P R E C E D E N C E

S T U D Y

GRAZ, AUSTRIA

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PETER COOK & COLIN FOURNIER

2003

S T R U C T U R A L

S Y S T E M S

The structure for the exhibition spaces is held within the steel frame in the skin. This allows the space to remain unobstructed by columns, giving absolute freedom to the plan of the exhibits. The skin spans a distance up to 60m. Below the exhibition spaces, the freeflowing public space is enclosed by a thin curtain wall of glass, giving the space a feeling of transparency. This space uses a more conventional piloti and brace beam system, and in fact, it is the foundation for the free-form structure above. The same rigid floor system that resists the thrust from above, acts as a brace linking the columns at the ground floor.

STRUCTURAL SKIN

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

P R O G R A M

D I V I S I O N

The KUNSTHAUS houses a variety of programs. What makes the museum space unique is the lack of a CITY VIEWING PLATFORM permanent collection. The galleries [1] were designed to house travelling exhibits, as well as serve the other art institutions within Graz, and the rest of Austria.

(1) ART EXHIBITION SPACE

In addition to art exhibition, the KUNSTHAUS hosts CAMERA AUSTRIA [2], an independant research program exploring photography as an art medium and historical tool. The research facilities are located above the public floor at grade and within the bottom floors of the curved structure. The complex also is linked to historical architecture in the THIENFELD PALACE [3]. This is one of Austria's first steel structures, and has been restored as part of the museum support facilities.

5 4

LD PALAC E

Two other traditional buildings [4,5] are part of the complex, and at this time do not serve a direct museum function, yet once refurbished, will house cafes and other public entertainment spaces.

PUBLIC GATHERING SPACE

(3) THIENFELD PALACE

THIENFE

The excavated levels house a parking complex which was constructed primarily to serve the nearby commercial area, though the Kunsthaus staff will use these spaces for their needs as well.

(2) CAMERA AUSTRIA INSTITUTE

ART EXHIBITION SPACE

CITY

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4TH FLOOR

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

P R O G R A M

D I V I S I O N

EXHIBITIO

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THE SHARP CONTRAST OF FORM ON THE EXTERIOR BLOCKS MELT AWAY WITH THE DESIGN OF THE INTERIOR CIRCULATION. A TRANSPORTER - ESCALATOR CALLED THE "PIN'' GRADUALLY MOVES VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION HALLS WHILE ALLOWING THEM TO SURVEY OVER THE VARIOUS SPACES. tHIS CONTINUES THROUGH THE LOWER EXHIBITION SPACE, GIVING A UNIQUE OVERVIEW TO THE PRESENTED ARTWORK. ART EXHIBITION SPACE

CITY

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FUTURE PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT

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PUBLIC READING AREA ENTRY PIN ENTERS TOP EXHIBITION SPACE

1ENTRY LEVEL

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

E N C L O S U R E

S Y S T E M

Although the KUNSTHAUS complex connects with more traditional structures, it is the striking form of the structural skin that creates the most excitement. The design incorporates a triangular brace system, and hexagonal ports which grow to self structured nozzles. These tilted extrusions act as light ports bringing northern light into the exhibition halls. They also serve to highlight the history of Graz, by their orientation to traditional heritage monuments, such as the Clock Tower atop the Schlossberg. In addition to the skin's structural role at the exhibition spaces, the designers created multiple uses and multiple definitions for the "skin" beyond the traditional role as merely the enclosure system. This skin is a complex layering of form and systems, yet its construction is made of typical materials, and is conventionally detailed resulting in a much lower cost than would be assumed. The interior tensile layer forms easily to the steel frame, while the acrylic panels are attached with a conventional pin system. The skin does have an added media function. 930 circular fluorescent bulbs are placed behind the acrylic panels, forming what could be described a very large very low resolution grayscale bitmap matrix. Each bulb can be controlled independently, for intensity and duration. The skin can then be programmed for signage, or for a programmed media exhibit.

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

U R B A N

C O N N E C T I O N The models to the left illustrate the connectivity the structure would have with the surrounding buildings, as these structures are incorporated into the program. The measured facades of the traditional Austrian buildings act as music bars upon which the new form is composed. The city of Graz celebrates a rich history of the Avant Gard, and welcomed the new form as a compliment to their Tyrolean conservatism. The form seems strangly like an artificial heart being inserted into the city, to give it a re-birth, and new life. The City has taken charge of this project in coordination with a large scale revitalization effort. It could then be said that the connection to an artificial heart is accurate indeed.

The KUNSTHAUS is part of a greater community effort to revitalize the city center, by promotion of arts and cultural events. The complex is well coordinated to act as the bridge into the district. The public spaces create a flow into the surrounding spaces, drawing in berger and visitor alike.

Graz City revitalization corridor

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

P R O J E C T

I N F O R M A T I O N Formal name of Project: Kunsthaus Graz Location: Graz, Austria Gross square footage: 141,007 sq. ft. Total construction cost: $50 Million Owner: City of Graz

photo: Paul Ott

photo: M Nicol

Architect: ARGE Kunsthaus Mariahilferstrasse 1 8010 Graz, Austria ARGE Kunsthaus is the joint veture between: – spacelab cook-fournier GmbH –Architektur Consult –Bollinger+Grohmann

Bibliography: Architectural Record Jan 2004: KUNSTHAUS GRAZ. p 146 article by Liane LeFaivre ARCspace Foundation website: www.arcspace.com article: Spacelab Cook-Fourier, Kunsthaus Graz photo: Paul Raftney

Graz, Austria City website: www.graz03.at article by Peter Pakesch, Artistic Director of the Regional Museum, Joanneum: Kunsthaus Graz, A Friendly Alien.

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

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D B A

CITY OBSERVATION "NEEDLE" FOURTH LEVEL

S P A T I A L

A PUBLIC READING AREA GROUND FLOOR

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O R G A N I Z A T I O N

B LOWER EXHIBITION SPACE THIRD LEVEL

C UPPER EXHIBITION SPACE FOURTH LEVEL

H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

P R O G R A M

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H Y B R I D I Z A T I O N

KUNSTHAUS GRAZ

GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER

P R O G R A M

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H Y BKUNSTHAUS R I D GRAZ I Z A T I O N GRAZ, AUSTRIA, 2003

PETER COOK COLIN FOURNIER