Going beyond the traditional notion of functionally determined typologies, the atelier is concerned more broadly with the principles of architectural design typologies.
Our interest in what makes architectural objects distinctive is founded on a knowledge of typological models and references. The critical examination of planned and built architecture enriches our specific knowledge and helps us develop a sense of the meaning, purpose and quality of architecture.
While functions change over time, architecture remains. Our teaching examines the aspects that determine the use, morphology and spatial articulation of buildings. The history and transformation of these aspects serves as an analytical basis for the design of new buildings as well as the re-use and conversion of existing buildings. Likewise, urban settlements serve as a laboratory of architectural ideas, which we develop further using the technical means and spatial concepts of our time.
Design work at the laboratory encompasses the detailed and concentrated study of spatial structures at all levels of the design, from the embedding of the building within an existing urban constellation, to the development of specific ideas for the articulation of the interiors.
Joint project work in the atelier space is a fundamental part of developing a culture of continual stimulating exchange. Intensive collaboration ensures the ongoing discussion of different design approaches and helps students develop their ideas further.
As a part of applied research the 1:1 projects are not only a vehicle to school creativity and elaborate spatial ideas, but also require one to formulate the problem at hand and develop solutions based on actual knowledge.
Study trips present an opportunity to experience, analyse and discuss first-hand the relationship between idea, plan and reality.
TEAM
Anja Fröhlich (1970, Berlin) graduated in Architecture at the Bauhaus-University, Weimar and at the University of Technology, Graz. She was a research assistant at the Institute of building morphology at the Bauhaus-University and completed her doctorate on the subject of „Typological Studies on the Phenomenon of the Growing House“. Her practical activity as an architect is extended through her work for AFF Architects, Berlin.
Martin Fröhlich (1968, Magdeburg) graduated in Architecture at the Bauhaus-University, Weimar. In 1999 he created the architectural office AFF Architects Berlin together with Sven Fröhlich. He was a teacher at the Bauhaus-University and has been a visiting professor at the University of the Arts in Berlin (UDK). Since 2012 he teaches together with Anja Fröhlich at the EPF Lausanne.
Tiago P. Borges (1983) is an based in Lausanne. He graduated from the Dep. of Architecture of the University of Coimbra and also studied at the EPF Lausanne. He was teaching assistant at the design studio of Lacaton & Vassal and studio S.Bender Ph.Béboux. He’s a contributor writer on architecture and he was distinguished with the emerging critic award “Erstling” by the swiss magazine Werk, Bauen und Wohnen. Co-curator of the exhibition Still a matter of art – young swiss architecture.
Lara Monti (*) Teaching assistant.
Luciano Antonietti (*) Teaching assistant.
Clemens Waldhart (*) Teaching assistant.
Former Collaborators:
Antje Bittorf, Melanie Althaus, Sophie Shiraishi, Maxence Derlet, Giulia Altarelli, Sebastien F. Lippok, Yannick Claessens, Maria Sivers, Vanessa Pointet