The Nofrontiere studio. A truly never-ending building site. Over the years, a labyrinthine agglomeration of rooms behind the facade of Zinckgasse 20-22 were randomly integrated to host this multimedia company. The architecture is a temporal succession, a process of juxtaposition, superimposition and contra-diction of story. Constantly confronted with that which already exists, it is an amalgam of adaptation and rejection visible in the 10 years of different phases of construction and experimentation, 2 of which can be expanded upon.

To inform the extension of the existing studio, investigations explored the dynamic identity, diverse work rituals and the ever-changing needs of this growing company. Could a responsive architecture accomodate the unpredictable future of   self-described multimedia multimaniacs? Ultimately, no. Throughout the 2 year design-build process, many concepts for flexible infrastructures and mobile working were discarded for more subtle material gestures and formal metaphors.  

DESIGN SKETCHES

Recycled Austrian bricks articulate existing walls while wood panels mark the new walls before they become old walls. Strategically placed openings in the walls allow overlapping views across the central courtyard improving the internal communication between the spaces while also providing natural light. Through the displacement of the windows from movement paths to avoid collisions, window boxes protrude like retro-television screens onto the courtyard, metaphorical paraphrases of screen-orientation. We experimented with how to invoke the vitality of new interface technologies such as holographic presentation screens without neutralising the material qualities of the construction.

In retrospect, the identity and organisation of Nofrontiere proved to be too fleeting and unpredictable for the architecture to respond to, sometimes for the better, often for the worse. Other manifestations driven by the research and experience include the publication "In the Place of Coincidence" (2000), the internal discussion platform NF[Lab]yrinth and assorted to-date unrealised interventions such as a   concept for the NF website and   a interactive facade proposal.

Studio conception, design and realisation in a freelance collaboration with Nofrontiere Design and Dip. Arch. Axel Prichard-Schmitzberger [CELL].

> Related Links:
Nofrontiere Design AG
[CELL]