PROJECTS ON SITE
Currently six of our London projects are on site located in Chelsea, Bayswater, Primrose Hill, Mayfair and Hampstead.
The projects include refurbishment of listed buildings, conversion from office to residential use and upgrade of commercial properties.
Uwe Schmidt-Hess is founder and director of the practice.
Uwe studied architecture at the Bauhaus-University Weimar, Oxford Brookes University and the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL London, supported by scholarships of the German National Academic Foundation, InWent & DAAD.
Proir to establishing his own practice in 2008, Uwe worked in leading practices including Fink+Jocher in Munic, Atrium Design in Bangkok and Make Architects in London.
Alongside practice he has been Diploma Tutor at the Bartlett School of Architecture and has taught at Kingston University, the University of Greenwich and the University of East London.
Perrin Apartment located in an early 18th century Grade II listed building in Hampstead conservation area is a generous 2-bedroom unit that spans across 4 floors. Parts of it are housed in a new roof top extension that has been developed in close consultation with the local planning and conservation authorities.
The external appearance blends into its historic setting, whereas the interior provides bright and contemporary spaces. Entering on street level, a winding staircase along the perimeter of the building connects all floors. Kitchen, living and dining area are located on 2nd floor, while the master suite on 3rd floors enjoys both natural daylight from and views to three different directions.
The refurbishment of the lobby and common parts of this office building located in Mayfair in central London responds to the prestigious location through use of an elegant material palette. The centrepiece of the entrance space is formed by an undulating bronze cast reception desk with a desktop surface of black linoleum and custom enclosures for the required equipment. The desk arrangement and form have been developed to accentuate the space in the entrance area while providing ample room for the receptionist. It is complemented by iridescent brushed and polished plaster finishes to walls and ceilings. Effectively lit by integrated linear light sources, they provide reflective surfaces that change their appearance depending on the viewing angle and expand the perceived space beyond its physical boundaries.
This project is currrently on site and is scheduled for completion by end of this year.
Nested between a terraced residential block and a railway siding, this mixed-use development comprises an extensive refurbishment of three 1950s industrial units. The existing building fabric is remodelled into two residential dwelling houses and an office building. The design responds to the constraints of the site, by introducing inner courtyards and large skylights to draw natural light deep into the interior of the spaces. The introduction of two principle gables provides a distinct external appearance across the whole scheme. The over-cladding of the existing envelope helps the project to exceed in its performance against the latest environmental requirements and codes. The interior materiality creates a link between the buildings past and future use, contrasting rough exposed brickwork and timber surfaces with smooth polished concrete and metal framed windows.
Sehr geehrte Bauherren und Geschaeftspartner,
nach vier Jahren erfolgreicher Zusammenarbeit haben Uwe Schmidt-Hess & Markus Seifermann entschieden, ihre weitere Arbeit in unabhaengigen Bueros fortzusetzen. Uwe Schmidt-Hess wird weiterhin das Buero ‘Patalab Architektur leiten.
Markus Seifermann hat das Londoner Architekturbuero und Medienunternehmen UeberRaum gegruendet.
London 01 February 2013
VEROEFFENTLICHUNG VON 'THE POET'S GARDEN'
Das schweizer Magazin Tec 21, Fachzeitschrift fuer Architektur, Ingenieurwesen und Umwelt, hat in seiner Ausgabe zu narrativer Architektur das Projekt 'The Poet's Garden' von Uwe Schmidt-Hess umfassend veroeffentlicht.
DIE GIEBEL
Das neue Projekt befindet sich im Nord Westen von London. Drei bisher leerstehende Lagergebaeude werden zu Wohn- und Geschaeftsraeumen umgebaut.
Die Bauarbeiten werden demnaechst beginnen und zum Jahresende ihren Abschluss finden.
NEUE MARCONI HOUSE EINGANGSLOBBY FERTGGESTELLT
Das denkmalgeschuetzte Marconi House an der Londoner Magistrale "The Strand" ist ein zu Wohnungen umgebautes ehemaliges Buero-gebaeude, dass 79 Apartments auf circa 5700 qm beherbergt.
'Patalab war fuwr den Entwurf und die Ausfuehrungsplanung der neuen Eingangslobby verantwortlich. Die terassierte Promenade entlang einer geschwungenen hinterleuchteten Glasswand reagiert auf die prominente Adresse und schafft eine dynamische und spannungsvolle Eingangssituation.
MAYFAIR LOBBY
'Patalab wurde mit der Planung und Bauleitung der innenraeumlichen Renovierungsarbeiten an einem Buero- und Geschaeftsgebaeude in Mayfair, Central London, beauftragt.
Zentrales Element der neuen Eingangslobby wird ein bronzener Rezeptionstisch. Zusaetzlich werden massgeschneiderte Einbauten und das Licht reflektierende Wandverkleidungen die neuen Raeumlichkeiten praegen.
MAYFAIR LOBBY
'Patalab is currently developing the design for the refurbishment of the common parts within a prestigious office building located in Mayfair, Central London.
The centre piece of the lobby will be formed by a new bronze cast reception desk complemented by bespoke built-in furniture and reflective wall linings.
THE GABLES
This new project is located in North West London. Three previously vacant warehouses are converted into residential accomodation and new office spaces.
The project will go on site soon and is scheduled for completion by end of this year.
NEW ENTRANCE LOBBY FOR MARCONI HOUSE COMPLETED
Marconi House at the Strand in Central London is a residential development of approximately 61,000 sqft, providing 86 luxury apartments.
'Patalab has designed the new lobby, featuring an undulating glass wall, leather clad reception desk and bespoke loose furniture. Changing lighting scenes, prestigious materials and a terraced internal promenade provide a generous and dynamic entrance space in response to the prominent setting.
Collaboration between 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
The team of ‘Patalab, UberRaum Ltd and Bauraum Konstanz won 1st prize in an invited competition for the Nabu Nature Reserve Centre near Lake Constance.
Located adjacent to the reed, the new centre forms a close relationship with it’s natural surroundings. The central 2-storey high exhibition space spans across the entire building and is closely linked to the outside via generous openings. A cafe and event space near the main entrance welcome the visitors approaching from the close by train station, whilst offices and accommodation for researchers are located towards the calmer rear of the building.
Latest sustainable technologies such as geo thermal heating, photovoltaic and heat pumps have been inte- grated into the building, in tandem with locally sourced natural materials. This ensures that it performs sustain- ably as an energy-plus building, producing more energy over the course of a year than it consumes.
This new garden staircase connects the generous terrace on raised ground floor level of the Ambassador's Residence with its garden five meters below. It extents the outdoor space that is used for formal and informal festivities. Whilst colour and materiality of the staircase respond to historic precedents within this Grade I listed ensemble, the detailing of the connections, the slenderness of side elevation as well as the contrast between exposed and lacquered stainless steel reveal the contemporary nature of the staircase.
