Bunker Architektur

Mass: a main feature of concrete matter. An abstract but palpable concept that defines how we percieve the world and ourselves. Bunker: a forgotten and useless typology which endures the passage of time due to its mass. This powerfull, authentic collection of grey mass is the starting point for a research on human perception of architectural spaces.

From the beginning we wanted to work with an abandoned building to be able to explore an existing structure, its preconceptions and architectural significance. The choice for an air raid bunker was based on its undeniable inertia - a once completely functional and pragmatic building became passive, isolated and unjustifiable. The mass of the bunker is the main reason why it has resisted the absence of a new purpose - therefore it turns into the strongest argument for this architecture. A new usage allows the authenticity and strength of this grey mass to be properly experienced and creates a new junction between the historical building and its current context. The design of this project concentrates on making the spatial particularities of the bunker tangible, respecting its architectural and historical importance. Our focus was neither structural nor historical, but much more on the effect this structure has on people and how it is perceived. We wanted to research the human perception of architecture, which tools provoke what effect and how a preconception of such a strong, massive architecture can be changed. The new usage puts the human figure in the center, as the most important part of the building. Through their proportions, former experiences and senses, the individuals are able to experience the new interpretation of this standardised construction. In the sense of exploring the human sensibility, a new element was introduced: water. This new kind of mass triggers a pallet of different sensations and changes the way the individuals perceive their own body. With that the new program of the bunker is defined - thermal baths. With different water temperatures, humidity levels and atmospheres, the introverted structure turns into a small, but diverse inner-world where the individuals can concentrate on themselves and allow the architecture they are surrounded with to have an effect on them. We wanted to create a project based on human experience and sensibility. Through a long, experimental process we tested different scenarios, analysed its effect and decided delicately every intervention.