In this interview, presented in collaboration with PLANE—SITE, Cynthia Davidson and Monica Ponce de Leon—curators of the US Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale—explain why the United States’ contribution to the 2016 Venice Biennale has brought together “visionary” American architectural practices to speculatively address the future of the city of Detroit. They argue that these projects have “far-reaching applications for cities around the world.”

As the home of the automobile industry, the free-span concrete factory, Motown, and techno, Detroit was once a center of American imagination, not only for the products it made but also for its modern architecture and modern lifestyle, which captivated audiences worldwide.

Today, like many post-industrial cities, it is coping with the effects of a declining population and an urban landscape pockmarked with blight. Nonetheless, having emerged from bankruptcy, there is new excitement in Detroit to imagine the city’s possible futures, both in the downtown core and in its many neighborhoods.

Central Room. Image © Laurian Ghinitoiu

The Architectural Imagination: Inside the US Pavilion for the 2016 Venice Biennale
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© Matti Rainamo

• Architects: Sigge Arkkitehdit Oy
• Location: Tipotie 4, 33230 Tampere, Finland
• Area: 15490.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2013
• Photographs: Matti Rainamo , Sigge Ark, Sini Pennanen, Lentokuva Vallas Oy

• Building Contractor: SRV Pirkanmaa
• Project Manager: Pöyry CM Oy
• Srtuctural Engineering: A-Insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy
• Hvac Engineering: LVI-Insinööritoimisto Sol-Air Oy
• Electrical Engineering: : Sähkötekniikka Oy Kari Sirén
• Acoustical Design: Akukon Oy

© Lentokuva Vallas Oy

From the architect. The essence of the building is intended to visually lighten the mass of the roof and curved outer walls . Large, silk screen clad and with each other in different angles double facade wall surfaces divide building mass into smaller pieces . Dark aged copper clad end walls and light weight glass surfaces alternate and create sculptural courtyard spaces.

© Matti Rainamo

The building entrances are located at 2nd and 5th floors, of which the latter is a street-level main entrance. Site’s level differences are softened by the slope of the recessed parking hall and stone walls. Yard areas were kept understated. The slopes are covered with evergreen ground cover plants. Pedestrian routes are coated with white crushed stone.

Floor Plan

The wing sections are connected by a freely formed central lobby. The lobby floor is punctuated by arched openings, curved glass walls and main staircase. Upon entering the building, you get a splendid unobstructed view of Lake Näsijärvi. Glass surfaces are silkscreen printed glass patterns that filter the incoming natural light. This light together with the curved surfaces create nuanced series of spaces. The building dimensions and shape are revealed in the central lobby, offering varying views in all directions.

© Sigge Ark, Sini Pennanen

The different interior wings are easily identified by color, each wing has its own distinctive color on all the floors. Colorful surfaces have also been used in the central lobby and wing walls between the floors. The building is illuminated upwards between the curved glass walls, which underlines the sculptural form of the building mass in the dark.

© Matti Rainamo

The building houses a number of user groups. For example a health center, a dental clinic, a maternity clinic and a rehabilitation clinic. The main auditorium, as well as the private dining room can be rented out outside the office hours.

© Sigge Ark, Sini Pennanen

Colorful surfaces and sculptural design of the building, create a comfortable and vibrant place for the citizens to visit and utilize services.

© Sigge Ark, Sini Pennanen

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© HoangLe Photography

• Architects: AHL architects associates
• Location: Định Công, Hoàng Mai, Hà Nội, Vietnam
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: HoangLe Photography

• Cost: 50000 usd

From the architect. Over the years, Hanoi has been spontaneously developing and tube house has become a popular style in this city: the houses stand beside each other, deep in narrow alleys, layer like sardines. The typical tube houses  “designed” by word of mouth or based on the experiences of the builders, with “stairs in the middle, two rooms on two sides”, which always have poor lighting, lack of ventilation with high humidity, are too familiar with most people living in urban areas of Vietnam.

© HoangLe Photography

 3×10 was once that type of house, ultil Client met and discussed with architect about their requirements.

Section

After design and construction, the first impression of the house is probably the cleanliness and light overflowing inside

© HoangLe Photography

“Each project grants us different feelings and solving experiences. All are valuable to the young architects in our office who are seeking inspiration from small projects and customers deserving enjoying those spaces.”

© HoangLe Photography

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