bilding. Kunst- und Architekturschule Innsbruck
Not a school in the conventional sense, but a place for creative experimentation, no-pressure development, and courageous action, the “bilding” school is an impressive exemplar for teaching and learning.
Emerging from the educational programs of the Tyrol architecture center “aut. architektur und tirol”, bilding was established ten years ago and today offers a unique environment for the creative development of children and young people—unparalleled in Austria and beyond. The City of Innsbruck provided the site, in the centrally located Rapoldipark. There, a building was erected that is as special as its contents. Initiated by a committed civic collective determined to actively respond to the needs of young people, the project was both designed by students of the Innsbruck Faculty of Architecture and built by them, together with professional tradespeople, in just three months. The flowing, 240-square-meter space extends from the foyer into three workshop areas, which can be opened out to the generous outdoor space.
bilding is a place that allows for everything and yet still takes a stance, a place that encourages participation, change, and co-creation. Its raw, almost provisional construction—cross-laminated timber with a membrane façade and simple detailing—demonstrates how little is actually needed in construction, how excessive our demands and standards have become, and how architecture is most compelling when focused on essentials. Despite its simplicity, the building feels warm and welcoming, even for children who may hold preconceived ideas of what a “house” should be. Rarely has a conceptual program been translated so consistently into architecture: Collective motivation, a spirit of experimentation, free thinking, self-organization, and trust in a strong idea are all tangibly present in this building. It is an expression of the fact that, more than ever, our society needs children and youths who believe in their creative competence and ability to shape the world.
[ bilding. Art and Architecture School for Children and Youth, Innsbruck ] Architecture: students of ./studio 3 at the University of Innsbruck, Supervisors: Walter Prenner, Verena Rauch. Design: Niklas Nalbach. Client: bilding. Kunst- und Architekturschule für Kinder und Jugendliche. Structural engineering: Alfred R. Brunnsteiner ZT GmbH. Planning and construction period: 2013–2015. Usable floor area: 240 m². Address: Amraser Straße 5a, 6020 Innsbruck, Tyrol.