HOUSE 2 - COUNTER CITY. A wooden structure of 240 square meters

HOUSE 2 is a public facility built by 200 first-time students of the EPFL architecture in Lausanne. It is a model of ephemeral and experimental design and prefabricated construction. This architecture is the result of different contributions, using wood, metal and concrete, becoming a pedagogical work for students.

HOUSE 2-COUNTER CITY by ALICE. Photograph © Anna Positano

The project, HOUSE 2-COUNTER CITY is based on an experimental format for collaborative design and construction conceived by ALICE (Atelier de la Conception de l’Espace) — a laboratory of EPFL led by Dieter Dietz.

Description of the project by ALICE

Erected in less than 10 days, the project involved 200 first-year students, who prefabricated all the built elements of the installation in Lausanne and transported them across Switzerland in six shipping containers to Zurich, where they unloaded and re-assembled them as a full-size ephemeral structure.

Devoted to social and cultural events, the public installation is not a homogenous architecture, but rather, the result of various different contributions. Each offers an approach to spatial appropriation by many voices, in a dialogical process that questions the quality of public life in view of growing cities around the globe. In reference to Richard Sennett’s recent book “Together”, strong emphasis is given to the notion of collectivity and the negotiation of space of social difference. The project works as a pedagogical tool that materializes these topics in the designbuild process, and in its physical and spatial parameters.

The previous year’s experiment, HOUSE 1, was the configuration of an archetypal house collectively built as an in-vitro condition: an on-campus installation in Lausanne, by students for students. The rooms of HOUSE 1 were engaged primarily in forming a series of interior relations: HOUSE 2 has evolved from this premise, turning outwards, setting itself in relation to the city, and becoming a common place of activity and urban participation.

In order to foster civic engagement, ALICE, in close collaboration with the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), has jointly programmed a series of events for summer 2017 to take place in the context of the installation, between May 31st and June 15th. These include guided tours, theatre and music performances, a sound installation, symposia, student critiques and exhibitions, and an open-air cinema.

To quote Dieter Dietz, "through these activities, HOUSE 2 expands the practice of collaboration into the public sphere of the city. As a forum installation, it provides a space for active exchange, debate and discussion involving the entire community.”

From Zurich West, HOUSE 2 will travel on to Lausanne, where it will take on a new form and new programme during the summer of 2017. In autumn, the structure will be disassembled and the wood preserved to be reconfigured into HOUSE 3 for 2018.

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Plan. HOUSE 2-COUNTER CITY by ALICE. Image courtesy of ALICE

Elevation. HOUSE 2-COUNTER CITY by ALICE. Image courtesy of ALICE

Sketch. HOUSE 2-COUNTER CITY by ALICE. Image courtesy of ALICE

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Architects

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ALICE (Atelier de la Conception de l’Espace) Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

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Team

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ALICE Studio - Dieter Dietz, Daniel Zamarbide, Raffael Baur, Laurent Chassot, Elena Chiavi, Jorge Christie, Margherita Del Grosso, Aurélie Dupuis, Thomas Favre-Bulle, Stéphane Grandgirard, Patricia Guaita, Emma Letizia Jones, Clarisse Labro, Agathe Mignon, François Nantermod, Dario Negueruela, Rudi Nieveen, Laura Perez Lupi, Myriam Perret, Jaime Ruiz, Thibault Smith, Ruben Valdez

