MVRDV’s transformation of JUT Foundation’s new 240m2 lecture hall takes into consideration that although it is a functional space for talks and events, it is also a public installation due to the carpeted landscape that makes it more inviting, comfortable and attractive to users. So yes it a form of public architecture but one that takes a more unconventional design inspired by the natural landscape. The hall will be used by a variety of audiences and connected to the exhibition programme in the gallery of JUT Foundation located on the ground floor. It is a new typology for a lecture hall with its own unique work of art; a single, large-scale textile artwork by Argentinian artist, Alexandra Kehayoglou. Alexandra was perfect for this project because there is such a commitment she has to craftsmanship and these pieces she makes are the result of a laborious hand-tufting process to fabricate wool carpets and rugs that mimic natural textures like moss, water, trees, and pastures. The carpets can transform an entire room (like we see here in the lecture hall) echoing a green landscape.

JUT Foundation’s new lecture hall is a form of public architecture taking on an unconventional design inspired by the natural landscape that is inviting, comfortable and attractive to users. This new typology for a lecture hall features a unique work of art; being a single, large scale textile artwork by Argentinian artist Alexandra Kehayoglou entitled 360 ° Panorama. The pieces result from a laborious hand-tufting process to fabricate wool carpets and rugs that mimics natural textiles like moss water, trees and pastures. The result is an immersive landscape, offering a silent cave to stop and experience.  More from the Manufacturer:

360 ° Panorama is a site specific textile work that covers the whole of the JUT lecture HALL in Taipei, Taiwan. This work celebrates and immersive landscape, offering a silent cave where to stop and experience.

This project is the biggest project done by myself and my studio so far, representing a big challenge in terms of stretching out my work to a new dimension and limits within the fusion world of arts and architecture.

My work explores the forensic understanding of how the landscape is changing through time with the presence of humans. My work intends to change the speed of time and the way human beings go through it. Textiles can be approached in many ways. This is what makes them so powerful.

In each piece I try to restore landscapes that could be decimated or that could disappear with the advance of mankind back to their pristine state. For example, in No longer creek - the installation I presented with Artsy at Design Miami/ Basel’s Design at Large- I recreate the Raggio creek, located in the North of Buenos Aires. This landscape is extended in beautiful green natural lentil carpets. It´s topographic features are of great interest for the city where I live, since the creek is the only course of transparent waters that flows into the River Plate. Unfortunately, it was put at risk by irresponsible municipal policies. It´s banks were badly damaged by different activities concerning the ongoing process of economic and technological modernization. Finally, thanks to the neighborhood assembly and the untiring work and commitment of activists, the creek was saved by means of a legal resolution.

This work generates a physical effect that allows the possibility of entering a new state of consciousness. The viewer can interact, make use of the rug, touch it, step on it, and therefore be part of a unique and unrepeatable moment which is captured with a camera . This space textile practice addresses the dynamics of change that go along with the transformation in urban landscapes. In a way the viewer is immersed in a timeless stage where everything starts again. I try to visualize how nature struggles to survive in a hostile environment. In a way, I try to restore this creek back to life, to its natural, prehuman state. The creek is brought from past to present and at the same time it creates consciousness about what our future could be.

My work’s conception happens in many levels through the investigation and analysis that I make of the landscape situation around me. There are many things that trigger me. Nature is not a static thing, neither is an artwork. The study of textures from ancient times, fossils, information that has been frozen in rocks, branches, animals, insects are all starting points for my pieces. In this sense, my investigation as an artist has to do with the recovering of different components and elements present in nature to achieve a definitive testimony of the landscapes that would no longer be present. Making a documentation of landscapes that could be decimated or that could disappear with the advance of mankind allows me to reflect on the bigger picture the transformations that our land undergoes in response to negligent environmental policies that are going on in many parts of the world.

Perfettamente integrate nel suggestivo involucro tessile che qualifica l’auditorium Jut Group a Taipei, le poltrone L213 di LAMM confermano la vocazione internazionale dell’azienda nel campo dei sistemi di seduta evoluti per i settori conference, educational e per gli spazi pubbliciJut Group sviluppa attività commerciali di alta qualità da un punto di vista architettonico, degli interni, degli arredi, dell’arte e della cultura. La sala conferenze, che si trova nella sede principale del gruppo a Taipei (Taiwan), misura 240 mq e può ospitare oltre 200 persone. Il concetto di design del nuovo allestimento si basa sulla ricerca di MVRDV, studio di architettura e progettazione urbana di Rotterdam, e di The Why Factory, sulle potenzialità di futuri ambienti trasformabili, e sottolinea il costante impegno di Jut a collaborare con artisti, designer e architetti di grande talento.

“L’interno si presenta come un verde scenario da sogno che avvolge il pubblico”, afferma Winy Maas, co-fondatore di MVRDV. L’intervento si configura come un’opera d’arte che rappresenta il paesaggio naturale di Taiwan e allo stesso tempo risponde a specifiche esigenze funzionali a livello acustico.

Elemento caratterizzante della nuova sala conferenze è lo straordinario rivestimento interno, ispirato alla natura, realizzato dall’artista tessile argentina Alexandra Kehayoglou, che ha trasformato l’auditorium Jut Group a Taipei in uno spazio funzionale, confortevole e decisamente di grande impatto esperienziale.

Concepito come una vera e propria installazione artistica, l’involucro è stato prodotto a Buenos Aires nella tessitura di lana della famiglia Kehayoglou, utilizzando filati di scarto, con una tecnica di trapuntatura a mano che ha richiesto oltre un anno di lavoro. Imitando elementi naturali come muschio, acqua, alberi e prati, il rivestimento crea un suggestivo bosco di tessuto che si distende, senza soluzione di continuità, dalla pavimentazione alle pareti, offrendo un’atmosfera unica.

Per l’allestimento dell’auditorium lo studio d’architettura MVRDV ha scelto le poltrone L213 di LAMM, che spiccano per linearità e ritmo compositivo nell’insolito layout. Un sistema di sedute caratterizzato dalla compostezza dei moduli, così come dall’estremo comfort.

Le poltrone L213, rivestite in tessuto Kvadrat – Remix 2, sono state fornite nella versione con fiancate inclinate e installate con disposizione in curva, senza lasciare spazi tra un pannello e l’altro in modo da garantire l’assoluta continuità degli schienali. Le fiancate e il retroschienale sono stati realizzati in legno multistrato con finitura in rovere grigio.
Le fiancate destra sono inoltre dotate di tavoletta di scrittura ribaltabile, con movimento anti-panico.