WINTER SEMESTER 23/24

This semester, we want to work with you to create spaces that, in the truest sense of the word, lift us out of our everyday lives. Specifically, we will design sleeping and resting areas in the trees of the forest surrounding the Gomde Center in Scharnstein (Austria), offering people seeking tranquility the opportunity to gain new experiences in the midst of nature, to reflect inwardly, and to revitalize their spirits.

At a time when mental strain is rapidly increasing, this is becoming an increasingly important aspect, even in architecture. Under the title “REgenerative Spaces,” we will explore this topic in depth this year.

Nature has always been a source of regeneration and inspiration for humans, and so we declare the trees to be our building site.

Instructors: Marie-Therese Harnoncourt-Fuchs, Harun Faizi
Tutors: B.Sc. Sunijia Wang, Reham Alhadidi

EuG, together with the Technical University of Innsbruck (AT) and UCL Bartlett (London, UK), has been invited as part of the 2024 Capital of Culture in Bad Ischl (AT) to design and build experimental wooden meditation pavilions for the Gomde Buddhist Center in Scharnstein. Each studio may design and build up to two pavilions.

The project is scheduled to span two semesters. During the winter semester of 23/24, students will develop innovative concepts and prototypes, one or two of which will be implemented in the following summer semester. In addition to exploring the project’s content, another focus is on the use of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality tools (VR/AR/MR systems) in design and fabrication methods, as well as sustainable aspects of construction (materials, fabrication, carbon footprint, etc.). The studio will be accompanied by one seminar and one field trip in both the winter and summer semesters. In the seminars, we will focus on learning and experimenting with virtual, augmented, and mixed reality tools in design and implementation. During the field trip week—one in the winter semester and one in the summer semester—we will work on the projects on-site together with students from other universities and, among other things, immerse ourselves in the world of Buddhism (optional). Upon completion (tentatively June 2024), the pavilions will be officially opened as part of the 2024 Capital of Culture celebrations. We believe this is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for everyone involved to create something unique and valuable for a special community in a beautiful, natural setting—and to get to know students from other universities.

2-semester project

Instructors: Marie-Therese Harnoncourt-Fuchs, Sarah Blahut