During the summer term 2018 we will continue our research on healthcare typologies and question how these facilities could look like in the future. Therefor Denmark serves as an ideal paradigm. As a social welfare state, it provides an environment in which developments in architecture and design are deeply rooted in everyday life, while they also have the power to reflect, react and even initiate social transformations.
Throughout history, notions of the body and the idea of health and illness were determined by developments in politics, economics and culture, while innovations in medical treatments and advancements in technology directly influenced the typologies of healthcare facilities. In Denmark, a permanent profound reflection on social transformations and a common belief that architecture can serve as a healing factor are represented in innovative healthcare typologies which are currently evolving. We will look into the system which has enabled this and approach the topic with a concrete design.
A precise research of specific typologies and visits to medical facilities in a broad sense and the project site will form the base for the design work during the semester. Therefor a weekend excursion to Copenhagen and further visits in Vienna are planned. On the one hand, this will enable us to develop greater understanding of the context in which the project is located and to transfer specific atmospheres, local materials and other particularities into the design and on the other hand to also gain insights into the developments in Austria.
While the gathered material from the winter semester 2017/18 will be available, the professionals and students from the previous semester will also share their knowledge and insights with us in discussions.
The following questions should be examined through design projects: Which typologies lie beneath today´s care facilities and what can we learn from them? Which social transformations are we facing today and how can those requirements be translated into new typologies? How do these buildings integrate into the city fabric and which meaning could they adopt for a community?
The focus is not only set on conceptual but also on structural considerations, as well as spatial qualities. The final architectonical design will be elaborated and presented through drawings, images and especially with models.