OPENING: SITES of TRANSFORMATION as part of Salzkammergut2024

Date: June 8, 2024
Time: 3.00 pm

Location: Buddhist Center Gomde, Bäckerberg 18, 4644 Scharnstein, Austria

Together with the architecture departments of three universities – the University of Innsbruck, the University of Kassel and the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture – places of meditation and silence were created on the site of the center.
The 6 interventions were conceived as temporary, experimental structures that connect with the surrounding nature and appeal to the senses. They primarily worked and experimented with regional materials and production methods. The six interventions were implemented with the students in cooperation with local partners.

The “Places of Change” will open on June 8, 2024, as part of the Architecture Days and will be accessible to visitors to the Buddhist Center throughout the entire Capital of Culture year.

Program for the opening:

The opening ceremony will take place on June 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm will take place.

15:00: WELCOME

– Eva Mair, Cultural Capital Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024
– Rudolf Raffelsberger, Mayor of Scharnstein

– Birgit Meiche, Rangjung Yeshe Gomde

– Fiona Zisch (Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London UCL), Marie-Therese Harnoncourt-Fuchs (University of Kassel), Clemens Plank (University of Innsbruck)

– 3:30 p.m.: ROUND

Presentation of the installations by the protagonists.

– 5:30 p.m.: TALK

on the topic “Transformative power of meditation and architecture”moderated by Sabine Kienzer (curator, journalist) with Elisabeth Schweeger (cultural manager, dramaturge, artistic director of the Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024), Barbara Imhof (architect) and Eric Solomon (author, Buddhist teacher) and with representatives from the universities.

– 19:00: FEST

Festive finale for all the senses, with food and drink and DJ Scheibosan

I would like to stay overnight in Gomde

Project process:

The projects were developed over two semesters as part of teaching and research _ project studios, seminars and excursions, doctoral research _ at three universities. Each university has implemented two projects. The starting point of creating places of change and meditation in harmony with nature on the grounds of the Gomde Center was the same for everyone and was supplemented by an additional FOCUS at each university. This is how the University of Kassel developed and realized its sculptures using steam-bent larch wood, joints that can only be dismantled and AR technology. The University of Innsbruck has studied the technology of rammed earth and implemented it in its sculptures. Bartlett’s designs are based on extensive research from two PhD theses dealing with acoustics, space and performance.

In winter semester 23/24 Design and Concept and in summer semester 24 Elaboration and Construction.

We used the excursion weeks at the Gomde Center for workshops, site identification (scans), implementation on site and to immerse ourselves in Buddhist meditation rituals and thus gain our own experiences, ask questions and exchange ideas with the residents of the center, local experts and students from the other universities.

Architects involved:

– Arch. Dipl. Ing. Dr. Clemens Plank (University of Innsbruck, Faculty of Architecture)
A design studio director and teacher of architectural theory whose work is strongly influenced by neuroscientific research.

– Dipl. Ing. Dr. Miro Roman(University of Kassel, Institute for Design and Building Theory)
An architect and scientist interested in the interface of information technologies and architectural articulations.

– Prof. Mag. Arch. Marie-Therese Harnoncourt-Fuchs (University of Kassel, Department of Design and Building Theory) Architect and co-founder of the next ENTERprise Architects with Ernst J. Fuchs, who explore the performative potential for socially sustainable architecture in their installations and realizations.

– M. Arch. Sarah Blahut (University of Kassel, Department of Design and Building Theory)

An architect with more than 15 years of international experience and researcher in the field of augmented and mixed reality systems.

– Dipl. Ing. Dr. Fiona Zisch (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)
Program Director of MArch Design for Performance and Interaction. Architect and neuroscientist, researches at the interface of architecture, cognitive science and choreography.

– M.Arch B.Es PhD candidateJonathan Tyrrell (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)

A lecturer and researcher who investigates the relationship between sound, matter and architecture.

– M.Arch B.Arch PhD candidate, Alberto Fernández González (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, UChile FAU)

An architect and researcher who focuses on generative design and digital fabrication.

