EPFL_ENAC_LAPA

Laboratoire de la production d’architecture

Prof. Harry Gugger

methodology

INTRODUCTIONLaboratoire de la production d’architecture 1

TEACHING & RESEARCHResearch methodology 3

Teaching methodology 5

URBAN SCALE1. Semester 7

Essay 9

Trajectory 11

Case Studies 13

Urban Strategy 15

Urban Constitution 17

PROJECT SCALE2. Semester 19

Feasibility Study 21

Schematic Design 23

Design Development 25

Construction Documentation 27

Presentation Documentation 29

LAPA CHAIRCollaborators 31

Contacts 39

How to fi nd Lapa 41

CONTENTS

1

The Laboratoire de la production

d’architecture (Lapa) was founded in 2005

by Professor Harry Gugger as research

and design laboratory within the school

of architecture at the École polytechnique

fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzer-

land.

The name of the laboratory indicates this

is a lab devoted to the study and research

of creating architecture and a place

where architecture is produced. The

term ‘production’ underscores our view

of our built environment as an intellec-

tual, crafted, machine-made and artistic

product. When we speak of architecture

we imply the entire life cycle of a project:

from development, planning and con-

struction to the long term use and exist-

ence of the building. This all-inclusive

approach is also rendered by the word

‘production’ since it designates both the

creation of an intellectual commodity and

the manufacturing of the product.

INTRODUCTIONLABORATOIRE DE LA PRODUCTION D’ARCHITECTURE

Drawing of the Coucy Castle, Medieval Encyclopedy (from Violet-le-Duc)

3

RESEARCHMETHODOLOGY

Lapa is committed to the study and

research of architectural production. It

is the primary goal of Lapa to ensure the

architect’s continued role in the planning

and building process and to reinforce the

architect’s position as a central, integrat-

ing and coordinating force. Research

at Lapa therefore aims to improve the

understanding of the architectural proc-

ess, and to advance the “state of the art”

of implemented technology.

Infl uences that affect an architectural

project can be both general for the project

type or specifi c to the location or project

context. Lapa research is devoted to ad-

dressing, understanding, and mapping

the parameters that affect the success

of architectural projects, with the goal

of better controlling the architectural pro-

duction methodology. Following the meth-

odology of teaching, research addresses

issues of interdisciplinary collaboration,

environmental life cycle issues, and the

rationalization of production.

Questions of design are therefore com-

plemented by research into infl uential

project parameters such as: social, politi-

cal, and economic structures, legal and

code issues, contextual landscape and

environmental parameters, technological

systems of construction and fabrication,

and building maintenance and life cycle

issues. By modelling the relations and

impacts of these interdisciplinary infl u-

ences a more comprehensive view into

the overall process of the production can

be achieved.

Specifi c research is also being conducted

on the implementation of digital technolo-

gies within architectural production and

the fundamental concept of the digital

chain. The objective of this research is to

expand the architect‘s sphere of infl uence

through the logical and consistent ap-

plication of digital technology to the entire

architectural process. This work focuses

on new technologies such as generative

CAD and computer controlled fabrication

in order to rationalize and coordinate data

fl ow through the multitude of stages of an

architectural project.

The implementation of research into

architectural production is the “proof

of concept” for Lapa. As such research

includes the act of creating architecture,

both in the experimental context of the

university, and the professional context

of commercial projects. Information

acquired from built projects and interac-

tions with partnering industries allows for

conclusions to be drawn about the fabri-

cation processes, as well as the overall

life cycle of a project or building.

Through the research of the factors of

architectural production Lapa seeks to

fi nd the ideal environment and processes

to ensure the highest possible quality of

building.

CNC milling of landscape surface

5

TEACHINGMETHODOLOGY

The working methodology of Lapa merges

analytical research methodologies with

creative design, to develop an investi-

gative process for urban planning and

architecture. This procedural approach

promotes the interdisciplinary process of

architectural production and integrates

the research of our students into long-

term comparative investigation projects.

Each year Lapa chooses a location or site

as the basis for its teaching and research

project. Sites are selected based on a

signifi cant research interest related to

the issues of architectural production.

Each project brings together special-

ists and project partners to expand the

fi eld of research, assure the inclusion

of contextual factors, and incorporate

extended relevant issues that affect the

overall methodological approach and

the designed results. Every architectural

project is by nature interdisciplinary since

it involves people, the city, the landscape

and the environment.

