Bureau spectacular/ Jimenez Lai, ChicagoXYZ Project, New York

XYZ (examine your zipper) is a tent proposal aspiring for a high degree of formal fluidity with medium translucency. It is comprised of 15 pentagonal modules whose edges have been predetermined by an industrial zipper standard of 120-inches in length. The zippers are sandwiched between two outer membranes of semi-transparent rip-stop nylon parachute fabric, and compactly stuffed with packaging air pillows, bowing at a maximum range of 24 inches. Warm-color seams against cool-color edges index the delineation between the two sides with zipper-handles or without. Though platonic in its organization, the module is not an equilateral pentagon. They are distorted penta-gons, misshapen by the confluence of concave and convex curves. The sweeping of the zippers tectonically connect any male/female module relationships, and force two seams to kiss and reform a new curvature for the shared line.Many points anchored to weighted feet establish the relationship with the ground of this project. Because of the compactness of the modules, the anchor points will push the outermost membrane to become a Bezier Curve. In this way, the shape of the curves will behave like arches and distribute the weight. This system can allow for

sections with greater interior vastness as well as smaller niches. The play of contraction and expansion and with light and shadow will express the fluid surfaces of the interior. The collaborating artist, Daniel Sauter, has previously designed the lighting system for the Burnham Pavilion by UN Studio. Should this project proceed, we will work with him to resolve issues of interactivity of light as well as the trans-lucency of surfaces. The desired architectural effect is a sensual enticement and curiosity. Although the interchan-geability of the parts can freeze the assembly processes in time and stop the project into numerous wholes at multiple scales; it is the size of the modules that transmit the enticement: The voluptuous modules emits a glimpse of the outside, tenderly renegotiating its shared edge with a new course of action under forceful determinism. It is an invitation that attracts the curiosity between the subjects, eventually blurring of the details of their faces and leaving only the unfamiliar silhouettes. Leader: Jimenez LaiTeam: Jimenez Lai, Thomas Kelley, Andrew Akins, Sophie Kohn

Subterranean SyncopationDiploma Project

Jury: Hugh Dutton

Christian Delécluse Gian M. Maurizio

Jean-Marc Paumier Clémence Cosneau

Abandoned subway station in the 6th district of ParisSite plan

Rue du

Cherc

he-Midi

Rue de Sèvres

Rue du Vieux Colombier

Rue du Four

Rue de Grenelle

Rue d

e Ren

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In our large cities, there is an above ground world which contains such a high density of new construction that the below ground world poses an intriguing option for architectural experimen-tation. Subterranean Syncopation is located within “Croix Rouge”, an abandoned metro station in the center of Paris. Since the second world war, the station has remained closed to the public, but the passing metro cars on the railway continue to animate it.

Upon entry, the unmarked and brut decent starts by a simple ladder under a sidewalk ventilation chamber. After continuing further down, the unlit corridor displays ancient advertisements and remnants from a past far away. In this fascinating site, I was surprised by the number of street artists who found a new playground. Painting murals of their own kind just beneath the city’s beloved artistic treasures, the closed Metro provided a blank canvas and an uninterrupted environment. This movement and the animation of the train station reminded me of the initiatory journey.

To travel is to lose ones bearings, to be lost; being alone and break at some point with a new routine. It makes you vulnerable and attentive to every detail. Travel is the discovery and excite-ment of starting to enrich themselves intellec-tually. I wanted to recreate this experience by implementing my project in an abandoned

subway station. Reconstruct a process of breaking, crossing the paths of a dark Parisian metro into the heart of black to bring forth creation. Imagination free of any constraint, a creative laboratory to develop and amplify the birth of artistic gesture and provide a haven to free the artist from the burden of creation.

It was here I found inspiration and started to think about the process of creativity. How could such a beautiful and particular atmosphere make people more productive and inspired?

To figure out what was needed for the user, I started by analyzing the process of the artist and how they commence their respective work. After compiling data taken from a sample of interna-tional painters, photographers, writers, designers and architects, the results proved to be similar. By taking the common and overlapping responses, I designed a room for each of their specific needs.

1. Research Room: connection with libraries - connects the artist to the first step in inspiration by looking at research materials.2. Contemplation/Reposing Room: Thinking3. Observation/Projection Center4. Dark Room: Physical experience 5. Cocoon 6. Working Space

Subterranean Syncopation is a project exploring the underground world. It demands the question, “How can we repurpose an old, unused site?”

