TATLIN NEWS #38

Besides, the expansion project makes maximum use of concepts applied by the authors to the first building. Difference of surface levels in the park makes small scattered blocks seem to be art objects, and they do not compete with sculptures but set them and the surrounding landscape off advantageously. Mixing architecture with landscape the architect closely approaches the eastern understanding of architecture, since the parts connected with a passage are both picturesquely built into the landscape, and, being built along a curve, actually recreate the landscape. Translucent blocks allowing the exposition to be maximally open into the environment and letting one see through them, transform the whole area of the museum, including the park, into an object perceived by the viewer. The issue of most importance for Hall is particularly the aspect of empiric experience. The viewer has new visual impressions from contextual perception of the enfilades of buildings and because of one volume falling out into several similar volumes forming new angles of vision. The architectural dynamics of the new construction is in contradiction with the static character of the main building, transparency contradicts opacity, lightness contradicts weight and solidity. Hall’s project was immediately given several names, “lenses” among others, because the multilayer glass and computer- controlled screens gather and refract sunrays, directing them into the inner gallery space at daytime, and letting out splashes of artificial light outside at night. When the darkness falls, the details radiating light turn into life centers and form the pattern of events. EGERAAT’S PYRAMID object Metzo College Doetinchem design started 2002 Construction completed 2007 total area 16400 m 2 customer Stichting CoVoa, Doetinchem architects (EEA) Erick van Egeraat associated architects, Rotterdam contractor Schutte Bouwbedrijf, Zwolle

photo © Christian Richters text Eugenia Bakhturova

It seems like Erick van Egeraat decided to contend with great architects of the past who built the seven wonders of the world. In any case, allusions to Djoser’s pyramid can be clearly seen in the new building of Metzo College in Holland. Actually, Egeraat himself was invited to carry out of sort of reconstruction; a new volume housing Sunday school premises and public sports grounds was erected instead of the three pre- existingones.Thearchitectimplied that social links between groups of students will be establishing smoothly in one shared building, and sports grounds available to all city-dwellers expand the social orientation of the institution and establish an image of an establishment of public character. The building is in a large open green location, since Egeraat had set a task to leave the landscape intact. This is where the compact form of the pyramid integrated into the space and even camouflaging itself with its tapering volume, comes from. Compactness of the building both optimizes inner layout and makes it easy to find one’s way, which in turn increases the social importance of the building. The easier it is to find one’s way, the more people both architectural advantages and empirical improvements will be available to. Difference of levels on the site allowed to dig two floors of the building into the ground and place the main entrance on the third level. For a six-storey building it means that the center is defined both horizontally and vertically in reference frame; entrance leads to heart of the building with motion vectors in different directions. A large covered inner yard, which the entrance opens into, cuts across the floor, and a glazed roof lets the daylight into the building. At standard floors open study space – lection and seminar halls

ENGLISH VERSION

– alternate with individual workstations. It was particularly in this unstable structure that the architect found an opportunity to simulate situations, which would be as close as possible to life in society. Partition-free space is not divided into study space and staff rooms, as it is done in other schools and universities; everyone is in equal conditions, and experience is passed on without interruptions.

128 ТАТЛИН_NEWS №2(38)43_2007