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Material Library
Material Library
Karlsruhe, Germany
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Material Library
Karlsruhe, Germany
At KIT in Karlsruhe, in the Faculty of Architecture, a circular materials library for students, interested parties, and professionals has been created in cooperation with STUDIO-MRA and the Chair of Sustainable Building.
The material library serves as a repository and source of knowledge for innovative building materials of the past, present, and future. It is conceived as an analog and digital repository of knowledge that invites learning, research, and experimentation.
The existing premises in the historic building of the Faculty of Architecture, dating from 1898, were completely restored to their original structure. The east wing of the faculty, which was destroyed during the war, was restored in 1956 using the resources and techniques available after the war. These dendrochronological layers of time were exposed in the course of the intervention. Among other things, the supporting structure, which served to stabilize the façade but no longer bears any load today. In this way, history and construction can be experienced and form the framework for the exhibition of sustainable materials of the future.
In the course of revitalizing the material library, care was taken to ensure that all building materials used for the room installations, furniture, and constructions came from the Urban Mine or had already completed one life cycle. All media installations were made visible. The recyclable constructions are completely free of adhesives or silicones and are constructed using single-material components. This results in a climate-positive CO₂ balance and allows for dismantling and single-material separation.
The combination of existing and found building materials and building in existing structures
creates a harmonious and strong spatial character. Towards the hallway, large-format panes are used in the existing wall openings to improve findability and presence in faculty life. All elements that define the space have been finished in light colors, contrasting with the dark furniture, which puts the material samples in the right light and focus. The 15cm x 15cm material samples can be borrowed or examined for their properties at three integrated scanning stations. These are stored on digital data sheets, which are also available online, created by the Chair of Sustainable Building. In this way, haptic experience and digital space are interwoven.
The room concept allows for different usage scenarios. The movable rolling tables can be recombined as desired and moved under the gallery. This creates space for lectures and presentations. The gallery features workstations, additional material samples, and literature on sustainable construction.
Above the spiral staircase that leads to the gallery, the existing metal rotunda was transformed into a light feature. Before the renovation, it served as the soffit of the suspended ceiling. The coffered ceilings were transformed into light fixtures using indirect lighting installations. The movable tables and staff workstations are outlined on the ceiling by large-format, elegant light frames that serve as a second sky.
The circular material library at KIT represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the construction industry. It offers access to a diverse selection of environmentally friendly and circular building materials. In this way, it contributes to reducing the ecological footprint of construction projects while maintaining creative freedom.
The material library serves as a repository and source of knowledge for innovative building materials of the past, present, and future. It is conceived as an analog and digital repository of knowledge that invites learning, research, and experimentation.
The existing premises in the historic building of the Faculty of Architecture, dating from 1898, were completely restored to their original structure. The east wing of the faculty, which was destroyed during the war, was restored in 1956 using the resources and techniques available after the war. These dendrochronological layers of time were exposed in the course of the intervention. Among other things, the supporting structure, which served to stabilize the façade but no longer bears any load today. In this way, history and construction can be experienced and form the framework for the exhibition of sustainable materials of the future.
In the course of revitalizing the material library, care was taken to ensure that all building materials used for the room installations, furniture, and constructions came from the Urban Mine or had already completed one life cycle. All media installations were made visible. The recyclable constructions are completely free of adhesives or silicones and are constructed using single-material components. This results in a climate-positive CO₂ balance and allows for dismantling and single-material separation.
The combination of existing and found building materials and building in existing structures
creates a harmonious and strong spatial character. Towards the hallway, large-format panes are used in the existing wall openings to improve findability and presence in faculty life. All elements that define the space have been finished in light colors, contrasting with the dark furniture, which puts the material samples in the right light and focus. The 15cm x 15cm material samples can be borrowed or examined for their properties at three integrated scanning stations. These are stored on digital data sheets, which are also available online, created by the Chair of Sustainable Building. In this way, haptic experience and digital space are interwoven.
The room concept allows for different usage scenarios. The movable rolling tables can be recombined as desired and moved under the gallery. This creates space for lectures and presentations. The gallery features workstations, additional material samples, and literature on sustainable construction.
Above the spiral staircase that leads to the gallery, the existing metal rotunda was transformed into a light feature. Before the renovation, it served as the soffit of the suspended ceiling. The coffered ceilings were transformed into light fixtures using indirect lighting installations. The movable tables and staff workstations are outlined on the ceiling by large-format, elegant light frames that serve as a second sky.
The circular material library at KIT represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the construction industry. It offers access to a diverse selection of environmentally friendly and circular building materials. In this way, it contributes to reducing the ecological footprint of construction projects while maintaining creative freedom.
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