Project descriptions:
University of Kassel, Department of Design and Building Theory
Prof. Marie-Therese Harnoncourt-Fuchs with Sarah Blahut, Harun Faizi and the Students Adrian Sohl, Till Steyer, Sunijia Wang, Alina Ditenbir, Aaron Warkentin, Jonas Baumann, Chiara Nickolmann, Emmelie Schwegmann, Evelyn Kozlov, Meryem Nisa Demirel, Edwin Koch, Max Schulz-Helbach, Sara Fee Panzer, Malin Dettke only in WiSe 23/24 Mansoureh Khodadad, Abdulrahman Sibai, Lina Arlt, Sarah Mustaffa, Aaron Warkentin, Reham Alhadidi, Chiara Nickolmann, Musaddiq Aljirbi, Larisa Rosic, Sophie Sauer, Rico Pfleger, Juman Qawaf, Gawad Kayal,

Settle (University of Kassel)

An intervention in the forest, inspired by prayer flags. Prayer flags spread prayers on the wind into the surrounding area. Settle translates this thought into a figure that holds these prayers as an object. The location of the intervention is in the middle of the forest near a small clearing that allows for meditation in a state of suspension.

Surya (University of Kassel)

reflects the dynamic cycle of the sun salutation (yoga) by superimposing the twelve yoga postures. The ring-shaped lamellae fan out according to the breathing rhythm of the exercise. Access to the art installation is through an entrance that measures 160 cm across and triggers an intense transformation upon entering. The slats increase continuously until a platform is reached. The platform, from which you can watch the morning sunrise over the mountains, invites you to meditate.

Cellular Refuge (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)

Under the direction of Dipl. Ing. Dr. Fiona Zisch, Alberto Fernández González M.Arch B.Arch PhD candidate. Students: Bhagyashree Amle, Jr-Yun Lin, Bing Lu, Pranayita Myadam, Julia Zhu

This project deals with themes of complexity and collaboration with the aim of achieving harmony between man and nature. The scaffolding structure, delicately placed in the forest landscape, offers people, flora and fauna a place for meditation, collective growth and coexistence. Cellular Refuge serves as both a place to stay and a place to grow. Prayer flags, birds’ nests, moss and mushroom growth contribute to the further development of the structure.

Bardo (Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL)

Under the direction of Dipl. Ing. Dr. Fiona Zisch, Jonathan Tyrrell M.Arch B.Es PhD candidate. Students: Bhagyashree Amle, Jr-Yun Lin, Bing Lu, Pranayita Myadam, Julia Zhu

In Buddhism, the term bardo refers to a threshold between death and rebirth. Bardo creates a series of liminal states through sound, materiality and the surrounding landscape.
Visitors sit on the platform, which begins to vibrate at a low frequency and draws sound energy from the floor. The soundscape blends with the sounds of the surroundings, creating a unique meditative experience.

NIFTY NOOK (University of Innsbruck)
Management: Arch. Dipl. Ing. Dr. Clemens Plank and Dr. Miro Roman
Students: Angela Ballheimer, Beyza Aksoy, Carlo Spadaro, Cora Nill, Elias Brunmayr, Felix Murken, Filip Bernát, Finn Rothmann, Jonas Rachbauer, Julia Gasse, Leonard Bies, Lilly Schneider, Luis Meyer, Mara Ruperti, Maximilian v. Strachwitz, Pia Miedtke, Rosanna Meininger, Sophia Mertelseder, Vincent Devens, Vincent Reinhardt

is a manifestation of momentum. Inspired by Buddhist concepts of change, reincarnation and the constant flow of time and space, this place of experience and exploration is created – a spatial confrontation with transience. Built from local rammed earth and wood.

TASHI G’FÜ (University of Innsbruck)
Management: Arch. Dipl. Ing. Dr. Clemens Plank and Dr. Miro Roman

Students: Angela Ballheimer, Beyza Aksoy, Carlo Spadaro, Cora Nill, Elias Brunmayr, Felix Murken, Filip Bernát, Finn Rothmann, Jonas Rachbauer, Julia Gasse, Leonard Bies, Lilly Schneider, Luis Meyer, Mara Ruperti, Maximilian v. Strachwitz, Pia Miedtke, Rosanna Meininger, Sophia Mertelseder, Vincent Devens, Vincent Reinhardt

combines difference with sensitivity. In an increasingly networked and globalized world, interculturality is becoming ever more important: a project that formally combines Austrian tradition with Tibetan Buddhism and aims to create a space for encounters. Built from local rammed earth and wood.