RAUMTAKT - Inspiration and innovation at Pavigrés Cerâmicas in Portugal, Empa and Atelier Oï
Porto 2024: Pavigrés Cerâmicas SA architectural journey - inspiration and innovation in ceramics
Raumtakt was invited by Hug Baustoffe AG and Pavigrés Grupo on a trip to Porto from April 18 to 21. We experienced exciting and instructive days, including a factory tour of production as well as inspiration and innovation in ceramics by the largest tile manufacturer in Portugal, Pavigrés Cerâmicas SA. The entire architectural trip included an architectural city tour, a visit to the "Burmester" port wine cellars and the "Casa da Música" concert hall, designed by architects Rem Koolhaas and Ellen van Loon from OMA (Rotterdam).
One of my personal favorite places in Porto is the Piscina das Marés from the 1960s by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Stefan Müller, owner of Raumtakt, is enthusiastic about the architectural work of contemporary architects such as Pedra Líquida, who approach existing buildings professionally and with a refined architectural language. The São Bento Residences, the Tipografia do Conto Hotel and the Casa do Conto contribute to the emergence of unique projects within Porto's growing hotel sector.
Guided tour at Empa as part of the CAS program Building Physics of the HSLU - Institute of Building Technology and Energy (IGE)
As part of the CAS program Building Physics of the HSLU - Institute of Building Technology and Energy (IGE), we had the opportunity to experience a guided tour at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in Dübendorf on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Empa, a leading Swiss research institute, specializes in materials science and technology development. Participants in the CAS program were able to learn first-hand about the latest developments and innovative solutions in the field of materials research and their application in the construction industry. This excursion provided valuable insights into practice-oriented research and showed how scientific findings can be directly implemented in construction practice. This experience greatly enriched the training program and underlined the close cooperation between research and practice, which is essential for improving building quality and promoting sustainable, energy-efficient construction methods.
Annual meeting of the vsi.asai regional group for German-speaking Switzerland and tour of Atelier oï
From April 26 to 27, 2024, we attended the annual meeting of the vsi.asai German-speaking Switzerland regional group in Biel. The meeting was characterized by inspiring impressions from the charming old town and the contemporary wooden buildings, including the remarkable work of Shigeru Ban. These diverse influences provided the perfect backdrop for an in-depth professional exchange and exciting discussions.
A particular highlight of the meeting was the impressive tour of the atelier oï headquarters. Atelier oï, an internationally renowned design and architecture firm based in La Neuveville, Switzerland, was founded in 1991 by Aurel Aebi, Armand Louis and Patrick Reymond. The office is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach that seamlessly combines architecture, design and scenography.
Atelier oï is known for its innovative and creative projects that often combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. Their work spans a wide range of projects worldwide, including furniture, interior design, exhibitions and buildings. Numerous awards attest to their pioneering design and outstanding work in the industry.
The tour of the atelier oï headquarters provided us with valuable insights into their working methods and the philosophy behind their projects. This experience greatly enriched our program and underlined the importance of combining research, practice and creative design. The annual meeting in Biel was therefore not only a meeting of professionals, but also a source of inspiration and a catalyst for future projects.
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Text: Stefan Müller, RAUMTAKT GmbH
© Photos - photo credits: Stefan Müller, RAUMTAKT GmbH
