of withstanding both programmatic change and the passage of time. The spatial organization of the Community Laboratory should ensure its relevance for future generations. How do we design for durability while also considering the changing needs within an urban context?

2. Performability (Utilitas)
Architecture must enable performative scenarios, encouraging diverse uses and activities. Our design process will oscillate between generic and specific, allowing the space to transform and support various programs—from workshops to performances, classes to community events. How can we create distinct spaces to serve their intended and unknown purposes?

3. Aesthetics (Venustas)
Beauty is not merely ornamental; it is integral to resilience. We will examine proportion and polyvalence, ensuring that the space performs well and inspires and uplifts those who use it. In this studio, we will challenge the idea that polyvalence equals neutrality, seeking ways to imbue the space with character, identity, and meaning through design choices that also incorporate millennia-old exploration of proportion.

How can we create a new architecture that minimizes its environmental impact and actively contributes to the well-being of the community and the planet?

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