The design of the staircase has been developed in close collaboration with Christian Junge and Structure Mode.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: German Embassy in London
Location: Belgravia, London
Completion: January 2011
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: Christian Junge & 'Patalab
Structure: StructureMode
Tenderpixel Gallery
19 October - 10 November 2012
‘PataSpaces is a collaboration between 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd and exhibits three different fields of
work:
- The Poet’s Garden by Uwe Schmidt-Hess:
A cybernetic garden of sensitive machines
investigates dynamic notions of architecture in
which objects and shapes are absent but where
spaces are elastic, ephemeral and vagrant.
- The Lost Spaces of Stiller by Markus Seifermann:
Using the novel ‘Stiller’ by Swiss author Max Frisch
as a trigger, the topic of identity is discussed by
collaging fragmented spaces as an approximation
to an invented personality.
- Realized Buildings: A built portfolio which
encompasses residential, commercial and
governmental projects.
The viewers are invited to study the margin between the works in order to explore the ‘PataSpace.
More information at www.tenderpixel.com
'PataSpaces
Tenderpixel, 10 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4HE
19 Oktober - 10 November 2012
'PataSpaces zeigt 3 sich beeinflussende Arbeitsstraenge von 'Patalab Architekten:
- The Lost Space of Stiller
- Des Dichters Garten
- Fertiggestellte Gebaeude
http://www.tenderpixel.com/
Dear clients and business partner,
After four years of successful collaboration,
Uwe Schmidt-Hess and Markus Seifermann have decided to carry on their professional work in independent practices.
Uwe Schmidt-Hess will continue to lead 'Patalab Architecture. Markus Seifermann has established the London based architecture and media firm UberRaum.
London, 01 February 2013
PROJECT COMPLETED, ARGYLL HOUSE
Following an 18 months construction period this extensive refurbishment and remodelling of a 5 storey, 150 year old town house situated in the heart of Kensington Conservation Area has been completed.
To find out more about the project: Click here.
BAUSTELLENFORTSCHRITT, SANIERUNG DER DEUTSCHEN BOTSCHAFT IN LONDON
Die vor etwa einem Jahr begonnenen und von 'Patalab koordinierten Sanierungsarbeiten an der denkmal-geschuetzten Residenzfassade der Deutschen Botschaft in London stehen kurz vor der Fertig-stellung. Diese ist fuer Ende des Monats geplant. Rechtzeitig zu den Olympischen Spielen wird sich somit die Bundesrepublik angemessen im Vereinten Koenigreich praesentieren koennen.
Um mehr ueber das Projekt zu erfahren, hier klicken.
PROJECT COMPLETION, REFURBISHMENT OF THE ZDF TELEVISION STUDIOS IN LONDON
The extensive refurbishment and remodeling of 'Patalab designed ZDF Television Studios in West London has recently been completed. Following an intense 9 month construction process, the upgraded 7 storey Grade II listed Town house now provides state of the art studio and broadcasting spaces.
To find out more about the project: Click here.
To watch a documentary about the construction process: Click here.
MID SUSSEX DESIGN AWARD 2012,
THE COPPICE & APRIL HOUSE
Our recently completed projects in Balcombe, The Coppice and April House have been shortlisted for the Mid Sussex Design Award 2012.
To find out more about The Coppice: Click here.
To find out more about April House: Click here.
Architekturzentrum St. Gallen
01 March until 23 April 2010
When is the architect in a position to cultivate and respond to the guiding ideas set out before him by the great sociologist Henri Lefebvre, with a project which evolves from the desire to create a specific spatial experience, before considering the built form of the architecture?
When we think about the act of building, this concept is one that is very quickly forgotten, as space becomes a result of three dimensional forms, which can be on one hand tangible and experiential, but on the other influenced by rigid regulations, planning guidelines and budget. Imagine the realms of architecture that could be reached if these all too prevalent restrictions were substituted by Lefebvre's recommendations.
In this spirit 'Patalab creates designs and concepts from the fundamental research of spatial experience. Part of this creative range, are two architectural installations exhibited in the Architectural Foundation of East Switzerland, St. Gallen. By questioning these supposedly settled spatial arrangements, new architectural potential is demonstrated. Architecture as generator for a general truth, does not exist anymore, it, alternatively, emerges from the irregular and idiosyncratic.
This work takes "Stiller” from the novel “I’m not Stiller” by the Swiss author Max Frisch as a metaphor for the search for an identity as a lost space. The identity is formed in the dialectic of multiple perspectives, in order to create an entire work out of fragmented points of view.
The collected fragments of information are put together at this collage table. Their new order starts forming an approximation of a new identity; however: Architecture provides the scope to create an identity consisting of different fragments. The Architect becomes the collagist of information.
MARCONI HOUSE, NEW ENTRANCE LOBBY IN LONDON'S WEST END
The fit out of the entrance lobby space has started, windows and entrance doors are installed already and preparation works for the internal finishes are on the way.
Completion is scheduled for end of August this year.
More about the project: click here.
Located in a residential area in the north of Berlin, Ziesel House is planned as an eco-friendly timber frame house.
In response to the densely populated surrounding, the L-shaped layout embraces the south facing private garden and protects it from views of adjacent properties. Interior and exterior spaces are closely interwoven. While the living area on ground floor opens directly onto the garden, two terraces are embedded between the bedrooms on the upper floor.
Part II Architectural Assistant
`Patalab Architecture is a dynamic practice with offices in London and in Germany. Our projects range from residential, television studios, government buildings to exhibition design. We are looking for a highly motivated Part II Architectural Assistant to work on exiting projects in the UK and abroad.
To be considered for this position, the candidate must have:
-Minimum two years’ experience in an architect’s office
-Excellent communication skills: verbal, written and
graphic
-Strong detailing ability
-Proficient in Microstation and a good knowledge of
the Adobe Suite
-Ability to work on several projects simultaneously
-Experience of working with project clients and design
team members
Please send your CV and portfolio examples to: careers@patalab.com
Salary: Negotiable and commensurate with experience
Start: Immediate
This work takes “Stiller” from the novel “I’m not Stiller” by the Swiss author Max Frisch as a metaphor for the search for an identity as a lost space. The identity is formed in the dialectic of multiple perspectives, in order to create an entire work out of fragmented points of view.
The collected fragments of information are put together at this collage table. Their new order starts forming an approximation of a new identity; however: Architecture provides the scope to create an identity consisting of different fragments. The Architect becomes the collagist of information.
KIRSCHBLUETENHAUS IM SCHWARZWALD
Die Baustelle schreitet voran. Nachdem der vorgefertigte Holzrahmen innerhalb von nur zwei Wochen komplett errichtet wurde, kann nun der Innenausbau beginnen.
