Innholdsfortegnelse for 11/24 i Baumeister

Dear reader, anyone who knows BAUMEISTER is aware that this year we have been dealing increasingly with the topics of circularity and building in existing contexts. After years of abundance and western resource consumption, we in the western world are now not only facing inflation and ever-widening crises, but also a new architectural era. To put it bluntly, we have to face the fact that we are no longer allowed to construct new buildings. We must focus on the existing building stock and, above all, on repurposing existing buildings. We are simply running out of resources. In light of this, I am particularly pleased that we were able to bring the inspiring team of the international office Caruso St John on board for this year's guest-curated issue. A magazine, and…

I should start off by saying that I will not be presenting a full overview of the history of architecture, due to lack of time and capacity. I will instead be flagging key moments I believe exemplify certain issues underpinning the relationship between the design and the building site. Were this a less abridged presentation of our research into the history of architecture (from our Dessin /Chantier laboratory in Grenoble), I would introduce our guiding theoretical bases. Academic honesty demands it. However, I have obeyed this requirement so many times that I believe I can today limit myself to the essentials.1 Architecture forms part of a larger whole — that of the entire scope of construction. In turn, construction forms part of an even larger whole, which is that of…

from, Grace Ndiritu, Healing The Museum, SMAK Ghent 2023 Healing The Museum Man is a social being. Factors such as political conflict, social tension and economic stress affect his mental health. Such factors are at least as important as biological factors. Frantz Fanon paid particular attention to these social problems and his brand of political psychiatry is as relevant today as it was during his time. Alienation and oppression still exist. Unemployment is widespread and tyrannical rulers still oppress their people. Mental illness cannot be solved by drugs but by changes in the political and social order. (01) In 2012, I began creating a new body of work under the title Healing The Museum. It came out of a deep need to reintroduce nonrational methodologies such as shamanism in order…

Permaculture Design System Evolution Introduction: What is Permaculture? Having said in the preface that I don't want to define or control permaculture, I now must do at least the first of these for the purpose of clarifying the subject of this book. The Vision The word permaculture was coined by Bill Mollison and myself in the mid-1970s to describe an “integrated, evolving System of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man”.1 A more current definition of permaculture used by many teachers, which reflects the expansion of focus implicit in Permaculture One (1978), is “Consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for Provision of local needs.” People, their buildings, and the ways they organise…

Quarry-Inspired Façade Design for Herdecke Townhouses Brillux In the redevelopment project in Herdecke, architects post welters + partner mbB designed ten townhouses with a façade inspired by quarry stone. To achieve this effect, Ambrock GmbH utilized “Brillux's Creativ Vivalin 866” façade glaze, creating a shimmering finish on feature walls that contrasts with the varied grey textures of adjacent surfaces. The façade also features a broom finish with “Mineral Lightweight Render KR K3 3622” and a textured application of “Mineral Light-weight Render G 3679” to mimic quarry stones' internal layers. The project meets the KfW 40+ energy efficiency standard, with 70 percent of the homes being subsidized, and has been well-received for its visual impact and integration with the natural environment. Custom Design for Panels Fundermax Fundermax offers personalized design options…

Solutions Heroal The “Heroal C 50” is a versatile, thermally insulated aluminium curtain wall system designed for various applications, including vertical mullion/transom configurations, roof surfaces, and conservatories. It provides excellent thermal insulation with U f values up to 1.2 W/m²K, alongside optimised ventilation and drainage. Available in multiple variants, such as fire protection and high insulation, the system features an innovative insulation concept and efficient processing. A wide range of finishes, including RAL, DB, and “Les Couleurs Le Corbusier” colours, offer design flexibility. It supports integrated elements like sun protection, windows, and doors.…

Seamless Insulation Schöck The “Schöck Sconnex system” optimises thermal insulation in walls and columns, reducing energy loss by up to 40 %. Sconnex eliminates the need for flank insulation, allowing for clean, exposed concrete finishes without compromising energy efficiency. It is particularly useful in areas like basements, garages, and façade projections, where thermal bridges often occur. By maintaining a continuous insulation layer, it raises surface temperatures, preventing condensation and mould. Schöck Sconnex is certified by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt), ensuring reliable performance and making it an efficient solution for architects focused on both energy savings and aesthetics. Defining Architecture with Horizontal Precision Hagemeister Hagemeister's 365 mm linear shaped clinker bricks offer a new format for architectural design. Their narrow, elongated shape highlights horizontal lines on buildings, catering…

The architectural project shifts every decade or so, the productive turn of the 1950s gives way to the social in the 1960s and 70s, and the formal in the 1980s and 90s. Each change is a reaction to what came before it, and is a response to the present. A few good ideas and buildings come out of each epoch, and much emerges that is of less interest and quality. The last thirty years have seen an unprecedented production of building at a global scale, as architects have aligned their practices ever closer to the economies of extraction. I believe that the only response to this outpouring of resources, at least in the west, is to stop new building. The new turn will be one of circularity. This new paradigm…

