THE TIETGEN RESIDENCE HALL - Precedent Study

N E T D S E T C U E D R O D R MI Y P GEN

TIE

T

Y OR

T

O N I

BY DENISE DIV

N

E S D C T R C IPT E J I This precedent is a O O R P student housing project designed

by Lundgaard and Tranberg Architects in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2005.

It provides housing for 400 students who attend the nearby university.

Its concept revolves around a simple circular form.

It is a urban response to the surrounding environment, and it serves as a bold architectural statement in the newly developed area surrounding the building.

The circular shape of the structure serves as a symbol of equality and the community.

THE INTENTIONS OF THE ARCHITECTS (The architecture | Tietgenkollegiet, 2021)

The architects from Lundgaard & Tranberg describe themselves that their intentions were:

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

• to create a building that is harmoniously integrated in the current and coming building and landscape structure and at the same time with a clear independent identity; • that the building provides a clear, cohesive shape as a symbol of the principal community idea of the residence hall; • to ensure optimum transparency and accessibility everywhere in the residence hall; • to achieve uniform, equal conditions for all residences and residence groups in the overall unity (a “democratic” residence hall building); • to manifest the residence hall vis-à-vis the surroundings with an easily recognisable, significant architectural expression; • to emphasise significant lines of vision from the residence hall towards the surrounding cityscape as well as ensuring spacious passages across the landscape between the two channels; • to achieve a building shape that is simple and rational in a constructive/constructional point of view but at the same time flexible

Critical Assessment Why was this project chosen?

This project was selected because it relates to the proposed Capstone project, a planned student housing project. It exemplifies how to maximise the area while still retaining to provide individual work and living areas. According to the conducted survey most students prefer to live in their own unit, it would be beneficial for the proposed project to study and analyze a successful and functional housing design that houses separate units like this one. Furthermore, the geometry of both structures is distinct and significant. Due to their similarities and contrasts, they form an effective and useful precedent study.

Areas of Significance Tietgenkollegiet is a seven-story building with 360 rooms, which are organised in blocks of twelve. Each room is located on the outside of the circle and offers a panoramic view of the canal and the surrounding area from its window. The communal rooms, lounges, and kitchens are arranged around the courtyard in the centre of the building. Because of the circular form, the building conveys a feeling of equality and togetherness, while the rooms’ distinctive alternating projecting windows and terraces offer a diverse variety of living options.

(Tietgenkollegiet | | Alluring World, 2016)

Unique aspects The exterior is constructed of a one-of-a-kind copper alloy, and it has sliding walls that are modelled by traditional Hakka house architecture from southern China. The alloy keeps the building surface clean and protected, and it will age to a deep dark tone over time, reducing the likelihood of future repair requirements. Interwoven throughout the metal wall are American wood and glass partitions, which combine to create an attractive and dynamic façade that also promotes the flow of fresh air and sunshine into the building.

(Lundgaard and Tranberg Tietgenkollegiet, 2015)

CIRCULAR CONCEPT The residence hall was designed by the firm Lundgaard & Tranberg, and its main concept is a circular building with seven storeys that houses all of the residence hall’s facilities while encircling a large, planted courtyard in the centre.

The cylindrical geometry is transacted by five vertical lines that visually and functionally divide the structure into sections, with each line representing a section of the structure.

Access to the central courtyard is provided by open passages from the outside.

Site Context The other buildings that surround the dormintory are further away, giving the structure plenty of breathing room. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the geometry of the cylindrical building and rectangular shape buildings makes it a focal point of the neighbourhood.

LIVING ALONG THE CHANNELS & CLOSE TO BOTH CITY AND NATURE The canals around the resident hall are a natural gathering spot for students from nearby institutions. In the winter, they are ideal for ice hockey or skating. Tietgenkollegiet is near to Islands Brygge, which has a harbour bath and numerous restaurants. The neighbouring metro stations make getting to and from the city extremely simple. For a rest or a run in the fresh air, the protected green belt Amager Fælled is nearby.

Addressing Entry The pencil diagram of the structure clearly defines the overall vertical and horizontal rhythm of the facade with a series of vertical and horizontal lines that are regularly spaced on the facade. It is through the use of shaded planes that we can see the staggered rhythm of the window placements while also emphasising the building’s central entry point.

(Gallery of Tietgen Dormitory / Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects - 9, 2020)

Clarifying Public/private Using the structure’s diagram, it is easy to see how the overall form is divided into three parts: public, private, and circulation paths. Private zones are represented by darker areas, with lighter zones denoting more public zones. The primary circulation, which serves as a dividing line between the public and private areas, is distinguished by the white lines.

PRIVATE SPACES PUBLIC SPACES CIRCULATION

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

Passing through Buildings The diagram shows how the concept of openness can be carried through the building’s passages.

The architects wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere by placing entrance points throughout the structure, and when the pathways converge towards the centre point, it denotes the idea of coming together and having that feeling of belonging, which was somthing they wanted to convey.

