Studio Mumbai

the EPFL is just a short metro ride away from home, and luckily they host one of the larger architecture programs in switzerland, behind ETH in Zurich of course. perhaps they are the largest in Romandie (french speaking part of switzerland.)  almost one month ago i attended a lecture there. it reminded me of being back at the u of m with students packed into the back of the lecture hall and many of them sneaking out early to get at the free wine and treats downstairs. it was their first week back at school- lets just say i was feeling very good that it wasn't me!

Palmyra House [Helene Binet]

i knew the lecture would be in english when i read the bio: "... architect Bijoy Jain studied and worked in the U.S. and Europe before returning to his native India to open Studio Mumbai..."

Palmyra House [Helene Binet]

being a "process" gal, his lecture was very inspiring. Studio Mumbai has developed a process of design-build that creates a true architecture of place. the studio employs many local craftsmen as an integral part of the design process, creating meaningful spaces that take advantage of traditional crafts that leave minimal traces on the earth- hand labor is favored over large machinery. in a way, it is a return to traditional methods but also creating something new and unique... "a rediscovery of their tradition"  rather than creating copies of western architecture that are truly place-less.

in addition to the lecture, Studio Mumbai has many objects from their studio on display in the work-place gallery at epfl. that night was the opening and it was amazing to view many working models, full scale prototypes, material samples and tools. this room made me want to get my hands dirty!

in searching for some video clips of the studio's work i ran across a 'related video' about Teronobu Fujimori, a japanese architect who has a similar working process using traditional japanese methods of craft.

this plaster replication of an "in-between space"from a mumbai neighborhood was constructed for the venice biennial. a beautiful representation of how magical these tiny neighborhood spaces can be. in one part you are actually walking through someone's living room...

space station: lausanne.

a return trip to EPFL (ecole polytechnique federale de lausanne) and some more wandering made me wonder: technical university or space station??

my first SANAA.

As life is catching up with me I’ve slowed down on the blogging a bit. I’ve been busier (which is great) and have taken some time to explore some parts of the city. Luckily there are a few willing friends who have made great company on the excursions.

My first excursion was to see the Rolex Learning Center (library and student center) at the EPFL campus by Japanese architects SANAA. Friend, Nora, (also an architect) and I walked the 6km along the lake to the campus.

students walking into the building under a large concrete span.

next time we'll find a place to relax and read

and our favorite is the map of the building... so cute!

We not only saw the building, but scrounged in the library to find some names of local Swiss architects. We were hoping to find more, but unfortunately there are not many publications of architecture in the French part of Switzerland, and of course so much information on the German part. It just means that we’ll have to dig a bit more.

It was great to see such a large architecture selection in the bookshop- even saw some familiar books! (Also saw Tom Fisher’s newest book in the library.)

architecture books! i was in heaven!

Transmaterial!

It was a great day, so good to have a friend who not just appreciates architecture, but has worked as an architect in Switzerland before!