RENOVIERUNG DER LONDONER ZDF FERNSEHSTUDIOS.
Als Teil einer Dokumentation wurden Daniela Ziegelmueller und Markus Seifermann zu ihrer Arbeit an diesem Projekt interviewed.
Um die Dokumentation zu sehen, hier klicken.
CHERRY BLOSSOM HOUSE IN THE BLACK FOREST
The construction of this eco friendly timber frame house is nearing completion in May this year.
Pre-fabrication of walls, ceilings and roof have ensured an extremly short period on site. Following the errection of these elements within two weeks only, interior works are now well under way.
More about the project: click here.
RENOVATION OF THE ZDF TELEVISION STUDIOS IN LONDON
As part of a documentary Daniela Ziegelmueller and Markus Seiferman have been interviewed on their work on the project.
To watch the documentary click here.
PUBLICATION OF 'PATALAB PROJECTS
Swiss Magazine Tec 21, a journal on Architecture, Engineering and the Environment, has published Markus Seifermann's Project "The Lost space of Stiller" and Uwe Schmidt-Hess' "The Poet's Garden" in its issue on narrative architecture.
More about Tec 21: Click here.
The property renovated is an 18th century, Grade II listed building in Hampstead, North London.
Once a modest three storey house with a stable it is now a two bedroom flat over three floors that sits above a ground floor shop on the High Street.
The renovation was a two year endeavour that was characterised by the task to preserve the historic fabric and identity of a thoroughly rotten and broken structure, whilst trying to design and construct a contemporary inspiring living environment.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Hampstead, London
Completion: September 2011
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
Structure: StructureMode
Service Engineering: Serge Lai Engineers
"Cloudspaces" will allow visitors to experience immaterial qualities of space such as air density, humidity, light and temperature, revealing dimensions of architecture beyond the object.
An indoor cloud based on the physical phenomena of saturated air and condensation droplets floats in the Arsenale space. Spanning from wall to wall, the cloud forms a soft ceiling layer at the height of three metres. Visitors experience the crossing of the two metres thick cloud via a ramp with a continuous slope which is installed along the perimeter walls. Guided by an illuminated handrail, they arrive at a platform above.
'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd have developed the concept of the exhibition as partners of Transsolar.
Architekturzentrum St. Gallen
01 March until 23 April 2010
Collaboration between 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
When is the architect in a position to cultivate and respond to the guiding ideas set out before him by the great sociologist Henri Lefebvre, with a project which evolves from the desire to create a specific spatial experience, before considering the built form of the architecture?
When we think about the act of building, this concept is one that is very quickly forgotten, as space becomes a result of three dimensional forms, which can be on one hand tangible and experiential, but on the other influenced by rigid regulations, planning guidelines and budget. Imagine the realms of architecture that could be reached if these all too prevalent restrictions were substituted by Lefebvre's recommendations.
In this spirit the exhibition shows designs and concepts that form fundamental research of spatial experience. By questioning these supposedly settled spatial arrangements, new architectural potential is demonstrated. Architecture as generator for a general truth, does not exist anymore, it, alternatively, emerges from the irregular and idiosyncratic.
ETH Zurich 19.February until 13.March 2009
The Max Frisch-Archive in Zurich preserves the literary legacy of the world-famous Swiss author and has commissioned 'Patalab to curate and design this spatial interpretation of Frisch’s novel "I’m not Stiller". 'Patalab was responsible for concept development, design and planning, as well as for the entire realisation of the project at the ETH library in Zurich.
Markus Seifermann’s artwork formed the main body of the installation and was accompanied by the work of three artists who specialize in sound and film.
Opened on 18th February 2009 by critically acclaimed litterateur Peter von Matt, The Lost Space of Stiller attracted an overwhelming response by experts, the public and the press.
Exhibition review by N. Schwaller: Hier klicken.
Exhibition review by ETH Life: Hier klicken.
Video about the exhibition: Hier klicken.
TEAM
Exhibition design: 'Patalab
Art work: Markus Seifermann
Sound artist: Michael Shaw
Film: Dan Farmer
Bondage: Esinem
Text: Matthias A. Amann
Lighting: iGuzzini illuminazione Switzerland
Holzboxen: Straehl Holzbau, Bunner Holzbau
Uwe Schmidt-Hess
Markus Seifermann
Daniela Ziegelmueller
Sam Aitkenhead
Michele Brackx
Rebecca Charles
Liam Davis
Annabelle Fuchs
Roaya Garvey
Simon Wyn James
Sacha Leong
Matt McAleese
Oliver Osborne
Nicholas Szczepaniak
Jordan Thompson
Jonathan Walker
Michael Wihart
Daniela Ziegelmueller
The construction of space between geometry and language forms the core of the project. Its investigation leads to the creation of a cybernetic garden in which sensitive machines are set in ecological relationships with each other.
The seeds of the garden are sown in specific “memory-locations”. By removing the surface between time and objects, conversations between these locations are established. Geometric, mechanical conditions are set against released soft events, which unfold transient spaces. The territories of singular objects are extended, inhabiting changing gaps between the machines.
A paper in connection with this project has been published in Janus Head 9.1, a Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature, Continental Philosophy and the Arts.
info@patalab.com
info@patalab.com
PATA PATA by MIRIAM MAKEBA
CASA ROJO, REFURBISHMENT IN NORTH-WEST LONDON
After a two year endeavour Casa Rojo in Hampstead is completed.
Once a modest three storey house with a stable, the Grade II listed building now accommodates a contemporary and inspiring flat with patio and
roof terrace.
The property renovated is an 18th century, Grade II listed building in London.
Once a modest three storey house with a stable it is now a two bedroom flat over three floors that sits above a ground floor shop on the High Street.
The renovation was a two year endeavour that was characterised by the task to preserve the historic fabric and identity of a thoroughly rotten and broken structure, whilst trying to design and construct a contemporary inspiring living environment.
Location: Hampstead, North-West London
Client: Private
This Grade I listed residence building forms part of one of four grand terraces facing Belgrave Square, West London. Built 1825 by George Basevi in Graeco-Roman style, the five storey terrace features giant fluted Corinthian columns, projecting Doric porches and a continuous first floor balcony.
The facade has suffered from weathering and poor levels of craftsmanship in previous renovations. Patalab’s work is to reinstate the historical character of the building. This involves detailed site analysis of existing features, materials and structures in preparation for close cooperation with authorities and consultants. The restoration uses specialised craftsmanship and materials befitting the historical character of the building. The building will remain fully occupied during the works, and due to the sensitive nature of the building the works will involve a high level of security.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Federal Republic of Germany
Location: Belgravia, London
Completion: December 2012
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab
Structure: StructureMode
Costs: MDA consulting
POST QUARTERS RAVENSBURG
'Patalab are delighted to have been short-listed in an open architectural competition for the redevelopment of the Post Quarters in Ravensburg, Germany. Selected from more than 100 entries we are invited to develop the proposal further. Our response to the brief is to turn the area around the railway station into a gateway to the city, binding together a heterogeneous site into a coherent, engaging and efficient development.
