The Rolex Learning Center

Rolex Learning Center

Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nichizawa

I was interested in the Rolex Learning Center because of the way it mimics and gently folds in to the land.  The use of concrete to create a unique texture, similar to the texture created by the concrete blocks in the Memorial to the Murdered Jews, caught my attention right when I saw the project.  Rather than using concrete to create a planar structure the building is composed of 2 shells.  What is most interesting about the structure, however, is that while to two levels are directly identical, they are constructed in different ways.  The construction of the top shell used steel for stability, while the bottom  shell used wood to make sure the structure would be aesthetically pleasing from the underside of the structure.  Since the two shells are directly parallel certain areas on the ground plane look up at the underside of the bottom shell.  This relationship between the bottom of the building and the ground plane reminded me of a more organic version of the Caixa Forum.

To prevent interrupting the fluidity of the space there are no stairs and only one elevator to control circulation.  All other circulation is controlled by the gentle slopes of the building.  I enjoyed this feature  because the building is still very accessible and easy to navigate but the form of the structure did not have to radically change to suit the people.  By this I mean that the fluidity of the structure remains the same and was not interrupted by special moments to accommodate the circulation.

Another very unique aspect of the design is the lack of definition in interior space.  The spaces are divided only by the fourteen "bubble" structures, which also function as patio spaces.  Similar to the Italian piazza, the building has circulation that is subtly differentiated from the programmed space.  Rather than having rooms for the library, classrooms, and other programmatic elements all items use the space freely.  When walking around it is hard to distinguish the end and the beginning of various programs.   While this is a unique open floor plan, I think it is well-suited for the building.  The simple structure and materials would be ruined if the space was divided into pieces rather than flowing together.

cutting shows the relationship between the "bubbles" the the two planes of the space

plan view looking down on bubbles to the ground plane