Designing the building for an architecture school is a high-pressure ask for most architects, as it should stand as an exemplar for all the students who pass through it over the years, and studio Aires Mateus has delivered. Rather than showing off the grand, whole potential of architecture, the studio opted to make use of negative space by creating a striking, home-shape hole in the outer courtyard.
The building, which is Universite Catholique de Louvain's Tournai campus in Belgium, features a full-sized cutout of a traditional home's shape. The metaphorical potential is tremendous in such a design statement. For one, walking through the home to access the university building itself symbolizes entering a place where students can feel like they're at home. Further, the empty traditional shape is encouragement for students to explore outside of established norms when building the next generation of structures.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Negative Space Designs
- The use of negative space in architecture and design creates visually striking and metaphorical design statements.
- Metaphorical Architecture
- Architectural designs that incorporate metaphorical elements provide deeper symbolic meanings and emotional connections.
- Exploration of Established Norms
- Encouraging students and professionals to think outside of established norms and explore new possibilities in building design and construction.
Where This Applies
- Architecture and Design
- The field of architecture and design can benefit from incorporating negative space, metaphorical elements, and encouraging innovation in building.
- Education
- The education industry can incorporate architectural designs that create a sense of homey and comfortable environments for students.
- Construction
- The construction industry can explore new methods and techniques that challenge established norms and foster innovation in building construction.