The proposal for the urban redevelopment of the Post Quarters is a sympathetic composition of space and scale that augments the long-established identity of the Quarter with a newfound clarity of function, form and direction. It aims to enhance the connection between the old town of Ravensburg, the railway station, and the bus station by defining distinct axes of direction through the development.
The Quarter is broken down into a compilation of complimentary buildings which accomodate a hotel, offices and retail areas. They reflect the surrounding context and integrate the existing building, using the building edges to increase the visual impact of the passageways that form between. The passageways, balconies and courtyard form a new space of tranquillity, as well as creating further thoroughfares between the station and the city.
The new Postal Quarter binds together a heterogeneous site into coherent, engaging and efficient development. It is the gateway to the city and the starting point for the revitalisation and redevelopment of Ravensburg.
PROJECT CREDITS
Collaboration between 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
EMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, RENOVATION OF RESIDENCE FACADE
Construction works have commenced for the restoration of the Ambassador"s Residence, a Grade I listed building that dates back to the year 1825. It forms part of the grand terrace of houses along Belgrave Square in West London.
Following successful planning and tender process "Patalab now supervises the works on site up to completion.
ZDF GERMAN TELEVISION, LONDON
Westminster council has granted planning permission and listed building consent.
The 7 storey high building will be substantially renovated, providing flexible and highly efficient office and broadcasting spaces. Works on site are to commence end of May 2011.
Following an invited competition by the ZDF Headquarters in Mainz, ‘Patalab has been commissioned to fully refurbish and partially remodel the London studio.
This Grade II listed building is a grand early 19th century terraced town house, rebuilt on the site of two existing older houses in the late 1820s. The prime location south of St. James’s Park creates the ideal home for the ZDF German Television with its studios and office spaces.
The 7 storey high building will be substantially renovated to provide flexible and highly efficient office and broadcasting spaces in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, while re-instating historic features of this imposing townhouse.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: ZDF Television, Mainz
Location: City of Westminster, London
Completion: February 2012
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: ‘Patalab
Structure: StructureMode
Climate Engineering: PHA Consult, London
Acoustics: Sandy Brown Associates
Bespoke Chandelier: Isabel Hamm
Located between Baden-Baden and Strasbourg, the Cherry Blossom House is a private residence, set in the breath-taking scenery of the Black Forest. The site is located in Achern-Moesbach, a village known for its cherry trees and related products like the famous Cherry Schnaps.
‘Patalab has been commissioned to design this home for a young family with a clear focus on sustainability. The eco-friendly timber frame building fulfils all requirements for a KFW70 rating, saving 30% of primary energy. Furthermore all materials are being sourced locally, including wood-wool insulation and Douglas fir timber cladding.
From its new home, the family will enjoy the view into the tree tops of the surrounding cherry trees.
THE COPPICE, PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN MID SUSSEX
Construction works are progressing for this new built residence for a young family. Beginning of June the ground floor timber frame has been erected, forming the main structural element of this eco friendly house. It will offer all the comforts of contemporary design while retaining the intimate connection with its rural setting.
Follow closely the progress on site via our client's blog. Click here.
Situated within the Strand Conservation Area in the heart of London's exclusive West-End, this imposing Grade II listed building will provide a 5 star hotel and 86 prestigious apartments.
‘Patalab has been commissioned to develop a striking design for the main lobby area. Located at The Strand opposite Somerset House, the lobby provides a generous entrance space creating a terraced internal promenade in response to its prominent setting. A curved glass wall forms the main feature in this dynamic welcome area for both visitors and passers-by.
PROJECT DETAILS
CLient: Galliard Homes
Location: 334 Strand, West London
Completion: January 2013
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: ‘Patalab
Lighting Design: Light Bureau
MARCONI HOUSE, LONDON: A NEW MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY
As part of this major reconstruction project ‘Patalab has been commissioned to design the main entrance lobby of Marconi House, a high-end residential development within the heart of London’s West End. Located at The Strand opposite Somerset House, the lobby will provide a striking entrance space creating a terraced promenade in response to its prominent setting.
Currently on site, the project will be completed by late summer this year.
GERMAN EMBASSY LONDON, RENOVATION OF RESIDENCE FACADE
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany has appointed 'Patalab to co-ordinate the renovation of the entire facade of the Ambassador's Residence, a listed Grade I building that dates back to the year 1825. It forms part of the grand terrace of houses along Belgrave Square in West London.
ARGYLL HOUSE, PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN WEST LONDON
Following demolition works and the insertion of an elaborate steel frame, the sub-structure for the new staircase has been installed. Receiving stone and timber finishes, it will provide a new visual and physical connection between all five floors of this extensivly refurbished house.
Completion is scheduled for February 2012
view projekt
Extensive refurbishment and remodelling of this 5 storey, 150 year old town house situated in the heart of Kensington Conservation Area, included the construction of new Lower Ground floor extensions to both the front and rear as well as the erection of a new roof structure to provide additional space for a young growing family.
During the 18 months construction period all internal partitions and floors were removed, the height of the Lower Ground floor significantly increased and a new steel frame inserted. This has enabled the creation of a new spatial arrangement throughout the house. In response to the narrow but long footprint, the layout configuration of the three principal floors was completely opened up, creating what is for this building typology an unusually generous spatial flow between the party walls. Rooms are naturally lit from both the street and garden, allowing light to travel deep into the house whilst enjoying undisturbed vistas to the outside.
The heart of the house is defined by a winding staircase; a brushed metal balustrade, comprising of more then 5000 individual parts, reflects both natural and artificial light. Uprights of varying diameters are arranged in a subtle rhythm enhancing the undulating geometry of the stairwell whilst the ribbon like quality of the balustrade sweeps through each and every floor.
Bespoke joinery compliments the home, with custom made light fittings and switch plates as well as individual display areas for the client's extensive art collection. The materiality of the finishes ranges from natural oak in both white oiled and dark fired finishes, through to warm coloured lime stone and brushed stainless steel. Exceptional attention has been paid to the detailing of these finishes, driven by a commitment to create a contemporary interior which echoes the high level of craftsmanship of Victorian era.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Kensington Conservation Area, London
Completion: August 2012
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab
Structure: StructureMode
Service Engineering: Serge Lai Engineers
Lighting Design: Chiaroscuro
ZDF LONDON TELEVISION STUDIO
'Patalab in collaboration with TMD, PHA consult and Elemental Structures has won an invited competition to transform the ZDF London Television Studio. The listed Grade II seven storey high building south of St James Park will be substantially renovated, providing flexible and efficient office and broadcasting spaces.
