The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Since the 1970s on the northern banks of Lake Geneva, it joined forces with Lausanne University to create Switzerland’s largest education and research centre. Although in recent decades several new buildings were added – such as the Rolex Learning Center by SANAA and the SwissTech Convention Center by Richter Dahl Rocha & Associés, these lacked an overall plan and the architectural vista is therefore rather patchworked. Large gaps between buildings are typically landscaped, yet here the site is dominated by barren, sealed ground. There is a distinct lack of pleasant areas with lush greenery, and it offers little appeal. This is a shortcoming that is expected to be resolved by the new master plan Ecotope, which was designed by architects 3XN and Itten+Brechbühl AG.

Focus on biophilic principles

All considerations concentrated on expanding the existing EPFL Innovation Park and its forthcoming makeover to mark the site’s 30th anniversary in 2022. Over recent decades, architecture has echoed the transformation experienced by technology and has undergone radical change.

Nowadays, progressive thinking is reflected to a lesser extent by imposing designs, and no longer by energy efficiency alone. Instead, the focus is on a wide range of architectural soft skills that are geared towards user benefits and the environment. As a result, green spaces and the use of biophilic principles are a high priority for Ecotope, as explained in the project description.

“Ecotope will be a campus that facilitates and generates disruptive innovative solutions by being the interface between EPFL and society at large,” remarks Jan Ammundsen, head of design and senior partner at 3XN. The result is a master plan that achieves an efficient use of space, adapts to the local climate, and breathes life into the whole site. “A green and social spine runs through the entire site and through the site’s main building, making it a strong design element with space for social encounters as well as for plants, birds and bees.”

Coincidence as an initiator

As 3XN founder Kim Herforth Nielsen explained in an interview with ubm magazine., the studio follows the principles of behavioural design. In other words, the manner in which space is designed has a direct influence on the people who use this space. The project description reads: “With the foundational aim of the Ecotope to bring different communities together, the main building is designed around the idea of serendipity.”

The term serendipity is defined as the chance observation of something that was originally not pursued, when this turns out to be a surprising discovery. Coincidence becomes the initiator of new ideas, and the architecture here is therefore intended to promote and cultivate such coincidence. “The layout of the building seeks to nudge the user groups to both meet each other formally and informally, fostering interaction through unplanned encounters.”

Circular and adaptable

Besides a focus on serendipity and biophilia, the future viability of this site is maintained by other design principles as well: circularity and sustainability. Bolt or screw connections are easily accessed and enable deconstruction of the individual units. Temporary walls and sliding doors are designed to guarantee the building’s future adaptability.

As regards the choice of materials, the master plan envisages use of recycled and recyclable materials. For the most part, the structure and facade of the buildings will be made of timber. A floor-to-ceiling height of 4.5 metres was chosen to allow maximum adaptability. “The aim is to create resilient architecture that fits both current and future needs,” the architects say.

Grätzel cell generates power

Nowadays, it goes without saying that the building will use minimum energy while producing as much of its own energy requirements as possible. A compact building volume, photovoltaic panels, natural ventilation and evaporative cooling will play a part in this.

An invention by one of the institute’s researchers could also help the building achieve the greatest possible degree of independence for its energy needs: the “Grätzel cell” is a bionics application that converts light energy into electrical energy.

Unlike with conventional solar cells, this enables transparent coloured panels to create an active facade. It was invented by Michael Grätzel, a Swiss chemist and professor at EPFL.

Grätzel has won numerous science awards for his discovery. And Ecotope is now expected to keep this research institute at the cutting edge with its architecture as well.

Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Visualizations: 3XN