W H E N Y O U S T A R T A N E W P R O J E C T , H O W D O Y O U G E T I N S P I R E D ?

32%

15%

53%

talk- internal / external

no response

Research and information

7 6 6 4 3

W H A T ’ S T H E B E S T A T M O S P H E R E F O R Y O U T O W O R K I N ?

RELAX ALONE GROUPE SPACE MUSIC

= NUMBER OF PERSON(S)

MO

RNIN

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5H00 -1

1H59

AFTERN

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2H00 -

16H59

EVENIN

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21H59

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2H00 -

04H49

05H00 04H59

8 PE

RSON

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3 PE

RS

6 PE

RS

2 PE

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W H AT ’ S T H E M O S T I N S P I R AT I O N N A L M O M E N T O F Y O U R D AY ? D I D Y O U E V E R W O R K I N T H E D A R K ?

IN T

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Analysis of artists’ habits

Quel est le moment de la journée où l ’inspiration vous vient le plus ? J’aime travailler en soirée, voir la nuit. L’atmosphère de calme et de tranquillité est plus propice à l’écriture et à l’imagination.

What’s the most inspirationnal moment of your day?

Running out of time because it means I can’t decide anymore and have to do it now.

Did you ever work in the dark?

Not the complete darkness, but I like to write in kind of moody settings.

Avez-vous déjà travaillé dans le noir, la nuit ou un espace sombre ?

Oui. Je travaille tous les soirs avant de dormir, et parfois dans mes rêves.

E C R I VA I N

ARCHITECT

A R T S T U D I O A S S I S TA N T

D E S I G N E R M O D E

Y a t-il un processus ou un besoin qui vous est nécessaire pour créer?

Je fonctionne beaucoup ou un besoin des ré�exions que je travaille dans une situation de demi conscience, le soir à l’endormissement et au petit matin comme précédemment précisé.

P E I N T R E

plans & sections

Long section BB

BB

R-3Under the subway platform

R-2Platform level

R-1 Over the subway platform

A

A

3

4

1

5

2

2

6

Cross section AA

1. Research Room: connection with libraries - connects the artist to the first step in inspiration by looking at research materials.2. Contemplation/Reposing Room: Thinking3. Observation/Projection Center4. Dark Room: Physical experience 5. Cocoon 6. Working Space

3 4 1

5

2

Sébastien Héry Architecte, Paris39-unit residential building, Nanterre.

Site plan

detail drawingsEntrance of the building

scale :1/100

OS Architectes, ParisCrèche de l'Ile Marante, Colombes.

Team: Vincent Baur, Guillaume Colboc, Sophie KohnDate : Concours 10.2010Cost : 2 350 000 € Surface : SHON 910 m²Client : CODEVAMEngineering Partners : EVP (structure), Forgue (economy), CFERM (fluid)

This project started from the studying of traffic, density and movement in

Northern London, United Kingdom. Near the Angel Underground stop, the

concentration of people and their activities during the day on the peripheral

streets contrast with the quiet atmosphere of Torrens street.

After analyzing the layout and population density of the neighborhood, we decided to work on the theme of relaxation and spirituality. Our presence in the urban tissue was naturally guided by the angle of the street representing the transition between the movement and the calm. A building dedicated to the meditation and the senses’ development, we introduced curves to the exterior of the structure to reinforce tranquility within the visitor’s mindset and to allow for the interior plan.

The StructureThe building’s program corresponds in relation to the human body. Our project is divided into several rooms of experimentation which each develop a specific sense and concentrate on a precise part of the body. The tactile experience starts with the “Sensory Ground Room” on the ground level, which introduces the visitor to a porous, spongelike floor where he can enjoy his foot treament. After a soft incline to the next floor, he can experiment with the “Sensory Wall”, a messaging rest point focusing on taking the tension out of the back and neck. Before the top floor, the visitor can take time to read and relax in the “Suspended Room” featuring an open garden and pendulous hammocks. The final and highest floor features an ascension into the “Open Sky”, a meditation room featuring a panoramic roof opening up to free the visitor of any lingering stresses.

This project started from the studying of traffic, density and movement in

Northern London, United Kingdom. Near the Angel Underground stop, the

concentration of people and their activities during the day on the peripheral

streets contrast with the quiet atmosphere of Torrens street.

