E2A Eckert Eckert Architekten | Auditorium and Library, “Obstgarten” School Campus

Fuente: E2A Eckert Eckert Architekten

Fotografía: Rasmus Norlander, Radek Brunecky, Hagen Stier

Imágen Radek Brunecky

The school facility “Obstgarten” (Fruit Orchard) is a typical ensemble from the 1970s and consists of raw concrete cubes that are integrated into the outside space on different levels. While the classroom tracts are to be renovated, and their interiors re-organised and partially supplemented, the environment is to be transformed into a lyrical antipole by means of hard and rough looking buildings.

The new auditorium replaces the former music hall and houses a large auditorium (600 seats) and the public library. It forms the core of the school campus Obstgarten (Fruit Orchard). Considering the size and the structural weight of the program, the music hall's base was no longer capable of bearing loads from the top to the underground separation walls. The core of the existing ensemble ‑ which consisted of an auditorium, library, classrooms and auxiliary rooms ‑ was dismantled to the foundation and a new building was set on top which housed the municipal library, a catering kitchen and a large auditorium

E2A Eckert Eckert Architekten | Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Fuente: E2A Eckert Eckert Architekten

Fotografía: Jan Bitter, Berlin



The Heinrich Böll Foundation is closely linked to the political party Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and is committed to promoting democratic decision-making, socio-political engagement, and international understanding around the globe. The Foundation headquarters are centrally located on an undeveloped site in the district of Berlin-Mitte, close to the government buildings in the centre of Berlin. The building is in a park, surrounded by trees, however it is located at the edge of the park and has a small footprint.

In this way, the largest possible area of open space can be preserved. The design concept is both radical and pragmatic: based on a limited budget, it clearly prioritizes how much money should be spent in which areas. While the office storeys are stacked on top of one another, organised efficiently and the structural framework has been left exposed, the spacious conference rooms that can be divided as desired have been combined to create an impressive bel étage.

E2A Eckert Eckert Architects | 'Bodies and Layers'

Fuente: E2A, Architekturforum Aedes

Bodies and layers
these terms single out two fundamental design strategies employed by the architectural practice, founded in Zürich in 2001. Referred to is not simply the material interpretation of a concrete context within which a building emerges, but instead and in particular the principles through which they are endowed with form – principles that are capable of coming to terms with criteria of aesthetics and construction as well as with the forms of resistance which are encountered within the architectural discipline.

e2a | Erlenbach House

Fuente: e2a



Set on a small site, this home maximizes living space layering three distinct typologies -each eith its own horizon- under one roof. The base holds the children's and guest bedrooms and looks directly to the surrounding garden. In the next level, the glass house, one finds the living and public spaces of the kitchen, dining room, and the outdoor terrace. From here, the eye is drawn to the expansive view of the lake and surrounding slopes. In the upper-most level, one finds the master bedroom, office, and master bathroom. From this level, overhead windows draw the view towards the sky above.

e2a | Monograph e2a Architecture

por Cristina Gonzalo Nogués. Zurich

Fuente: Hatje Cantz

This book presents the first comprehensive monograph on the Swiss architects E2A. Brothers Piet and Wim Eckert consider their work an interpretation of contemporary living conditions. In today’s context, expectations, experiences, and ambitions characterize places and dynamically collide with reality. The disparate becomes the program of the discipline of architecture which, in their work, becomes a persistent journey of discovery that explores and exposes associations and relationships. Here, one experiences a fine line between dream and reality which could be described as a systematic incoherence. Thus, rather than designing the perfect machine for an idealized image of society, E2A integrates varied and diametrical terms and conditions that were once mutually exclusive. Projects, ideas, essays, and notes supplement built projects and record positions, assessments, and ongoing questions. It is in this way that we become accomplices in the intense debate about the city and architecture.

Announcement

Europaalle, Zurich

por Cristina Gonzalo. Zurich

Uno de los proyectos a nivel urbanístico más interesantes que se están realizando en Zurich en este momento es Europaalle. Se trata de una superficie de 78.000 metros cuadrados, perteneciente a la compañía de ferrocarriles suiza SBB y situada a lo largo de las vías de tren, entre la estación central  y la frecuentada calle de Langstrasse. Un lugar realmente estratégico en el desarrollo de la ciudad por su centralidad y conectividad.  Europaallee supone un reto en la recuperación de uno de los múltiples ejemplos de cicatrices dejados en las ciudades europeas por las explanadas de la vías del tren. 

E2A | Apartment Building Escher-Terrassen

Gran proyecto de viviendas de e2a, un interesantísimo despacho suizo. El proyecto se basa en la reutilización de un antiguo edificio industrial de la zona Oeste de Zurich como base de un complejo sistema de agregación de viviendas. Resulta muy interesante ver como las plantas y secciones van respondiendo de forma distinta a los gestos volumétricos de la totalidad de la propuesta. El proyecto refleja un enorme esfuerzo y trabajo en el sistema de agregación, consiguiendo una gran riqueza de tipologías.