/Layers of Making

The design for the new Angewandte University reimagines the spatial organization of studios, workshops, and circulation to support collaborative and adaptive learning. The concept features a single-story building elevated above the ground, accessed via three staircases, symbolically lifting the creative act and fostering openness beneath. Studios, student workspaces, and institutes [A] are housed on the upper level, while a series of workshops [B] are placed below ground, reinforcing the idea of making as a foundational layer of artistic education. Central to the project is a flexible wall system, allowing spaces to be reconfigured in response to shifting academic needs—whether daily or semester-based. This modular approach reflects the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of contemporary applied arts education, enabling studios to transform and adapt without compromising cohesion.

Rooted in extensive cultural, social, and spatial research, the Guabuliga Market addresses the practical and communal needs of a rural agricultural village in northern Ghana. Designed to provide shade, water, and durable infrastructure, the open-air market pavilion draws from the forms of local summer huts and grain silos, reinterpreting them through a modular architectural system. The structure balances roofscape and floorscape, featuring integrated water access, seating, and a dedicated market space for regional crafts and goods. The roof is composed of two primary components, designed for future expansion, while custom “hooks” embedded in the structural columns invite local appropriation for display and use—allowing the space to evolve organically. Built by local craftsmen and laborers, the project not only created economic opportunities during construction but also introduced new spatial and construction possibilities into the local context. Today, the marketplace functions as both a commercial and social nucleus, enhancing the socio-economic vitality of the village and establishing a new architectural identity for Guabuliga.