After analyzing the layout and population density of the neighborhood, we decided to work on the theme of relaxation and spirituality. Our presence in the urban tissue was naturally guided by the angle of the street representing the transition between the movement and the calm. A building dedicated to the meditation and the senses’ development, we introduced curves to the exterior of the structure to reinforce tranquility within the visitor’s mindset and to allow for the interior plan.

EfferveSense, LondonTeacher: Ricardo De OstosTeam: Mathilde Lucas, Sophie Kohn

SENSORY GROUNDSENSORY WALL

SUSPENDED ROOMOPEN SKY

The StructureThe building’s program corresponds in relation to the human body. Our project is divided into several rooms of experimentation which each develop a specific sense and concentrate on a precise part of the body. The tactile experience starts with the “Sensory Ground Room” on the ground level, which introduces the visitor to a porous, spongelike floor where he can enjoy his foot treament. After a soft incline to the next floor, he can experiment with the “Sensory Wall”, a messaging rest point focusing on taking the tension out of the back and neck. Before the top floor, the visitor can take time to read and relax in the “Suspended Room” featuring an open garden and pendulous hammocks. The final and highest floor features an ascension into the “Open Sky”, a meditation room featuring a panoramic roof opening up to free the visitor of any lingering stresses.

This project started from the studying of traffic, density and movement in

Northern London, United Kingdom. Near the Angel Underground stop, the

concentration of people and their activities during the day on the peripheral

streets contrast with the quiet atmosphere of Torrens street.

After analyzing the layout and population density of the neighborhood, we decided to work on the theme of relaxation and spirituality. Our presence in the urban tissue was naturally guided by the angle of the street representing the transition between the movement and the calm. A building dedicated to the meditation and the senses’ development, we introduced curves to the exterior of the structure to reinforce tranquility within the visitor’s mindset and to allow for the interior plan.

The StructureThe building’s program corresponds in relation to the human body. Our project is divided into several rooms of experimentation which each develop a specific sense and concentrate on a precise part of the body. The tactile experience starts with the “Sensory Ground Room” on the ground level, which introduces the visitor to a porous, spongelike floor where he can enjoy his foot treament. After a soft incline to the next floor, he can experiment with the “Sensory Wall”, a messaging rest point focusing on taking the tension out of the back and neck. Before the top floor, the visitor can take time to read and relax in the “Suspended Room” featuring an open garden and pendulous hammocks. The final and highest floor features an ascension into the “Open Sky”, a meditation room featuring a panoramic roof opening up to free the visitor of any lingering stresses.

This project started from the studying of traffic, density and movement in

Northern London, United Kingdom. Near the Angel Underground stop, the

concentration of people and their activities during the day on the peripheral

streets contrast with the quiet atmosphere of Torrens street.

After analyzing the layout and population density of the neighborhood, we decided to work on the theme of relaxation and spirituality. Our presence in the urban tissue was naturally guided by the angle of the street representing the transition between the movement and the calm. A building dedicated to the meditation and the senses’ development, we introduced curves to the exterior of the structure to reinforce tranquility within the visitor’s mindset and to allow for the interior plan.

The StructureThe building’s program corresponds in relation to the human body. Our project is divided into several rooms of experimentation which each develop a specific sense and concentrate on a precise part of the body. The tactile experience starts with the “Sensory Ground Room” on the ground level, which introduces the visitor to a porous, spongelike floor where he can enjoy his foot treament. After a soft incline to the next floor, he can experiment with the “Sensory Wall”, a messaging rest point focusing on taking the tension out of the back and neck. Before the top floor, the visitor can take time to read and relax in the “Suspended Room” featuring an open garden and pendulous hammocks. The final and highest floor features an ascension into the “Open Sky”, a meditation room featuring a panoramic roof opening up to free the visitor of any lingering stresses.

LA GALERIE D’ARCHITECTUREParis, France

An exhibition at the Galerie d’Architecture helps promote the work of architects through communication and media relations. The gallery offers visitors a well stocked bookstore and a lively space which changes the rhythm of the atmosphere through various events.

I was fortunate enough to have had direct contact with all of the architects who exhibited in this space. This allowed for a transmission of knowledge in order to better understand the philosophy of their office and how they position themselves in a contemporary society.Another communicative element in the gallery was the bookstore. In managing it, I always had the library at my disposal as an inspirational resource. It was enriching to be a part of the various architectural events and encouraged me to stay curious.

The Galerie d’Architecture taught and showed me the array of possibilities to present and communicate architecture to a large audience.