Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
Architect: SANAA
Completed: 2010

11 Photographs

I once got into a robust conversation with a student about this building during a crit. She was trying to claim it was the best thing since sliced bread and I was probably overly reactive to that, having forgotten what it was like being a student. From memory whatever critique I gave, was not that well received.

Perhaps around 2003, I saw Sejima present a lecture at the National University of Singapore, where she showed an early concept sketch of this building. I remember distinctly a moment during the lecture, which was initially given in Japanese with a translator, where Sejima stopped the translator, corrected her and then, moments later, seemingly dissatisfied, switched over and completed the lecture in English. I recall the sketch being a slightly more playful version of what was finally built, but much the same.

We visited this building during a break in term time at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, so I wasn’t able to see it ‘in full flight’, but I imagine that when it is, the undulating floors are inhabited at all angles by students of all shapes and sizes. I especially liked the circular courtyards cut-outs which puncture the unique undulating concrete under croft. It was a beautiful sunny day when we visited, and these pockets of sun were wonderfully varied.

The building reminded me of the works of some of the architects who have influenced me, Mies, Glenn Murcutt, and Kerry Hill, and other masters of the screened box, but done with playfulness and that sense of humour that Japanese architects excel at.

I have not been back since that day, but we have family in the region and have driven past Lausanne a couple of times. I will have to stop by again during the winter, as I would love to see it in the snow.

HWLK