Sebastian Schott
Catalytic moments in space
At the interface between the University of Iceland, the residential area in the south and the old airport area to the east, this project proposes a hybrid building typology combining a research centre and a housing complex. The proposition is based on demographic facts relating to housing and tourism in Reykjavik and Iceland as well as coinciding with the intention of the university to expand in the next years.
On an urban scale, the building is the interface between the proposed inner and outer campus organizations. It posits an underground infrastructure that keeps the over ground campus area free from automobile traffic. The shift between fast underground and slow over ground movement is organised around a hinge between vertical and horizontal movements.
The building brings together different user groups, such as students, scientists, tourists and commuters. These groups occupy living and working conditions that offer privacy interlaced with various public spaces: restaurants, recreation and exhibition zones as well as spa areas. University facilities such as laboratory spaces are adjacent to the exhibition space that deals with the topic of natural sciences and resources.
The proposition is presented in the context of a thesis about catalytic spatial moments. These spatial moments are derived from an analysis of the Schminke House by Hans Scharoun. The analysis concludes with a unit geometry that is articulated through a closed, twisted strip system. The resulting ring typology functions on different levels – in the Schminke House both as living room furniture and central staircase connecting and organising different zones.
In the proposed building the catalytic unit is the structural element that transforms from a closed, continuous wall element in the north to a cantilevering roof in the southern and western part. Out of this twisted elements the supporting structure for the living units develops, creating a corridor space between housing units. Users can walk on the ring structure throughout the building, circling around the interior public lobby and exhibition space.