The goal of teaching at Lapa is to show

that the role of the architect is not limited

to the planning and design of the building,

but rather that the architect is producer

and coordinator of the entire architectural

process. To achieve this Lapa teaching

emphasizes four fundamental beliefs:

• Architects must be capable of working

within the context of an interdisciplinary

process where cooperation with special-

ists and trades is a fundamental constitu-

ent of the architect’s working method.

• The basis of an architectural project is

the development of a “functional brief”

and the evaluation of its overall feasibility

within the project context.

• Architects must study and co-design

the digital technologies that are revolu-

tionizing design and fabrication process-

es. Digital data, generated in the design

processes, is a valuable commodity and

architects must learn to use this data

directly in the effi cient production of the

built product. Architects must develop

the potential of an unbroken digital chain

from concept to construction.

• Finally, architects must understand the

life cycle and impact of their work; that

the maintenance, operation and demoli-

tion/recycling of a building pose architec-

tural problems, which must already be

addressed in the conceptual phase of a

project.

In our fi rst year we applied this methodol-

ogy to the topic of the EPFL and University

of Lausanne campus. This project has

been enthusiastically received by the

EPFL president’s offi ce, and has been

presented formally as a future planning

proposal for the EPFL, the UniL, and the

surrounding communities. In our sec-

ond year Lapa has chosen to apply this

methodology in an examination of Havana,

Cuba. This change in “architectural

culture” allows us to asses and refi ne the

teaching methodology and to examine

“production” within a greater cultural

context.

Havana - Diez de Octubre, Lapa workshop 2007

7

URBAN SCALE1. SEMESTER

Lapa offers a year long course. During

the fi rst semester the students work

on an urban scale. This investigation is

structured in 5 assignments and results

what we call an “Urban Constitution”. This

“Urban Constitution” always consists of a

Constitution text and a Zoning Plan.

In the second semester the students work

on the scale of an architectural project.

Based on the “Urban Constitution” they

defi ne their own site and program for an

architectural project, which they then

develop in 5 phases to the scale of a 1:1

Mock-up. These projects act as “Proof of

Concept” testing the viability of the “Ur-

ban Constitution”. As part of the second

semester, Lapa conducts each year a two

day digital technology seminar.

The location for the large scale, urban

project is selected based on a signifi cant

research interest related to the issues of

architectural production in a broad sense.

Important part of Lapa’s methodological

approach is the transdisciplinary col-

laboration of architects and specialists

to expand the fi eld of research, assure

the inclusion of contextual factors, and

incorporate extended relevant issues that

affect the overall of the designed results.

Through this approach each student is

simultaneously participating in a “design

team” and in a “specialist consultant

group”. This methodological structure

refl ects the “orthogonal” organisation

of the ENAC faculty at the EPFL with its

institutes and its sections.

For this semester Lapa is collaborating

with a partner institution from the chosen

location. This collaboration culminates in

a two week workshop “on site”.

9

ESSAY, MY ...ASSIGNMENT 1

The goal of this assignment is to allow

each student to interpret the unfamiliar

situation and context of the semester in

their own highly personal and individual

way. The fi nal product and medium of the

work is open, but should be in some way

dynamic and “presentable”, so as to allow

for others to refl ect upon the work with-

out explanation. No presenter is allowed

to make any spoken comments on his

work during the presentation. The chosen

medium, content, and presentation are

therefore required to be self explana-

tory, while the personal message or story

should be precise and clear.

Essay, My Havana - Installation, Carmen Ebneter, 2006/07

11

TRAJECTORYASSIGNMENT 2

For this second assignment the class is

divided into groups of fi ve students. Each

group develops and conducts a “Trajec-

tory”; a “choreographed tour”. Each indi-

vidual in the group will be responsible for

(at minimum) one location within the tour.

The trajectory should have an underly-

ing theme, it may tell a story, it may have

events, it may be passive or interactive ,

but it should be discernible as a unifi ed

experience. Each Trajectory should be

unique but should relate to the overall

topic of the semester.

The design of a Trajectory should include

refl ection on environment, atmosphere,

acoustics, time and other conditions un-

der which the tour will take place.

The Trajectory should refl ect equally on

the progression through space, on desig-

nated stops in specifi c places of interest,

on the rhythm or the choreography as a

whole.

