Invisibility en Vague
This project needed to satisfy three entirely unrelated contextural parameters: The Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH, a square kilometre plot in Sion, and a competition program for a cultural centre that had to be along second free of choice program.
We learnt to hide from robots, then to appreciate terrain vagues and finally how to hide a reactivated historical building from developers.
Robots — Myth
Looking at robots, we got interested in their spatial perception: LiDar. In order to teach ourselves how not to be seen by robots, we created fashion that hides from autonomous machines.
The devaluation map shows the impact and distribution of undesirable infrastructure. They help stabilising land prices by turning places invisible to investors.
TERRAIN VAGUE — SITE
In Sion’s Chandoline we found a Terrain Vague, providing space for a number of small scale, usages. Together they become carpet whose components are hidden from oversight, invisibility.
The terrain vague is powerful but fragile, only the Rhône now separating it from renewal masterplans.
Chandoline — Gem
The former hydroelectric plant is in great shape and is looking into reactivating it.
This endangers the terrain vague. We propose to pair the culture center with a gravel plant, to keep it invisible to developers.
Combining cultural activity during nighttime and weekends with the refining of concrete and gravel during the workhours.
In 1935 the chandoline was built around its 5 parallel generators, and the flow of water and electricity for each of them.
This is a great fit, since gravel plants typically produce 5 different grain sizes.
Our intervention is adding a ceiling structure that hosts everything but storage of the gravel plant. The same roof and provides ubiquitous mounting infrastructure for the culcultural center.
