Jonas Kroeber
Andrejsala academy, Riga. RWTH Aachen (Germany)
a new school of architecture - located not at a campus but in the very centre of rigas new cultural quarter. an urban hub - not isolating but always allowing for communication between public and student life forms the idea for this building.
its defined rectangular shape creates a reference point within the mixed environment. the low heigth refers to the surrounding cultural buildings. by extending horizontally the building maximises public space.
the design starts with the understanding of a system that minimises resistance to become part of the public space, but also creates a strong presence to capture the public and to create spaces for encounters, activities, exhibitions.
distorting the traditional orthogonal grid creates a dynamic movement that is no longer centred but tangential, interweaving spaces, vistas and passages within the building. the grid itself is realigned towards the main referende points: water edge and museum square.
as central point of the academy, the forum connects all public and student's areas across all levels. it contains spaces for exhibitions and events and links the river banks with the museum square.
workshops are located at waterlevel and open up to the adjoined park. the upper levels contain administration, offices and research labs. studios, seminar and crit aeras are located at top level.
the structure as an integral part of the design defines the directions of the grid. it consists of intersecting trusses changing directions on each level. the load is supported by the intersections and where necessary by the facade.
the facade continues the concept of criss-crossing vistas and ways through the building. it consists of vertical louvres. by changing density or orientation they create specific light, transparencies or highpoints within the building.
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