Trajectory, Havana - Diez de Octubre, 2006/07

13

CASE STUDIESASSIGNMENT 3

The third assignment is a case study

analysis of fi ve comparable examples of

the semester topic. The exemplary cases

have been chosen as a representative set

of different urban qualities and develop-

ment policies.

Each design group is assigned one case

study and is required to research, ana-

lyse, and document the conditions and

statistics relating to fi ve important plan-

ning themes. To do this effectively, each

member of a team is becoming a “special-

ist” of one of the analysis themes.

In order to enable a comparison a

standard data for all case study sites is

required. The group report is a compila-

tion of the 5 specialist topics, along with

standardized statistical and physical data,

and an overall analysis and set of conclu-

sions.

The conclusions for the case study should

clarify the advantages and problems and

identify special and unique features.

Cities over 1 million inhabitants, world urbanisation prospects, 2003

15

URBAN STRATEGYASSIGNMENT 4

The Urban Strategy is composed of many

constituent components, each addressing

specialized interests, yet also requiring

proper integration with the others to cre-

ate an intelligent tool for the evolution of

a plan. In this phase, participants resume

their role as “specialist” and develop

urban strategies for the project site.

Once the base data for the area has been

compiled the specialists work in consulta-

tion with their specialist group, to develop

a Urban Strategy for their topic, which will

be integrated into a comprehensive Urban

Constitution in the last assignment.

Urban Strategy, Havana - Diez de Octubre, Lapa workshop, 2007

17

URBAN CONSTITUTIONASSIGNMENT 5

The fi nal task for the semester is to amal-

gamate the work of the different special-

ists within a single design group project.

The resulting “Urban Constitution” is a

designed synthesis of the urban strate-

gies, combined to be fl exible and respon-

sive to future infl uences.

Within each constitution there should be

a statement of general goals and a thesis

for the development of the site. This

thesis should react to the most pertinent

statistical facts and group predictions for

a future development on the site. The goal

for this project is not to provide a typical

fi xed “master plan” for future building, but

to provide a logical set of guiding rules to

allow for an appropriate and consistent

response to the changing infl uences.

Therefor the Urban Constitution should

be a series of procedural rules that cor-

relate to the stated goals and thesis of the

group. The constitution should address

the perceived local needs in the short,

medium, and long term, and should be

represented as a schematic strategy that

integrates the multiple overlaying aspects

of planning with a fl exible methodology.

Diez de Octubre, Zoning Plan, Havana 2007

19

PROJECT SCALE2. SEMESTER

In the second semester the full planning

cycle of a real architectural project is

explored in order to test the limits of the

architects fi eld of infl uence. An abbrevi-

ated run through all planning phases

allows the students to experience the full

expanse of the architectural production

process.

During this semester the students have to

create a “proof of concept” by developing

a multi functional project on the basis of

the urban constitution developed during

the fi rst semester. Through their projects

the proposed urban constitution is tested

for its viability.

Possible extension of the architects infl uence on the production process

21

The fi rst phase of an architectural

project is to acknowledge a client brief,

and to conduct analysis to determine

the feasibility of a project. A Feasibility

Study should outline the current physi-

cal, infrastructural, and legal conditions

and restrictions of a site and develop a

“diagrammatic” approach to assessing

its compatibility with the program of the

client brief.

For this phase participants are required

to devise a project, chose a site within the

Zoning Plan developed in the fi rst semes-

ter, and prepare a Feasibility Study which

will guide the project.

Once the program and site has been

defi ned, the overall project proposal is

discussed to ensure it is “feasible” and

that the chosen site is available (only one

project per site).

FEASIBILITY STUDYPHASE 1

Feasibility Study, Aline Dubach & Salomé Gutscher, 2006

23

The Schematic Design transforms the di-

agrammatic descriptions of the Feasibility

Study into a functional, logical, thematic,

and aesthetic architectural “parti” – an

overall design concept.

In this phase the contextual issues of

site and connection are addressed, and

solutions for basic issues of structure,

materials, overall aesthetics, and volu-

metric relationships are explored. Most

importantly, the Schematic Design is the

point at which an identifi able architec-

tural expression – the overall character

- of the project is formulated. Each of

the students should take responsibil-

ity for at least one major design issue of

the project, which will assist with project

development and coordination.

The Schematic Design should address

larger issues of relationships both within

and outside the project boundaries. It

must take into account the surround-

ing context (including other proposed

projects), and deal with issues of bound-

ary, connection and content.