Applications for Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent will be submitted later this year.
WORK WITH US ...
We are looking for talented and enthusiastic Part II Architectural Assistants to join our expanding team, working on a variety of exciting new projects both in the UK and abroad. Candidates should be passionate about architectural design and the way things go together, with demonstrable detailing/ site experience.
To express your interest please send a CV and examples of previous work to info@patalab.com
As part of the highly conserved Ladbroke Terrace in Notting Hill this Grade II listed building is a valuable asset to its historical context. Acknowledging the status of the building, the remodelling and refurbishment provides a spatial configuration in sympathy with its original building fabric. Previously seperated into three different flats with cellular layouts, the 6 storey house is transformed into a modern open living accomodation for a young family.
The terrace is situated between a highly articulated urban street realm and a magnificent communal park. Responding to this threshold condition, the interior provides a high degree of spatial permeability, drawing the light of the street and the lushness of the park deep into the house. While a more direct link with the park on ground floor has been established, hidden terraces on the top of the building provide stunning vistas across city and tree tops.
The design process has been undertaken in close consultation with the conservation authorities and involved a team of architectural historians, engineers and designers to create an imposing, yet respectful interior for this residence.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Ladbroke Estate, Notting Hill, London
Completion: August 2010
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
Interior Design: Uta De Veer
Structure: Michael Blacker Partnership
Service Engineering: CBG
This project is currently on site and will be completed in summer this year.
This Grade II Listed Building in the heart of Hampstead seeks to be refurbished and its status as premises for a residential home reactivated. The proposal endeavors to renovate the listed features enhancing the character of the building through the reinstatement of its paneled interior contrasted by contemporary insertions.
With the new 2-storey rear addition to the house accommodating high quality living space to first and second floors, a seamless transition to an internal courtyard and access to a roof terrace is provided with the inclusion of a new bespoke glazed facade.
Uwe Schmidt-Hess Dipl-Ing, Architect, M.Arch, ARB, RIBA , AKBW
studied architecture at the Bauhaus-University Weimar, Oxford Brookes University and the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL London, supported by scholarships of the German National Academic Foundation, InWent & DAAD. Proir to co-founding Patalab, Uwe worked in leading practices including Fink+Jocher and Make Architects. Alongside practice he has been Diploma Tutor at the Bartlett School of Architecture and has taught at Kingston University, the University of Greenwich and the University of East London.
Markus Seifermann Dipl-Ing, Architect, M.Arch, ARB, AKBW
studied architecture at the HTWG Constance and at the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL London, as a DAAD Scholar. He worked in Germany, Canada and the UK for practices including Behnisch Architects, Auer+Weber, Zeidler Roberts and Make Architects before co-founding Patalab. Markus has lectured in Germany, Switzerland and the UK. He has taught at Kingston University in London and has tutored Diploma unit DS14 at the University of Westminster School of Architecture.
Watch the YouTube Video
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
Hiyo mama hiyo ma nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
Saguquga sathi bega nantsi Pata Pata
"Pata Pata" is the name of a dance we do down Johannesburg way. And everybody starts to move as soon as "Pata Pata" starts to play - whoo
AHP, Architectural History Consultancy www.architecturalhistory.co.uk
Bollinger + Grohmann Engineers www.bollinger-grohmann.de
Christian Klette, Media Design info@1o11.net
Coe Design, Landscape Architecture www.coe-design.co.uk
Elemental Structures www.elementalstructures.com
Isabel Hamm, Artist www.isabel-hamm.de
KMCS, Quantity Surveyors www.kmcs.ie
Michael Anastassiades, Industrial Designer www.michaelanastassiades.com
Michael Shaw, Artist www.gluerooms.com
PHA Consult, Environmental Engineering www.phaconsult.com
Serge Lai, Service Engineering www.sergelai.com
TMD Building Consultancy www.tmd-surveyors.co.uk
There are no current vacancies.
Capital & City PLCGascoyne HoldingFrogmore PropertyGalliard Homes LimitedGerman Embassy in LondonMake LtdParkgate Aspen LimitedRS Investments LimitedStoneCrabs TheatreThe Estate Office ShoreditchTenderpixel Gallery
PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN MID SUSSEX
'Patalab has been commisioned to design a 250 sqm private residence
within High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The house will offer all the comforts of contemporary design while retaining the intimate connection with its landscape setting.
This private residence for a young family lies within High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Balcombe Conservation Area. The house offers all the comforts of contemporary design while retaining the intimate connection with its landscape setting.
In response to the context, the house has been split along the East-West axis into two volumes with a glazed gap in-between. The northern volume,
housing mainly utilitarian rooms, is clad in local stock brick and blends with its regular facade pattern into the traditional setting. Contrasting this the southern volume, accommodating flexible open-plan living areas and bedrooms, is clad in timber and fully glazed towards the garden. Light and views are drawn into the heart of the home.
The entire structure has been designed to minimise environmental impact and be sensitive to the rural location.
Get an insight into the construction process via our client's blog. Click here.
AWARDS
- 2012 Mid Sussex Design Award: shortlisted
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Balcombe, Mid Sussex
Completion: February 2012
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
Structure: Structural Solutions
Transsolar Klima Engineering + Tetsuo Kondo
Cloudscapes allow visitors to experience immaterial qualities of space such as air density, humidity, light and temperature, revealing dimensions of architecture beyond the object.
An indoor cloud based on the physical phenomena of saturated air and condensation droplets floats in the Arsenale space. Spanning from wall to wall, the cloud forms a soft ceiling layer at the height of three metres. Visitors experience the crossing of the two metres thick cloud via a ramp with a continuous slope which is installed along the perimeter walls. Guided by an illuminated handrail, they arrive at a platform above.
'Patalab has been Transsolar's partner in the concept finding process for this spectacular exhibit at the 12th International Architecture Biennale in Venice.
FURTHER INFORMATION
http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/exhibition/
NATIONAL HEALTH
"Really, what is life about? You get sick and die. That's it. So you've just got to keep busy"
Andy Warhol,diary entry 26 March 1986
The underlying aim and ambition of Studio 14 is to explore and test the demands and needs of the 21st Century. This year we are looking at the huge field of Medicine. This seemingly familiar subject will allow plenty of room for speculation, invention and architectural interpretation. Topics will range from the homeopathic to the psychopathic. London will be used
as a resource and the site for work.
The year is structured as a series of sub projects with one central project. Initial investigations are designed to develop a range of thinking tools and skills, that provide an alphabet of techniques and attitudes. The projects are not just illustrations of a theoretical position, but a reflection of the individual students character and experience tested against a collective group conversation.
The field trip was to Barcelona in February 2010.
RAUMEPISODEN l SPACE EPISODES
is a new 'Patalab exhibition in collaboration with the
Architectural Foundation East Switzerland in St. Gallen.
