Studio led by Philippe Rahm (Philippe Rahm Architectes)

Assisted by Valentin Calame (studio chaos)

Building H on the HEAD campus, built in 1910 and renovated in 1944 by architect Jean Erb, was an industrial building originally belonging to the Tavaro factory, which manufactured sewing machines for the Swiss brand Elna. The building featured a concrete load-bearing structure and concrete façade infill with large windows. Because these façades were not thermally insulated, they caused significant heat loss in winter, resulting in additional energy costs and uncomfortable cold radiation for users due to the low temperatures of the walls and windows. With global warming and rising summer temperatures, the building also became uncomfortable due to heat penetrating from the outside and the large amount of solar radiation entering through its openings.

The studio was structured in three phases. First, students developed an understanding of modes of energy exchange through conduction, convection, evaporation, and radiation. Next, they studied and explored the spatialities and qualities specific to these four modes of heat exchange in a program-free exercise using a 6 x 6 x 6m volume. Finally, equipped with this technical and design knowledge, the rest of the semester was devoted to the thermal renovation project for Building H.

Experts were invited to speak throughout the semester, and classes were held to ensure that students fully acquired expertise on these issues, which are crucial today for comfort as well as for the cost and accessibility of energy.