Strategies for the primary issues of

function, infrastructure, materiality

and construction should be devised. By

the conclusion of the Schematic Design

phase, there should be enough documen-

tation and detail from which the entire

project, both functionally and physically,

can be explained.

SCHEMATIC DESIGNPHASE 2

Ricardo Porro, Sketch for the School of Plastic Arts, Havana

25

In this phase the overall design is refi ned,

and details are designed which reinforce

the overall parti. This process fi nalizes

the design integration of larger issues

of structure, materiality, construction

system, and sub-systems.

The goal of this phase is to strengthen

the parti by completing and refi ning the

design at all scales, and to generate

expressive or appropriate details that will

guide the process of deciding on the tech-

niques and technologies to be employed

for fabrication and construction.

For this phase each student works inde-

pendently and develops details from their

identifi ed area of responsibility according

to the SD brief.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENTPHASE 3

School of Dramatic Arts, Havana

27

For this phase each team is required to

develop a series of construction docu-

ments for parts of their design. Each

group should develop key areas of their

design in the Construction Documenta-

tion using traditional (CAD) drawing. The

drawings should be the standards of

plan, section, elevation, or isometric - as

required for tender to a primary build-

ing contractor or for submission for part

drawings by a component supplier.

The second step of this phase is to devel-

op a different set of Construction Docu-

ments using alternative “digital CD con-

cepts”. Construction Documents in the

future will likely not be printed on paper.

The seminars and workshops will have

presented alternatives to the traditional

Construction Document paper plans – at

this point the teams are encouraged to

devise digitally formatted Construction

Documents which will enable the “digital

construction site” to evolve.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATIONPHASE 4

Construction site, Cuba, 2005

29

The fi nal phase is the fabrication of

“mock-ups” and “construction samples”.

This is done in order to get an accurate

sense of how the building will be built and

what its actual character will be at the 1:1

scale.

The fi nal task of the project is to compile

the documentation for the entire architec-

tural design project into a consolidation

brief. This document will describe the

entire project from feasibility study to the

fi nal design and construction process.

From this document, the team should

prepare a fi nal presentation of the project

which address two main issues:

1. The proposed architectural project: The

design, program, and implementation of

the architectural project within the exist-

ing social context in keeping within the

overall goals of the Urban Constitution.

2. The role of new technologies in the

architectural production process: The use

of new technologies in the act of making

innovative architecture and the role of

new technologies as an interface between

architecture and it’s users.

PRESENTATION DOCUMENTATIONPHASE 5

1:1 mock-up, “Ciudad de Flamengo”, ©herzogdemeuron

31

COLLABORATORS

Ralph Blättler was born in 1970 in

Menziken, Switzerland. After an ap-

prenticeship as a commercial employee

with the UBS in Sursee, Ralph studied

Architecture at the EPF Lausanne and

the Architectural Association School in

London. He completed his Diploma in

2000 with Prof. Pierre-Alain Rumley and

Prof. Mirko Zardini. He was collaborat-

ing with TOA Architects, Paris (2000-03)

and Weber Architects in Beinwil am See

(2003-06). Since 2006 he runs his own

fi rm in Lucerne.

Harry Gugger was a tool-maker’s appren-

tice from 1973 to 1977, before studying

machine engineering from 1977 to 1979.

From 1984 to 1989 he studied architecture

at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technlo-

ogy (ETH Zurich) with Flora Ruchat and at

Columbia University, New York with Tadao

Ando. He received his degree in architec-

ture at ETH Zurich in 1989. His collabora-

tion with Herzog & de Meuron began in

1990 when he was their assistant at the

summer school in Karlsruhe. In 1991 he

became a partner of the fi rm.

Among other projects Harry Gugger was

in charge of the following:

the two Signal Boxes (1991-1994 and 1998-

1999) and the Engine Depot (1991-1995)

for the Swiss Federal Railways in Basel;

followed by the Eberswalde Technical

School Library (1997-1999); Tate Modern

in London (1998-2000); and the Head

Offi ce for Prada USA in New York (2000-

2002). The Laban Dance Centre, London

(2000-2003), which has been awarded the

RIBA Stirling Prize 2003; and the Schaul-

ager Basel (2000-2003).

Harry Gugger was visiting professor at

the Hochschule für Architektur und Bau-

wesen in Weimar in 1994 and taught at

ETH in Lausanne in 2001. Since May 2005

he is professor at EPFL/ ENAC - School

of Architecture, Civil and Environmental

Engineering in Lausanne.