DATES
Monday, 01. March 2010: Podium discussion and Vernissage
Monday, 12. April 2010: Guided tours + Q&A with Uwe Schmidt-Hess
Friday, 23. April 2010: Finissage and guided tours + Q&A with
Markus Seifermann
DOWNLOAD Invitation
FURTHER INFORMATION
Architectural Foundation East Switzerland
Davidstrasse 40
Postfach
9004 St.Gallen
Tel: +41 (0)71 371 24 11
Fax: +41 (0)71 371 24 34
web: http://www.a-f-o.ch
IN DISCUSSION
As part of the exhibition "Raumepisoden/ Space Episodes" at the Architectural Foundation East Switzerland in St. Gallen Uwe Schmidt-Hess and Markus Seifermann will dicuss their work with philosopher and journalist Ludwig Hasler. Read his column here
Monday, 01 March 2009 at 6 pm
Architectural Foundation East Switzerland St. Gallen
Davidstrasse 40
Postfach
9004 St.Gallen
Tel: +41 (0)71 371 24 11
Fax: +41 (0)71 371 24 34
web: http://www.a-f-o.ch
PROJECT COMPLETED
After a construction period of 12 months, Park House in Notting Hill is completed. The design process has been undertaken in close consultation with the conservation authorities and involved a team of architectural historians, engineers and designers to create an imposing, yet respectful interior for this residence.
Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the house occupies a sheltered plot of land that slopes towards the south west and is defined by high hedges on three sides. This remodelling of the existing 1960's detached property reinforces the relationship between the house and its surrounding and provides additional space in response to the changing needs of a growing young family.
The spatial flow within the existing house has been entirely reorganized to ensure all inhabitable spaces are south-facing. Oriented towards the garden, they benefit from views and maximum levels of natural light. The centre of the house becomes a three storey high entrance hall, forming a space of intersecting horizontal and vertical vistas.
Set into the softly sloping garden, a ground floor extension accommodating the living room and study, is orientated to the hillside and offers spectacular views.
In keeping with the design concept of harmonising with its setting, the building is designed to optimise energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Measures include the installation of an air source heat pump, solar panels, high performance thermal double glazed windows and an extensive green roof to the extension. Materials are locally-sourced and construction undertaken by local firms and craftsmen.
AWARDS
- 2012 Mid Sussex Design Award: shortlisted
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Mid Sussex, England
Completion: May 2010
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab
Structure: Bridgespound
Service Engineering: David Beattie Associates
Paper by Uwe Schmidt-Hess published in Janus Head 9.1
Janus Head is a Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature,
Continental Philosophy and the Arts
GROUP EXHIBITION
Sacha Leong, Uwe Schmidt-Hess, Markus Seifermann, Hiro Sube, Esther Smithey-Eckrich, Michael Wihart
In the ambition to establish conversations with the mythical side of architecture, the six architects have created architectural systems in which spatial qualities become elastic, fluid, ephemeral, and vagrant.
Sacha Leong creates a scaleless topography in which the mundane reveals its second identity, unleashed by the possibilities of biotechnology. Uwe Schmidt-Hess explores shifted spaces as part of a machinic ecology. Markus Seifermann uses literature as a trigger for discussing the topic of identity collaging fragmented spaces. Esther Smithey-Eckrich deals with the alteration of systems by factors such as time, duration, wear, and searches for ways of calibrating these changing conditions. Hiroyuki Sube develops a series of music-space instruments forming a cybernetic landscape that is shaped by the musician’s stimulated memories. And Michael Wihart delves into the realm of soft machinery and examines transient modalities in the communication process between a remote prosthetic and its double.
GROUP EXHIBITION
Helene Appel, Alex Gross, Alexander Heim, Steffi Klenz, Uwe Schmidt-Hess, Markus Seifermann, Martina Schmuecker
Grand Coalition is an interdisciplinary group show featuring the work of 7
young German artists and architects. Their motivation to get into perspective their German background led them to the UK where they have been living and working for the past year. Necessarily, shifts in location and context have acted on some level as triggers in the production of many of the pieces in this exhibition, bringing to the surface ideas of Germaness in a British setting. But displacement and relocation also offer freedom and independence for critical positions. Eyes are stimulated to see beyond stereotypical perception.
After a year of individual activity within the UK, we have come
together to present an exhibition comprising painting, photography,
performance, sculpture, video, animation and collage. In challenging this familiarity with the inclusion of the work of architects alongside that of fine artists, we believe that the idea of the interdisciplinary is kept vital and dynamic within this exhibition. In each piece subjective views are reflected. Set next to each other, they form a dense assemblage – a topology of materialised experiences. The individual works interweave with eachother, contrasting and expanding their contents. Disciplinary boundaries fluctuate – a coalition is formed.
POSSIBILITIES OF EXCHANGE
Today’s innovations in technology, science and media are not only pushing the limits of what is feasible, but also the boundaries of our imagination. In this world thought is freed from rationales and conclusiveness transcending the dichotomy of natural versus man-made, biological versus technological, analytical versus intuitive. Events emerge between users and their architectural surroundings - a hitherto unknown poetic transference unfolds new possibilities of exchange between man and architecture.
Our lives are invigorated by fractured memories of virtual others, space has left the conventions of authorship, possession and materiality. But do the events on the horizon of cyberspace leave us untouched? How do we stretch our existence between our own cybridisized representation and our mind that resides in our organic body? Externalized memories and events, machinic prostheses, robots, clones – man’s attempt to produce an artificial synthesis of his own image leaves us contemplating the idea that architecture could not only be constructed from inert matter.
Based on the premise that in a not too distant future we will share our spaces with physical descendants of cyberspace that exhibit properties of intelligence and life the unit will speculate how architecture will be inspired by these new human relations.
This year’s projects will propose hybrid interventions that migrate between the common strictures and nomenclatures of digital, mechanical and biological, becoming models of innovation as well as imaginative devices that investigate alternative spatial realities.
More information
MIGRATING THRESHOLDS
Art protects us from the desert of reality, its one-dimensionality and the complete usefulness and banality of our existence. This is achieved by luring us into new and extraordinary emotional, experiential and intellectual states. In search of original pleasure, architectural designers often endeavour to challenge the unknown but feel restrained by the consequences of the known. We couldn’t care less.
There are spaces where duration and memory are compressed. Thresholds can be spatial, chemical, social, etc. They always have potential and they are the sites of change. The term ‘threshold’ describes moments of transitions. How do we record it? How do we, as architectural designers, imbue thresholds with meaning?
In its first year the unit has zoomed into transitional practices and observed rites of passage and their relevance to our coexistence and in turn invented new passage tactics and rites and responded with articulate architectural observations, experiments and propositions. We have explored thresholds between craftmanship and experimentation; between the excellence of the expectable and the failure of the experiment. We understand thresholds as sites of potential beginning, contact connection, immersion and their antagonists at the same time.
