Text description provided by the architects. The manifestation of a Finnish lifestyle seen through the eyes of 17 students from 10 different countries around the world. Kohta was inspired by a walk in the forest. With its straight, leaning and twisted elements it organizes nature into a wooden sanctuary. Due to its geometric composition and carefully designed elements, a variety of spaces are created, allowing the user to choose their experience within. Its purpose is to provide shelter from the windy and rainy winters while allowing open spaces during the summer months. Initially designed to serve Koria’s 2019 housing fair, this structure has become a city landmark. Serving as a train station, the design contemplates the users’ behaviour and interaction with their surroundings. Every module acts as a service area. Bike racks and information displays on opposite ends are positioned between the wall structures. At the center is the seating area, defined by the unobstructed views as the roof acts as a stabilizing element between modules.
Designed and built in such a way where the station was assembled in one day. Each module has three walls and a roof. In turn, the modules were crane lifted onto the truck and transported on site where fixing joints were used to secure each element in place. Kohta began as a train station study. However; throughout its design, development, production and assembly it became a valuable learning opportunity. Present within the details, it is a project showcasing wood as a viable building material.
Design Team: Daniela Alatorre, Anton Aluja, Maritta Antoniazzi, Bettina Baggenstos, Sofia Belova, Tamara Borges, Jon Farmer, Taisuke Hayashi, Theresa Herlich, Yu Kono, Esteban Lozada, Tomas Millan, Michika Nakamura, Kristian Penttinen, Juan Carlos Prazmowski, Kevin Silary & Minako Suzuki
Green Building Africa promotes the need for net carbon zero buildings and cities in Africa. We are fiercely independent and encourage outlying thinkers to contribute to the #netcarbonzero movement. Climate change is upon us and now is the time to react in a more diverse and broader approach to sustainability in the built environment. We challenge architects, property developers, urban planners, renewable energy professionals and green building specialists. We also challenge the funding houses and regulators and the role they play in facilitating investment into green projects. Lastly, we explore and investigate new technology and real-time data to speed up the journey in realising a net carbon zero environment for our children.
