the next ENTERprise (Austria)
1. Philosophy
The provocation of the random and the unpredictable is our strategy in approaching the spatial and programmatic aspects of architecture. We work at discovering the factors leading beyond pure functionality – it is how we see the essence of architecture.
2. What do you think your architecture most impacts in space?
a. social connections, communication between people
b. density and intensity of space
c. functionality of space
a. and b. You could say that we make b) a trigger for a), in the sense that we believe that architecture must provide space for people to develop their own stories.
3. Does your work as architects consciously transform nature (the space of natural landscape) or rather preserve it?
a. it transforms, because buildings become new man-made nature
b. it transforms, because through buildings you view nature in completely new context
c. it preserves, because architecture is only shaped/ transformed through nature and not vice versa
a. and b. In our projects we merge these notions: it’s hard to say where ‘landscape’ finishes and ‘architecture’ starts, because they are intertwined on so many levels: formally, in their spatial relationship, in the choice of materials, in the use people make of the spaces we design.
4. Do you think your buildings should be preserved (in some form) in the future?
a. preserved, because we also preserve past architecture
b. changed, because it should suit new demands and functions
b. Building use is a continuation of the design process by the users. To allow changes, we design atmospherically and formally dense spaces that offer options to the user
5. How did architecture change most during the last century?
a. through social and functional changes of society
b. through technology of material and knowledge of construction
c. through an attitude towards the context (surrounding space)
c. We would like to expand the term ‘context’ to mean more than just the reality of the surrounding space. In the sense that we operate within a complex, and often contradictory context, that encloses social, cultural, economic, imaginary, emotional aspects, that might or might not be determined locally – that are incorporated into our design process.
6. Which concept of beauty (aesthetics) did not change through past centuries and became timeless in architecture?
a. balanced proportions: golden section, symmetry and geometry of renaissance
b. aesthetic emptiness, abstract space or minimalism of modernity
c. organic beauty of Frank Lloyd Wright
d. We don’t believe there is one (or many) timeless concept(s) of beauty. The process of architectural design is also the questioning, dissecting of traditional concepts of beauty, and the experimenting to define new ones
7. What do clients in your country want you as professionals to transform most in their space?
a. skin, envelope and size of space: most clients want house-extensions and new facades
b. organization of space: they want to rethink the buildings
c. new construction, technology and comfort of space
a., b., c. Currently we’re mostly working on from-scratch projects – an open-air pavilion, a thermal bath, a social housing concept etc. so the client wants us to think about all the aspects mentioned.
8. Do you think your work as architects can transform people’s lives?
a. yes, because it changes one’s attitude and behaviour in space
b. no, because buildings cannot have such impact
a. Yes – if the user wants to. If he or she takes up the options embodied in the spaces we design
9. Project