More information and student works
When is the architect in a position to be able to respond to the guiding idea set out by the great sociologist Henri Lefebvre: That he needs to be clear about the space first, before starting to think about the architecture? When we think about the act of building, this idea is easily forgotten. Then space normally means something three dimensional which on the one hand is tangible and can be experienced by our senses but on the other has to respond in the first instance to rigid regulations, planning guidelines and budgets. However, what spheres can be reached, when following Lefebvres recommendation!
In this spirit ‘Patalab conducts design based spatial research. This includes two architectural installations, presented as "Space Episodes" at the Architectural Foundation of East Switzerland in St Gallen. By questioning supposedly settled spatial agreements, new potential of architecture is demonstrated. Architecture as generator of a general truth does not exist anymore. Rather it emerges in the irregular and idiosyncratic.
Read exhibition review by Ursula Badrutt Schoch
DATES
Monday, 01. March 2010
Podium Discussion and Vernissage
Uwe Schmidt-Hess and Markus Seifermann will discuss their work with Ludwig Hasler
Monday, 12. April 2010
Guided tours + Q&A with Uwe Schmidt-Hess
Friday, 23. April 20010 - Finnisage
Guided tours + Q&A with Markus Seifermann
For further information please contact:
Architektur Forum Ostschweiz
Davidstrasse 40
Postfach
9004 St.Gallen
http://www.a-f-o.ch
The proposal to create a "Green City Lounge" provides a dynamic, metropolitan attraction that will impose a catalytic redevelopment on the adjacent quarters of the old city. An urban square, free from cars, is at its centre. Aligned by two new mixed use buildings, the square is woven into the existing city fabric and extends Munich’s network of courtyards and passages.
Two green ramps ascend up to 7 metre above street level and terminate in balconies, offering new views onto the surrounding quarters. The square between the ramps is a stage for urban life not only during the day. At night it transforms into an event space, facilitating open air cinema, dance or music performances.
The nothernmost of the two proposed buildings, takes a prominent position in the cityscape. Open to all directions and shading the sloping green space below, it is the built link between the existing pedestrian zones in the north, and the new pedestrian axis towards the South of the city.
The RGZM (Roemisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum) is an internationally-active research institute for archaeology. Research projects extend from the earliest human history into the middle ages.
This new museum is designed to form a landmark and a gateway building in the city centre of Mainz. It combines three different museums with a library, as well as conservation workshops and laboratories for the researchers.
Located next to the existing museum for ancient navigation the concept suggests a new urban link to important archeological sites in close proximity. The entire ground floor acts as a public platform for special exhibition- and educational purposes. Each of the three museums is situated in an individual cone, allowing for a maximum user-flexibility. All museum-cones are open to the public area on the ground floor. Additionally the research centre embraces the arrangement at a sky-level, offering excellent daylight conditions and quiet workspaces for restoration work.
The Landscape Architect, Structural Engineer and Environmental Egineer were involved from an early stages to respond to this complex brief.
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab and UberRaum Ltd
Landscape Architects: Coe Design
Structure: Bollinger + Grohmann
Klimaengineering: Transsolar
“And yet, - strange truth – no one was ever seen entering or exiting the studio. The whole thing seemed to be sealed off, impenetrable, with no one inside to run the controls. It is rumoured that there are a thousand ways to enter the workshop and a thousand-and-one to exit, but there is no door. And that is precisely about what the studio was dreaming…”
Loris Greaud in his introduction text to the Cellar Door project and opera
Art protects us from the desert of reality, its onedimensionality and the complete usefulness and banality of our existence. She achieves that by luring
us into new and extraordinary emotional, experiential and intellectual states. In search of original pleasure, architectural designers often endeavour to challenge the unknown but feel restrained by the consequences of the known. We couldn’t care less.
There are spaces where duration and memory are compressed. Thresholds can be spatial, chemical, social, etc. They always have potential and they are
the sites of change. The term ‘threshold’ describes moments of transitions. This very moment is the threshold between our past and future. This is true
whenever one reads it. How do we record it? How do we, as architectural designers, imbue thresholds with meaning? Architecture is the built threshold between our being in the world and the world itself - but only if
we allow it to be.
We will zoom into transitional practices and observe rites of passage and their relevance to our coexistence and in turn invent new passage tactics and rites and respond with articulate architectural observations, experiments and propositions. We will explore the threshold between craftsmanship and experimentation; between the excellence of the expectable and the failure of
the experiment. We will remember that thresholds are always sites of potential beginning, contact connection, immersion and their antagonists at the same time.
“They, who cannot dwell on the threshold of the instant moment, forgetting all past, who cannot stand there like a goddess of triumph without fear and vertigo, they will never know what happiness is, and even worse: they will never do something that makes other people happy.”
Friedrich Nietzsche in The Untimely Meditations
Springing off an initial set of studies on threshold conditions Year 4 students will articulate an experimental building brief dwelling on and responding to a specific site while Year 5 students will develop experiments and propositions that scrutinize a specific threshold condition, identified by each individual student.
http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/architecture/programmes/units/unit24.htm
Workshop for Master of Architecture students in collaboration with Imperial College London, Department of Aeronautics
The penomena of fluid dynamics such as chaos, vibration, turbulence, movement, transition and change leave us questioning the idea of stability and equilibrium. Commonly understood ideas of stability have been extended to the stability of dynamic systems. Forces, masses and inertias become attractive agents for the design process. These concepts are used to explore the potential of architectural phenomena to change.
CONCEPT & WORKSHOP LEADERS
Nadir Abdessemed
Uwe Schmidt-Hess
Markus Seifermann
Michael Wihart
This Victorian Grade II listed building within the Grosvenor Estate in West London has been substantially refurbished, creating an elegant and distinctive home in which the original historic detailing is balanced by contemporary insertions. Ornamental plaster work, wall paneling, and fire places have been restored, while the interior spaces are reorganised to provide more representative and flexible living accommodation tailored to the client’s needs.
The ground and lower ground floors have been extended to gain space for an additional bedroom and a generous kitchen flooded by sun light via a large opening towards the sky. An 150 year old reclaimed Oak floor installed throughout the house binds the four storeys together and is contrasted by bespoke integrated furniture.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Grosvenor Estate, Westminster, London
Completion: August 2009
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab
Structure: QED Sturctures
Service Engineering: mda consulting
RAUM OF REQUIREMENTS
The word RAUM contains multiple meanings some seemingly at odds with one another. That requirement can be delight and as Charlie Brown said:
"What I need is more hellos".
Episode 01 - The prototypical objects
The students need to uncover subject, object, location and allegories of their own device by considering the following:
ephemeral / permanent
invisible / visible
mass / unique
local / global
interior / exterior
repetition / absence
linear / fragment
clear / misunderstood
The first task is to construct six pieces of text and collages that correspond with the above.
