November 26, 2009

Schiecentrale, Rotterdam


The new think tank ‘The Why Factory’ at the Faculty of Architecture at the Delft University of Technology was awarded with the LAi prize 2009. The orange Tribune is designed by MVRDV, the flexible furniture by Richard Hutten. The Why Factory, an initiative of Delft University’s Faculty of Architecture and MVRDV, researches urban futures and is lead by Winy Maas. During the opening event a series of prominent speakers will discuss the future city and Winy Maas will give his inaugural address as professor at TU Delft.

After a fire destroyed their premises, The Why Factory and the faculty of architecture of Delft University moved into the former main building of the university. An interior courtyard was created and designated as the new residence of The Why Factory. MVRDV designed the three floor tall wooden structure, containing lecture halls, meeting rooms and the premises of the research institute. An auditorium stair climbs to the top, literally putting the students on top of their teachers.

The structure distinguishes itself by its bright orange colour which clearly identifies The Why Factory as an independent research centre within the Faculty of Architecture, Delft University of Technology. Furniture designer Richard Hutten designed flexible furniture to allow the space around the tribune to switch function between research hall, lecture hall and exhibition space.

other nominees LAi award 2009 were:

- Doepel Strijkers Architects i.s.m. LEX-Architecten, woonhuis Parksite, Rotterdam

- i29 interior architects, recycled office, reclamebureau Gummo, Amsterdam

- i29 interior architects en Snelder Architecten, poetry in motion, Panta Rhei, Amstelveen

- Martine de Maeseneer Architecten, Bronks Jeugdtheater, Brussel

- Merkx + Girod, Raad van State, Den Haag

The Thonet Mart Stam Award 2009 went to: Maartje Nuy and Joost van Noort for their VOUWWOW chair