We were given a free hand in transforming the Strix Hall as part of Karolinska Institutet’s investment in modern learning environments. The spaces are to be designed in a way that stimulates interaction and an exchange of knowledge between teachers and students.
The inspiration for our work with Strix draws from the theatre world, a milieu in which the structuring of space brings about a natural contact between the actors and the public. The result was a flexible multi-purpose space for the purpose of lectures, debates, workshops and presentations.
The space is structured with two diagonally placed tiers at different heights which can be used either as stages or as audience seating areas. Slide shows and the audience’s focus are directed towards one corner of the space, which serves to liberate the teacher with respect to where she/he positions himself/herself within the space, thus departing from a traditional lecturing format.
Both the fixed and loose furnishings were carefully chosen to be hardwearing for a long life. Accessibility has been integrated in the form of a level gallery and seating area – a subtle solution incorporating a shift of hue in the carpet.