UNIVERSITY ISLAND
Proposed solution looks beyond the simply academic ambition and also aims at redesigning the very borders of the academic experience. One of the most important guidelines was the idea of creating intervention that represents high-quality spatial framework for social activities.
SPATIAL CONTEXT
The proposed solution tries to respectfully assert itself into the existing contextual fabric and gently connect the whole site in one simple stroke. The existing structure is fragmented and complex. Therefore, the new design should be as intelligible and simple as possible. The main idea was to respectfully create a space where the island can step to the forefront and becomes the stage of public and cultural life. Existing structure provides the framework for new design upon which, time itself will paint the story.
Campus with its cultural and artistic program represents a central gravitational point of the island. From this area stronger roots start to run in the form of a sequence of public spaces that inseparably connect new structure into the existing situation.
In surrounding park these spaces are split into smaller paths that covers the whole area as capillaries and softly link facilities, sports areas, playgrounds and accesses, making new structure inseparably clamped in place.Intervention does not become larpurlatistic statement but serves merely as an adapter that powers and connects whole island.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
One of the main guidelines when designing the new structure was how to create a representative appearance of landmark and still not overrule the island but only supplement it. Proposed solution represents a light cloud-like structure that gently levitates over the island.
The silhouette sensibly supplement the skyline of the island and makes a recognizable image that marks the new campus as the modern pendant to the historic pattern of Venetian Lagoon. Proposed solution consists of a ground floor structure which at certain strategic points grows in height and create vertical accents in the form of programmatic volumes. The layout of the building also takes in consideration its microclimate and factors such as shadows generated through the shape of the buildings. Programmatic volumes are placed in a composition that allows light to penetrate deep into the area and illuminate public spaces throughout the entire day.
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
The anatomy of the structure is designed in a way that it provides adaptibility both in vertical and horizontal space, thus making the floor plan and section spatially sustainable. It is offering an answer to ever-changing needs of the campus, its flows and users. This attribute is seeking a way to accept new programs, which might emerge in the long-term future. Foundation of structural design represents a modular grid. At strategic points structural grid grows in height and creates a vertical accents that host more private program. Grid is hollowed out with open space that structural grid public void building envelope flows throughout the whole structure, conecting Lantern motif gets a special meaning at night when volumes glow above sea level and create a new landmark in the Venice skyline. public and private areas, creating connections with the surrounding and opening views toward the Venetian Lagoon skyline.
Structure is wrapped in a skin-like building envelope that gently unifies the whole intervention in one simple stroke. This way the building gets softer and lighter lantern-like appearance that despite its size does not overrule the island but only supplements it. Lantern motif gets a special meaning at night when volumes glow in the dark above sea level and create a new landmark in the Venice skyline.
PROGRAMMATIC DESIGN
Programmatic design is organized in a way that allows maximum flexibility and connectivity of the program while maintaining clean and clear scheme.
Proposed solution consists of a ground floor structure which at certain strategic points grows in height and create vertical accents in the form of programmatic volumes. Interior of the volumes is illuminated over big multiple height spaces that are opened to outside. On the ground level are located all classrooms and laboratories. In volumes are located student acommodations, library with reading spaces, univerity offices and auditorium hall.
One of the key advantages is creation of an open space that flows throughout the whole structure and vertically connects public places underneath and more private spaces above. It links the public and the private areas in quality spatial composition of open spaces and connects them to the surroundings.
This agora-like space represents the core of the intervention where all the public life of the island happens. In this fluid open space are located all common multipurpose spaces like canteen, cafeteria, learning places...etc.
Classrooms
Classrooms are designed so that they can at any given moment open and connect the inner space to nature.
Student Accommodations
Hollowed out structure enables continous flow of the space from the ground floor of the building to the very top of the volume. Two storey high penetrations on each floor open views over the surrounding skyline.
Relation to Ruins
New design spreads between ruins which represents specific ambiental qualities. Ruins with its contemplative character provides enclosed intimate athmosphere inside new campus.
Relation to Existing Buildings
Existing buildings offer vast open space with monumental charracter, which is enclosed from its surroundings and are therefore used for exhibition space of the campus.