On 13 May 2008, the Faculty of Architecture of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) was unexpectedly reduced to ashes by a devastating fire.
It was shocking to see how this sturdy building, which was full of valuable collections and always bustling with activity, turned out to be so vulnerable.
Both in a material and an emotional sense, the fire was undoubtedly a major loss.
The fire shook the foundations of the Dutch architectural community. Nevertheless, this community soon joined forces to set to work again.
The Faculty of Architecture in Delft was already renowned the world over for its decisive, innovative and pragmatic approach.
And it is precisely thanks to this characteristic attitude that the Faculty’s sorrow regarding the loss was coupled with an enthusiastic and unflagging energy to enter a new phase. Indeed, the loss of the faculty building also offers new opportunities.
Opportunities to take a fresh and critical look at the education of the future, opportunities to realise a modern, innovative and refreshing design for the university building, which can hold its own in terms of power and presence with the well-known Bouwkunde building from the years of Van den Broek and Bakema.
Precisely because it intends to realise this specific ambition, the Faculty of Architecture has decided to organise an open international ideas competition, in preparation of a project competition for the new faculty building in 2009.
Jury:
Liesbeth van de Pol (Chair, Chief Government Architect, The Netherlands)
Mark Wigley (Architect, Dean of Columbia University's Graduate School, USA)
Rahul Mehrotra (Architect, Professor Department of Architecture MIT, USA)
Yung Ho Chang (Architect, Professor and Head Department of Architecture MIT, USA)
Herman Hertzberger (Architect, Emeritus Professor TU Delft, The Netherlands)
Kees Kaan (Architect, Professor TU Delft, The Netherlands)
Ole Bouman (Director of NAi, Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Wytze Patijn (Architect, Dean of Faculty of Architecture TU Delft, The Netherlands)
Leanne Reynen (Student Faculty of Architecture TU Delft, The Netherlands)
Herma de Wijn (Secretary, Architect, The Netherlands)
Deadline for registration : 6 November 2008, 12 noon Dutch local time
Deadline for submissions : 13 November 2008, 12 noon Dutch local time
Complete informations available at:
http://www.buildingforbouwkunde.nl/ideascompetition/Home/tabid/72/Default.aspx