HARRY GUGGER Professor

RALPH BLÄTTLERTeaching assistant

32 33

SIMON CHESSEX Teaching assistant

Simon Chessex was born in 1975 in

Lausanne. He studied architecture at

the EPF Lausanne and the ETH Zurich.

Simon completed his Diploma in 2001.

Before starting his own fi rm he was

collaborating with Tod Williams Billie

Tsien Associates in New York (1997/98),

with Devanthéry & Lamunière in Geneva

(2001/02) and with Herzog & de Meuron

in Basel (2002/04). Since 2005, he runs

his own fi rm lacroix | chessex in Geneva,

Switzerland.

SIMON FROMMENWILER Teaching assistant

Simon Frommenwiler was born 1972 in

London. He studied architecture at the

ETH Zurich and graduated in 2000 with

Prof. Hans Kollfhoff.

During his studies he was a faculty

member with Prof. Andrea Deplazes.

Before starting his own offi ce he was

collaborating with Bearth & Deplazes,

(Chur, Switzerland), ARchos Architecture

(Basel, Switzerland) and Skidmore Ow-

ings & Merrill (New York, USA). For the

WTC-Competition he was a team member

in the Team of SOM-Sejima-Neutelings-

Maltzan, (New York, USA). Since 2003 he

is a partner of HHF architects in Basel,

Switzerland.

RUSSELL LOVERIDGE Research assistant

Russell Loveridge, Canada, 1969. Having

completed studies in civil engineering

and his Bachelors of Architecture at the

University of Toronto, Russell came to

Switzerland in 2000 specialize in Compu-

ter Aided Architectural at the ETH Zurich.

For the last fi ve years Russell has been

responsible there for courses and re-

search in CAAD & Computer Aided Manu-

facturing in architectural design. Russell

is an architect with practical experience

in both design offi ces and construction,

and has also been a research associate

and consultant for the Canadian govern-

ment, and for laboratories and architects

in Toronto, Zurich, and now Lausanne.

Within lapa Russell will be conducting

doctoral research on the topic of digital

design and fabrication, the “digital chain”,

in architectural production.

HENRIETTE SPOERL Research assistant

Henriette Spoerl was born 1973 in GDR

and studied architecture at the Bauhaus

University Weimar until 2000.

From 2000-2003 she was teaching at

the Chair for Residential Design of Prof.

Walter Stamm-Teske at the Bauhaus-Uni-

versity. During this period Henriette was

responsible for binational projects with

students from the Bauhaus University and

the Architecture Faculty at the Technical

University in Havana.

In parallel to the teaching Henriette

Spoerl collaborated with AFF-Architekten

Weimar on residential projects for «neues

bauen am horn » Weimar and the Expo

2000 Urban Development . From 2003

until 2005 she was working with

Herzog & de Meuron in London and

Basel.

35

LAPA CHAIRCONTACTS

Laboratoire de la production d`architecture

EPFL ENAC IA LAPA

Bâtiment GC H2 614

Station 18

CH-1015 Lausanne

http://lapa.epfl .ch

lapa@epfl .ch

Tel +41 21 693 1482

Fax +41 21 693 6260

Harry GuggerProfessor

Partner of the architects fi rm Herzog & de Meuron

harry.gugger@epfl .ch

+41 21 693 3214

Ralph BlättlerArchitect and teaching assistant

ralph.blaettler@epfl .ch

+41 79 218 8110

Simon Chessex

Architect and teaching assistant

s.chessex@lacroixchessex.ch

+41 78 666 9029

Simon FrommenwilerArchitect and teaching assistant

frommenwiler@hhf.ch

+41 76 321 1409

Russell Loverdige

Technology expert, doctorand and research assistant

russell.loveridge@epfl .ch

+41 21 693 1483

Henriette SpoerlArchitect and research assistant

henriette.spoerl@epfl .ch

+41 21 693 1482

To reach the LAPA Offi ce and the Atelier:

take entry GC from main passerelle on level 2

HOW TO FIND LAPA?EPFL MAP

LAPA Offi ceGC H2 614

Building GC, Zone H, Level 2, Offi ce 614adjacent to Hall G

LAPA StudioGC F1 10Building GC, Zone F, Level 1, Room 10adjacent to Hall F