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EPFL’s ALICE Studio Presents HOUSE 1

EPFL students have recently completed HOUSE 1, an 11m-cubic balloon-frame timber structure that represents a dynamic notion of space.

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Photography by Dylan Perrenoud

Short for Atelier de la Conception de l’Espace, ALICE studio at EPFL-ENAC focuses on “space as the interface between humans, and technological and built processes.” Led by Director Dieter Dietz, the atelier explores both architectural R&D as well as pedagogical methodologies, favoring a collective and open approach to a full-scale design-build process. The first-year students in ALICE studio recently unveiled HOUSE 1, a proof-of-concept for a dynamic notion of space.

Following a three-month planning period, the 11m-cubic balloon-frame timber structure was constructed over the course of a month. More than 200 students worked with 12 studio directors and wood engineer Rémy Meylan to develop distinct projects, with the brief to create a space for either habitation or transition. These projects ultimately form an interconnected, multilayered spatial experience.

The result weighs in at five tons, measuring a total of 15,000 linear meters of wood, fastened with 20,000 screws. Sited on the EPFL campus next to the Rolex Learning Center, HOUSE 1 is currently open to the public.

Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Aloys Mutzenberg : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Aloys Mutzenberg : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Dylan Perrenoud : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Aloys Mutzenberg : ALICE EPFL
Photo © Aloys Mutzenberg : ALICE EPFL
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