Rolex Learning Center Case Study

Location: Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland

Architect: SANAA

Build time: 2010

Functionality: Public Library

Occupied area: 88,000 square meters

Land area: 20,200 square meters

Total building area: 37,000 square meters

Size: 166.5m×121.5m

The study found that the building has many functions, but the interior space does not have clear indications to distinguish the different functional areas

At the same time, the shape of the building is a unique curved structure, even the floor is curved. I conjecture that the topography of the building can somewhat subconsciously guide people to the respective programs.

Topographic Study

Topographic Study

The analysis uses color to superimpose topography on the interior features of the building to compare the relationship between topography and furniture

Sound Study

The second finding is that the interior of the building divides its functions into two general components, the study area in the north, such as the library and study rooms, and the open area in the south, such as the café restaurant and the multi-purpose lecture hall. As a result, I came up with a hypothesis that the northern study area and the southern open area would form different amounts of sound, so I sought to create possible sound diagrams by representing the two by cold and warm colors.

A comparative study of how sound and topography interact with each other by layering two analytical charts

The discovery of undulating terrain and architectural programs

The building does not use distinct boundaries to separate functions; what the architects have tried to create is a purposeless process where people walk around freely and move naturally from one space to another. If one had to find the point where the building separates functions, it would be the sloping interior topography that could be used to distinguish spaces, but this division is very inconspicuous.

Consequently, I envisioned two schemes. Since the roof and the ground of the building are the same, I changed the roof of the building thus affecting the sound transmission.

In the first option, I lowered the ceiling on the side of the multi-purpose lecture hall to prevent the sound from the open area from reaching the rest area on the side.

In the second solution, I transformed the roof of the open area into a curved shape to further converge the sound, thus better guiding the visitors inside the building through the sound.W

Structural Matrices

Compound Forms

Sequential Experience

Pavilion 1

A column + wraparound surface

Displayed work: Leda and the Swan, Cy Twombly, 1962, Oil paint, lead pencil, wax crayon on canvas, 75*78.75 in.

Customizing Pavilion: By studying three of Cy Twombly's artworks, I tried to integrate his artwork with architecture. Adding abstract ideas by means of parameterization and random folding, as well as rigorous structures, indicates the thoughtfulness and sense of boundaries behind his complex works.

Pavilion 2 columns+ wraparound surface+artwork placement wall

Displayed work: Analysis of the Rose as Sentimental Despair,Cy Twombly, 1985, Oil, acrylic, and crayon on canvas stapled to plywood; acrylic, and crayon on plywood. 96.625*63.1875 in.

Consists of two separate rooms.

The first room houses the sculptural installation as a 3D form of the painting. The concept of fusing art and architecture

Pavilion 3

Interior house structure + curved roof + sculpture installation

Displayed work: Untitled (Say goodbye, Catullus, to the Shores of Asia minor), w, 1994, Oil,acrylic, oil stick, crayon, and graphite on three canvases. 157.5*624 in.