PRIVATE SPACES COURTYARD INTERIOR CIRCULATION EXTERIOR CIRCULATION

Classifying Type: The Courtyard The diagram depicts a typical courtyard building that is both compact and well-ventilated and illuminated in the centre, with access to the centre provided by both horizontal and vertical circulation.

The rooms in the immediate vicinity are modular, and the internal courtyard is a clearly distinguishable and unified external form. The diagram, which was drawn in pencil with tones to indicate interior and exterior circulation and programme distribution, demonstrates how the courtyard type has a significant amount of environmental impact on the interiors by bringing in an abundance of natural light and air.

COURTYARD PATHWAYS INTERIOR CIRCULATION

Expanding Atria “As a focal point, an atrium can link a building’s levels into a common center, coordinate circulation or act as a landmark for the users. More than simple extrusions from ground to sky. “ (Drawn to Design, 2013). The diagrams of the open central atrium that serves all floor levels demonstrate how its complicated volume connects the numerous rooms that surrounds it. The atrium serves as a volumetric datum, allowing views over and beyond.

Articulating Paths & Rooms In the diagrams, the section through the courtyard illustrates the paths that cross the courtyard perpendicularly. While each room and pathway has its own connection that goes through and through the rooms. Each floor voids penetrate and link the exterior views with the interior courtyard. There is a sense of continuity with each paths and rooms. The diagram uses minimal lines to communicate the consistent view of corridors and paths.

Sensing Scale The diagram illustrates the significant difference in scale between the height within the interior and the scale of the outdoor space. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of being outside and the impact of nature, as evidenced by this study.

Organizing Geometry On this diagram, it is demonstrated how the cylindrical shape of the structure is achieved by organising a series of rectangular geometries in a circular fashion.

(Gallery of Tietgen Dormitory / Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects - 9, 2020)

Cantilever Detail The cantilevered common sections (45 in total) prompted an innovative construction method. The contractor used the bridge construction procedure to create two-story, horizontally prestressed and precast wall elements (250 mm reinforced concrete) with notches. Each piece fit into the one before it and was held in place by a high-tensile steel cable.

Sheltering within a Room “Like engaging with windows or finding rooms within rooms, there are moments when elements in a building such as desks, bookcases, balustrades or stairs become intermedi-ary dwelling places by accident or design. In these places, the elements become places that act in their original intention yet provide a secondary meaning or place.” (Drawn to Design, 2013). The storage space serves as a barrier between the sleeping area and the study area in this scenario. Additionally, because of its moveable feature, it is capable of forming geometries in an open space such as this one.

(Gallery of Tietgen Dormitory / Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects - 9, 2020)

Framing Views The fenestrations from floor to celling in these diagrams depict the connection of interior spaces to the site and the surrounding environment. Visual alignments with specific landmarks have been demonstrated, and vistas have been framed by windows and doorframes. As a result, the interior space appears to be more expansive.

(This is how we live | Tietgenkollegiet, 2021)

Changing Materials Inside, exposed concrete and magnesium flooring make big areas very durable and simple to maintain, while environmentally friendly birch plywood partition panels divide smaller rooms into more manageable sections. The wood texture creates a friendly environment, while the concrete surface makes it very easy to clean the area.

Concrete

Eco-friendly birch plywood

Magnesium

(m i l i m e t d e s i g n, 2021)

Citations Hill, J. (2007, February 26). Tietgen Residence Hall. Blogspot.com; Blogger. https://archidose. blogspot.com/2007/02/tietgen-residence-hall.html Lomholt, I. (2008, July 7). Tietgenkollegiet: Student Housing Amager - e-architect. E-Architect. https:// www.e-architect.com/copenhagen/lundgaard-tranberg-housing Lundgaard and Tranberg Tietgenkollegiet. (2012). Inhabitat.com. https://inhabitat.com/lundgaardand-tranbergs-tietgenkollegiet-dorm-is-the-coolest-circular-housing-on-campus/lundgaard-andtranberg-tietgenkollegiet-3/ The architecture | Tietgenkollegiet. (2021). Tietgenkollegiet.dk. http://tietgenkollegiet.dk/en/thebuilding/the-architecture/ This is how we live | Tietgenkollegiet. (2021). Tietgenkollegiet.dk. http://tietgenkollegiet.dk/en/livingat-tietgenkollegiet/this-is-how-we-live/ Tietgen Dormitory / Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects. (2014, February 7). ArchDaily. https://www. archdaily.com/474237/tietgen-dormitory-lundgaard-and-tranberg-architects Katrin. (2020, May 21). The Tietgen dormitory - Housing Foundation. Housingfoundation.dk. https:// housingfoundation.dk/the-tietgen-dormitory/ Tietgenkollegiet | | Alluring World. (2016, April 13). Alluring World. http://www.alluringworld.com/ tietgenkollegiet/ ‌