ALICE collaboratively builds a public architectural forum in zurich in less than 10 days

ALICE — an international group of young architects from the école polytechnique fédérale de lausanne (EPFL) — has constructed a 240 square meter architectural installation adjacent to the toni-areal education and cultural center in zurich. led by director dieter dietz, the 200 first-year students built ‘HOUSE 2 – counter city’ in less than 10 days from structural elements prefabricated in lausanne. the pieces were shipped to zurich, unloaded and re-assembled as a public, ephemeral structure devoted to social and cultural happenings. 

all images © anna positano-opfot.com

‘HOUSE 2′ is the result of various different architectural contributions and ideas, each offering its own approach to spatial appropriation. with a focus on quality of life as it relates to growing cities, ALICE placed a strong emphasis on the notion of collectivity and the negotiation of space. in order to foster engagement with the public, the laboratory collaborated closely with the zurich university of the arts on a program of events for summer 2017, including guided tours, theatre and music performances, a sound installation, symposia, student critiques and exhibitions, and an open-air cinema.

the project builds upon the studio’s ‘HOUSE 1’ experiment — an on-campus installation in lausanne, by students for students. ‘HOUSE 2’ evolved from this premise, setting itself in relationship to the city, and becoming a common place of activity and urban participation for all. ‘HOUSE 2′ expands the practice of collaboration into the public sphere of the city,’ dieter dietz says. ‘as a forum installation, it provides a space for active exchange, debate and discussion involving the entire community.’

following its presentation in zurich, the installation will travel to lausanne, where it will take on a new form and program. in autumn, the structure will be disassembled and the wood will be preserved to be reconfigured into ‘HOUSE 3’ for 2018.

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