The Design Studio Versatile Spaces of the Vienna University of Technology (TU) proudly presents the ve.sh pavilion, an architectural space that embodies sustainability, ecology and visions for our future. This innovative project was developed by architecture students at TU Wien as part of the “Versatile Spaces” course. In collaboration with the ‘Excite 22’ research project, the ve.sh pavilion unites the fields of architecture, structural engineering and urbanism at TU Wien in order to address current and future design challenges in an interdisciplinary social context.
07_Rendering of the ve.sh pavilion in front of the TU main building on Karlsplatz, (c) Design Studio Versatile Spaces 2023, TU Vienna, HB2&ITI
The spatial design is based on a series of architectural guiding principles that deal with the current and future challenges of architecture. A particular focus here is on the in-depth examination of geometric and constructive principles. The project addresses current discourses and areas of tension in architecture and spatial planning, such as temporary locations in public spaces, generous use of space, conservation of resources and constructive finesse and attention to detail.
The ve.sh pavilion builds on the work of the last three semesters. The aim of the “Versatile Spaces” designs was to experimentally develop spatial structures in public spaces with different spatial and utilisation configurations and to bring them into a realisable building form. In the 2023 summer semester, it was decided to build a pavilion using recycled building materials. In cooperation with Materialnomaden, louvre blinds from the demolition of the former OMV building in Vienna were used. The reuse of the slats not only creates a sustainable design solution, but also fulfils the requirements for resource-saving construction.
Venetian blind slats from the demolition of the former OMV building in Vienna, (c) Design Studio Versatile Spaces 2023, TU Vienna, HB2&ITI
Based on all these aspects, the controversial name of our pavilion was born: Ve.sh, for ‘Versatile Trash Pavilion’.
The repetitive element, the so-called “patch”, forms the basic building block of the pavilion. The intelligent rearrangement of the patches creates numerous design options thanks to a special surface curvature. Three configurations were developed from this, which will be presented as part of the accompanying programme of events: “the passage”, “the stage” and “the room”.
The ve.sh pavilion will be set up and used by the students from 21 to 30 June on Karlsplatz in front of TU Wien. In keeping with the theme of the future and the use of resources in construction, the team is organising a series of events, including the “5 to 12 Lunch Dialogues”, in which students discuss the future with selected experts, a workshop with Viennese primary school children and a reflection on their working methods in public spaces.
Construction of the pavilion in the Materialnomaden workshop before it is transported to Karlsplatz, (c) Design Studio Versatile Spaces 2023, TU Wien, HB2&ITI
We are looking forward to Werner Sobek (Werner Sobek) , Katja Schechtner (Katja Schechtner), Bazon Brock, die Materialnomaden (materialnomaden gmbh), ig- Architektur, Janina Gloria and more …
E LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!
The VERSATILE SPACES design studio is a course at the Vienna University of Technology (TU) that focuses on innovative architectural concepts and multidisciplinary approaches. The studio promotes co-operation between the fields of architecture, structural engineering and urbanism and offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in practice-oriented project work.
Design studio VERSATILE SPACES, SS2023
A project by architecture students at TU Wien, Research Department of Structural Engineering and Design HB2 and Research Department of Structural Design and Timber Engineering – funded as part of the EXITE programme of the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, in cooperation with Materialnomaden, IG-Architektur and Karlsplatz.org
Lecturer: Dr Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger (Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger), Prof. DI Peter Bauer (Werkraum Ingenieure ZT-GmbH), DI Marilies Wedl
Students: Raphael Auffarth, Yoan Avramov, Peter Babos, Antonia Behr, Sara Borjanovic, Dan Pavel Bucur, Emily Marlena Fuchs, Elsa Gjinaj, Vanessa Jäger, Eralba Jonuzi, Gergely Juhasz, Marija Klisanin, Anja Krnetic, Krystina Masilevich, Johannes Matthes, Ekaterina Mihaylova, Uros Miletic, Cathal O’Brien, Dylan Reilly, Rok Zidar
Excite 22 Team: Dr. Ing. DI Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger, Burcu Ates, Predrag Milic, Laura Sobral, DI Marilies Wedl
Program: 21.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Urban Scientist with Katja Schechtner
21.06. 18h00 Get to know VE.SH // Meet the VE.SH team at the pavilion’s offcial opening
22.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Thesen zum Umbau with IG Architektur
23.06. 09h00 Geometry Workshop with the Volksschule Braunhubergasse
24.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Poetry Slam with Janina Gloria
25.06. all day Transformation
26.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Materialnomaden with Peter Kneidinger
27.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Emerging Fields and Urban Co-Production with the Excite Team
28.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Action Teaching with Bazon Brock
29.06. 5min to 12 Lunch Dialogues // Sustainable Engineering with Werner Sobek
29.06. 18h00 finissage // closing event for the ve.sh pavilion