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Collaborating students

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Abbas Oria, Andrade Viegas Rita, Arnaud Charles Marie, Avdija Sadia, Baptista de Sousa Mélanie,Barès Julie-Anna Marie, Barbey Samuel, Baseggio Lisa, Belaich Yonah, Benarroch Nathan Jacob, Benjamin Léo, Bernath Lara Carole Nadège, Berger Capucine Miën Vérone, Biber Alice Carole, Bitz Kathleen, Bosshard Cédric Grégory, Botsis Katerina, Boxebeld Carlotta Maria, Burget Baptiste, Burnand Léo Ram Sovath, Burnier Mandy, Burri Alex, Cabaud Zacharie, Campigotto Kevin, Carlier Nicolas Vincent Robert, Carminati Lisa Alice Fanny, Carrière Céline, Casile Antoine Claude Elliot, Chawa Chaza, Cibeira Lachmann Christina, Clivaz Margaux, Contreras Alvarez Carolina, Corazza Kevin, Cossali Kilian Adrien, De Britto Tavares Pablo Valentin, De Oliveira Thibault Jean, Delcourt Timothée Stéphane Marie, Demuynck Clara, Dominé Marine, Dos Santos Luca, Dubois Charles François, Ducor Flavien André Christian, Dupertuis Romain, Duriez Camille, Eichenberger Brigitte, El Daccache Benessa, El Farrah Allae-Eddine, El-Hamadeh Adam, Ferreira Da Silva Rafael, Fillit Pablo Joseph Adam, Fleury Yan Roman David, Flury Loïc Michael, Formica Lina Hélène, Forsey Edward Louis, Gaspar Théo, Gasser Gilles Benjamin Theo, Giacuzzi Gimmi, Gigon Eliane Amina, Gillet Sven Zuo Yue, Giorla Lara, Girardet Noémie Anissa, Gjocaj Leonita, Glaus Maximilian Thomas, Goy Catherine Alexandra, Gorgone Flavio Mario, Gras Eléonor Lily, Grenier Céliane Malou Eliane, Grigoryeva Karina, Gueyffier Eléonore Sixtine Laurence Marie Solange, Gün Mikail, Gurba Johan Manuel Olivier, Gysler Fabio Manuel, Hahusseau Sarah Roxane, Hassan Moallin Madina, Iff Romain, Heil Julien, Jaton Doriand Andrzej, Jianoux Charlotte Flavie Judith, Karameta Lundrim, Kiener Jonathan, Kolesnikov Gleb, Lagrange Lauriane Marie-Clémence Renée, Lamarche Lorenzo Rudolf, Lankry Pierrot Michel Zin-Zan, Larcelet Emma Christine Joelle, Lauret Héloïse, Lombardi Alexandre Tristan Bénédict, Lonfat Carmen, Louet Thibauld Clément, Luetto Vincent, Lugrin Loïc, Luthy Maxime Bertrand, Marmolejo Valdez Andrea Sthefania, Medic Marina, Mehdaoui Fadwa, Mercolli Lino Mattia, Mettraux Sam Fernand, Michel Kyra Lea, Michellod Judith, Mourelle Philippe, Miéville Yoann Guillaume Sacha, Millius Loris André, Morelli Simone, Müller Victor Oskar Rudolph, Musy Pierre Pascal Erwin, Nabky Diana Rami Michel, Nasreldin Malak, Nguyen Thuy Thanh, Nicolas Sacha Philippe Christophe, Nicole Dimitri, Nogueira Pereira Flavio Junio, Noth Nicolas Emile, Ogbonna Gabriel Ihechimnemerem, Ott Klea, Ovadia Valérie, Pagano Antonio, Paillat Quentin, Pannatier Carina, Parlier Joséphine, Paris Ncuti, Pauvert Grégoire Hugo, Pavillard Fanny, Périat Laura, Perretten Lucie, Pillet Maylis Françoise Marie, Pham Quang Vinh, Pilsworth Daniel Louis, Popescu Valentin, Porret Julien Alexandre, Prat Antoine Gabriel Damien, Ramseyer Roman, Rattazzi Filippo, Rey Julien, Ricard-Gauthier Antoine Matthieu, Rossi Manuel, Sahli Aude, Salamin Árpád, Schaerrer Flore Ondine, Schaller Abigaël, Schindler Chloé, Schmidt Jacques, Schopfer Mathias, Schuler Karen Kim, Schwendimann Monasterios Laura Vanessa, Seffacene Clara Marie Anne, Shehata Christine Ashraf Kamal, Sienko Maria, Sikiardis Alice Thina Amanda, Silva José Gabriel, Skorik Anastasia, Sordet Basile Quentin, Stadelmann Pablo Ricardo, Stavrovskaja Natalia, Steullet Anne Gabrielle, Stump Emmanuel Théo, Surano Pierluigi, Tarditi Davide, Terrien Romane, Ter Zehra Susanna, Tiezzi Alessandro, Toktas Sözdar, Toturbieva Salimat, Trivelli Roberto, Tuchschmid Gaël Corentin, Ulrich Sarah, Vandenberghe Tanguy Pierre, Varrin Samuel Pierre, Vidal Martins Carina Soraia,Viennot-Bourgin Pauline Marie, Vögelin Leonne-Zoë, Wahida Ziad, Wirth Sidney, Wust Arno, Zbinden Arnaud Loick.

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Partners

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ZHdK, City of Zurich.- Jefe e ingeniero del taller de construcción: Rémy Meylan, Atelier Whood x Mug
Socios mediáticos.- Archithese
Trabajo y pruebas de sonido.- Sophie Mallett

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Dates

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Key dates.-
May 31st to June 1st 2017 Final jury with ALICE students
June 2nd to June 15th 2017 Public events.

Construction.-
May 20th to 29th 2017 Assembly in Zurich
June 16th to June 18th 2017 Disassembly, transport to Lausanne.

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Technical data

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Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 45 metres
Weight: 5 tons
Planning: 3 months preparation, 2 weeks construction
20’000 linear metres of wood
500 square metres wooden panels
20’000 screws

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Location

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Toni-Areal, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, Zurich, Switzerland Suiza

Atelier de la Conception de l´Espace ALICE

ALICE is an active unit of EPFL-ENAC, Prof. Dieter Dietz’s ALICE laboratory pursues research activities that place space as the interface between humans, and technological and built processes.

ALICE engages in research through three main vehicles:
1) research through design; 2) interdisciplinary fundamental research; 3) the development and implementation of innovative teaching methodologies at Bachelor and Masters level.

ALICE strives for collective, open processes and non-deterministic design methodologies, driven by the will to integrate analytical, data based approaches and design thinking into actual project proposals and holistic scenarios. Research and teaching are conducted in close proximity, in a designresearch perspective. The lab engages in developing and building full-scale, installation-size artefacts, as well as inventing new types of ephemeral structures for social and cultural events.

In parallel, fundamental research is conducted by ALICE’s team of scientists and doctoral candidates who pursue inquiries at the meeting point of architecture, urban thinking and social sciences, with the same focus on the human, collectively shared dimension of society and it’s potential in space-making processes.

The ALICE team consists of a group of young architects and researchers, scientists and doctoral candidates from Europe and abroad.

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HOUSE 2 - COUNTER CITY. A wooden structure of 240 square meters

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