This essay was commissioned by David Chipperfield during his Covid-times editorship of Domus, for an issue where his editorial asks 'Will technology save us?'. The essay follows one about Reyner Banham and High Tech, and Helen Thomas describes an entirely different way of understanding technology, one liberated from outdated western canons of architecture and instead located within highly specific historic and geographic situations. Starting with a question of whatever happened to the second Venice Biennale of Architecture (1982), the one about the Islamic world, which followed on from the canon-boosting 'Presence of the Past' (1980), Thomas proceeds to unearth a rich set of networks and ideas that emerged from the biennale, just not in the view of the west. By the end of the essay, in the person and practice…

From furniture to lighting and textiles, these brands provide architects and designers with the tools to create spaces that are as timeless as they are functional, and visually striking. In this article, we're thrilled to explore ten of the most iconic brands – Vitra, HAY, Thonet, USM, E15, Fritz Hansen, FLOS, Louis Poulsen, Kvadrat, and Occhio – and examine what makes them indispensable for architects across the globe. Vitra: Vitra is the perfect union of form and function Vitra is a design powerhouse that has long been at the forefront of furniture design. The company is known for its amazing collaborations with some of the most iconic designers in history, including Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Jean Prouvé. The result is a portfolio of furniture that perfectly balances…

Solutions Schüco The “Schüco AOC add-on construction system” integrates aluminium with timber or steel substructures for a sleek and functional design. It offers high load-bearing capacity, narrow face widths, and optimised thermal and sound insulation, meeting passive house standards. Certified by Cradle to Cradle, the system supports sustainable construction. The “AOC.TI” variant uses timber as a renewable resource in the substructure. With outer frame options of 50, 60, or 75 millimeters, the system covers façades and skylights up to 25 meters long. Features like uniform gaskets, GI technology, and modular connectors simplify installation and improve efficiency.…

Whenever we build, we either contribute to or counteract dominant processes of change. It is increasingly clear that the industrialised ways of making buildings with concrete, steel and petrochemicals that came to dominate construction in the twentieth century are changing the world in ways that are profoundly damaging, not only at the site of construction but across a vast network of sites of material extraction, processing, transportation and warehousing. Forming genuinely new possibilities in any field, including construction, can often feel like it depends on a complete break from the conditions of the present: something akin to a revolution. Revolutions are easy to talk about, and perhaps, in an abstract sort of way, easy to imagine. But they are not so easy to start, let alone carry through. Widespread and…

After working for ten years as a development expert in Africa, I returned to Switzerland in 1991. Following this long absence, I was especially struck by the growing throwaway mentality in all realms, especially in my area of expertise, the construction sector: increasing numbers of buildings constructed of high-quality materials and parts were being demolished, and the materials discarded or carted off to landfills. Salvage yards and material storehouses such as those belonging to the firms Musfeld in Basel, Abbruch Honegger in Zurich, or Kappeler in Berne no longer existed. Only Martin Hiltbrunner, a demolition and dismantling contractor in Riedtwil, had retained his large storage yard in the countryside. Instead, a new phenomenon was on everyone's lips: the internet. Building component exchanges in Switzerland In Africa I had learned that…

Solar-Powered Glass Balustrades Glas Marte The “GM Railing” with photovoltaics from Glas Marte combines a glass balustrade with integrated solar cells, offering both safety and energy efficiency. This system is ideal for new builds and renovations in residential, hotel, or office settings. Unlike competing systems, the connectors for the photovoltaics are neatly integrated into the parapet profile, allowing for a clean design without a bulky handrail. The photovoltaic glass can be customized with various colors and designs without losing efficiency; the arrangement of solar cells allows for varying degrees of transparency. Installation is simple, involving the attachment of the substructure and hanging the prefabricated glass modules. So it provides an effective energy source, especially during mornings and evenings. Modern Façades with Versatile Slate Design Rathscheck Rectangular slate tiles from Rathscheck…

Energy-Efficient Building. With Concrete. InformationsZentrum Beton The new brochure „Energiesparend Bauen. Mit Beton.“ from the InformationsZentrum Beton (IZB) provides essential insights into sustainable and energy-efficient building practices using concrete. It emphasizes how proper planning and material use can significantly reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency. The publication explains how concrete's thermal properties help regulate indoor climates and highlights the benefits of lightweight and infra-lightweight concretes. It also explores integrating thermally activated components with heating and cooling systems. Featuring best practice examples and innovative technologies, the brochure serves as both a guide and inspiration for sustainable construction using concrete. Elegant Curves and Sustainable Design in a Modern Villa Randers Tegl The modern villa designed by Hünerwadel Architects stands out with its unique rounded corners and curved rear façade, inspired by a…