HIGHBRIS?
Towards New Highrise Typologies

Münster University of Applied Sciences, MSA
winterterm 2003-04

On September 11 th, 2001, two main symbols of 20th century modernism, plane and high-rise, crashed and were fused into one huge tragedy. Among others this attack led to a wide questioning of certain eternal values in the world of architecture (the priority of function over form, tectonics, sameness, homogeneity, repetition, type, etc.) and opened a discussion about overcome high-rise typologies.
Having been involved in various high-rise projects we decided to run a four weeks masterclass on the rethinking of common high-rise typologies. Based on the analysis and detailed understanding of specific existing or planned high-rises (as Fosters Hong Kong and Shanghai-Bank, Eisenman's Max Reinhardt House, OMA's Zeebrugge Terminal), the course developed a range of design-techniques.
These processual and generic techniques establish a consistent connection between relevant information, spatial organization and formal appearance.

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