Raum (der)
n. room, compartment of space marked off
by walls within a building
space: two- or three-dimensional area, open space, outer space
place: jurisdiction, district, region, area, capacity, premises, site, grounds
(Babylon dictionary)
Require
Verb (required, require)
1 a to need something; b to wish to have something
2 to demand, exact or command by authority
3 to have as a necessary or essential condition for success, fulfillment, etc.
requirement noun
1a a need b something that is needed
2 something that is asked for, essential, order, etc
3 a necessary condition
ETYMOLOGY: from Latin require to seek for, from quaerere to seek or search for.
(Chambers dictionary)
Episode 02 - Field trip to Berlin, Germany
November 2008
The construction of space between geometry and language forms the core of the project. Its investigation leads to the creation of a cybernetic garden in which sensitive machines are set in ecological relationships with each other.
The seeds of the garden are sown in specific “memory-locations”. By removing the surface between time and objects, conversations between these locations are established. Geometric, mechanical conditions are set against released soft events, which unfold transient spaces. The territories of singular objects are extended, inhabiting changing gaps between the machines. Interior conditions are projected into the exterior, where they ignite further reactions. Traces of processes are harvested, encounter individual intuition and influence the surrounding members in their performance.
The Max Frisch-Archive in Zurich preserves the literary legacy of the
world-famous Swiss author and has commissioned Patalab to curate and design this spatial interpretation of Frisch’s novel I’m not Stiller. Patalab was responsible for concept development, design and planning, as well as for the entire realisation of the project at the ETH library in Zurich.
Markus Seifermann’s artwork formed the main body of the installation
and was accompanied by the work of three artists who specialize in sound and film.
Opened on 18th February 2009 by critically acclaimed litterateur
Peter von Matt, The Lost Space of Stiller attracted an overwhelming response by experts, the public and the press.
Read exhibition review by NoeMie Schwaller
Read exhibition review by ETH Life
Watch the video of the exhibition on YouTube
Client: Max Frisch-Archive, ETH-Bibliothek Zurich
'Patalab’s role: Artwork, Exhibition Designer & Lead Consultant
TEAM
Artwork: Markus Seifermann
Sound Artist & Designer: Michael Shaw
Film: Dan Farmer
Rope Bondage: Esinem
Text: Matthias A. Amann
Lighting: iGuzzini illuminazione Schweiz AG
Construction: Straehl Holzbau, Bunner Holzbau
Identity is a space, formed by the inner world of each person. This inner view relies on the perception of other people with different viewpoints, opinions and prejudices.
The name Stiller is taken from the novel “I’m not Stiller” (1954) by the Swiss author Max Frisch and is a metaphor for the search for an identity as a lost space.
Frisch once confided to his diary: “What is important is the unsayable, the space between the words, while those words are always talking about secondary things that we don’t really mean.” This is precisely the theme of The Lost Space of Stiller: the search for the unsayable.
This remodeling of a Neo-Georgian villa with a new built extension sits within a generous garden. Extending over three storeys, the house features study, kitchen, dining and living spaces on the ground floor. A cantilevered stone staircase along a gentle curve in the double storey high entrance hall links this area with the bedrooms above. Conceived as an evolving sequence of spaces, the interior opens out towards its surroundings and acts as a vessel for the ever changing quality of light.
The palette of internal materials comprises polished plaster, beige limestone, cast bronze and American walnut. This is complemented by an exceptional attention to detail reflected in bespoke door handles, light fittings and joinery - an approach supported by the client’s commitment to achieving the highest quality design and craftsmanship. Although highly elaborate and complex, the design respects the domestic scale and history of the house.
AWARDS
- 2008 Winner/ Natural Stone Awards
- 2010 Winner/ LDSA Building Excellence Awards
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: Hampstead, London
Completion: May 2008
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: make
Structure: Techniker
Service Engineering: Mendick Waring
Lighting Design: Light Bureau
Bespoke Chandeliers: Isabel Hamm
This project to refurbish a semi-detached Victorian villa situated within one of London’s Arcadian conservation areas focuses on increasing the spatial connectivity between the house and its garden and within the house itself.
In response to the building’s existing four floors, a series of double-storey high volumes have been inserted into the fabric. Spaces are linked horizontally and vertically, opening up unexpected views within and beyond the house. A tapered staircase, approaching a 4.5 metre high glazed opening, leads from the entrance hall on a raised ground floor down to garden level where the kitchen area extends into the exterior via a sunken terrace.
Dark natural materials such as Belgian Basalt and stained Oak are contrasted by bespoke designed joinery pieces in light finishes.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Location: North West London
Completion: August 2009
PROJECT CREDITS
Architects: 'Patalab
Structure: Michael Blacker Partnership
Service Engineering: Serge Lai Engineers
Lighting Design: Chiaroscuro
info@patalab.com
‘Patalab is a London based architectural practice. We offer a full range of services from concept design and planning to techincal design and site supervision, conceiving and realizing contemporary high quality spaces and places.
Our expertise includes the planning and realization of innovative new buildings, remodeling of existing buildings as well as the conservation of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings. In addition we design bespoke interiors and built-in furniture. We have completed a number of well received high-end residential, commercial and public schemes for private, corporate and government clients.
Inspired by ‘Pataphysics, a philosophy and artistic movement dedicated to exploring the imaginary and what lies beyond the realm of physics and metaphysics, ‘Patalab operates as an innovative design practice and delivers intelligent and memorable solutions in response to our clients’ varied requirements by understanding their needs and ambitions.
'Patalab is a Chartered Practice of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
New headquarters for fashion group Esprit EDC in Germany
with Make Architects
This competition-winning scheme creates a flagship headquarters building for fashion brand EDC, in which the creative process is on display as much
as the fashion and accessories which are the end product.
A crystalline asymmetrical structure emerges from the ground plane, creating a building in which showroom spaces, product display areas and design and administrative work stations are fluidly interlinked and communication and visual connections are maximised to dynamic effect. Five floors, each differing in plan, are bound together by a sinuous asymmetrical void which twists upwards through the heart of the building. The sense of fluid connection is further enforced by a ramp that spirals up the perimeter of the central void to form a spectacular promenade.
Awards
2008 Commendation MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project
Team
Structure: Bollinger + Grohmann Ingenieure, Frankfurt
Klimaengineering: Transsolar, Stuttgart
Facade: Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG, Muenchenstein-CH
Project Management: BMP Baumanagement GmbH, Koeln
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‘PATALAB is a London-based architectural practice. We offer a full range of services from concept design to site supervision, conceiving and realizing contemporary high quality spaces and places.
'PATALAB operates as an innovative practice and delivers intelligent and memorable design solutions in response to our clients’ varied requirements.