Project | Educatorium

Location | University of Utrecht, the Netherlands

Architects | OMA, Rem Koolhaas, Christophe Cornubert,

Richard Eelman, Michael Melenhorst, Jacques Vink,

& Gaudi Hoedaya

Area | 110,000 sf

Completion | 1998

N

Site Plan | See Above

Concept | Two pieces of paper which fold and connect to each other. the plane is both internal and external.

Eastern Elevation | no scaleNorth Elevation | scale

auditoria

examination

entry

The Examination Area cantilevers and is suspended by large beams on the roof.

Columns in this area do not go to the concrete slab below. Floor plates have Vierendeel girders which carry the load.

East-end Structural System

cafeteria

15’-0”

North Elevation | scale

auditoria

cafeteria

examination

entry

Auditoria side of the building. Concrete sheet is meant to curve and span 25 meters, yet maintain a 20 cm thickness. This truss system helps to sup-port the concrete.

West-end Structural System

15’-0”

Section through auditorium | scale

Within the space of the auditorium, OMA wanted to maintain the 20 cm thickness of the concrete. The span of the ceiling however, was problematic.

West-end Auditorium

Upper & lower pressure zones are established within the concrete. Lower pressure zones are in tension.

The longer the span, the thicker the concrete needs to be & the need for steel reinforcement arises.

Concrete in tension serves no structural purpose. Thus, OMA resolved to remove this unnecessary zone. This main-tains the strength, span, and desired material thickness.

15’-0”

Approximation of building foundation.

Ground Floor Axonometric | no scale

First Floor Axonometric | no scale

The columns in the cafeteria area decrease in quantity as you move towards the North. It appears that there are only two columns supporting the floor above at this end. However, the two columns create a hybrid truss with the slanted floor plane. The lower end of the truss is within the floor slab.

Deformation of the space is created by this changing density of columns.

N

Throughout the building, the Northern end is treated openly while the Southern end is treated in a more closed manner. This is expressed through materials as well and levels of opacity and translucence.

open sitting area

glazing

mixture of solid materials

ramp

auditorium

auditorium

cafeteria

entry

kitchen

kitchen

bike parking

Third Floor Axonometric | no scale

Second Floor Axonometric | no scale

roof garden

West End Section Detail | no scale

Truss Detail | no scale

Pin Joint

glass perpendicular to exterior glazing

Exterior Glazing Section & Details | no scale

West Facade | showing perpendicular panes

North Facade | showing glazing system

West

- Maintaining the integrity of the concrete sheet - Keeping the 20 cm thickness

- Concrete must remain continuous

- Has a constructive high point in the auditorium

East

- Regular in form - Examination/testing block is more rigorous

- Typical steel frame with prefab. flooring

- Concrete sheet works as a connector between this side and the West side to bring the two separate systems together.

North

- Maintaining openness - Use of materials to express this openness

- Use of less obvious structure to express openness

Southern Side

- A more closed off environment - Use of materials to express this

- Use of more structural columns to close space more

Southside Stairs

West Side

Exterior - 1st Floor

Exterior - Southeast

First Floor Plan | no scale

Ground Floor Plan | no scale

Second Floor Plan | no scale

Third Floor Plan & Roof Garden | no scale

Works Cited |

1. Kenchiku Bunka, 1998, March. Vol. 205, pp. 50-53

2. Domus, 1998, January. Vol. 800, pp. 42-47

3. Arch Plus (+), 1998, July. Vol. 142, pp. 13-15

4. Croquis, 1998. Vol. 88-89, pp. 64

5. A+U, 1998, Sept. Vol. 9, pp. 24

6. Abitare, 1998, December. Vol. 379, pp. 104

7. GA Document, 1997, December. Vol. 53, pp. 8-35

8. www.galinsky.com/buildings/educatorium/