From Soil to Structure - Material Exploration in a Vocational School

By Ferdinand Widmer

This diploma project envisions a space dedicated to educating craftspeople, an essential, yet often underappreciated, group that serves as the literal and figurative foundation of our built environment. At its core, this project is a school that examines how we educate future builders, aiming to broaden their understanding and strengthen their connection to the materials, tools, and processes that shape their craft.

Project image
Project type
Diploma project
Programme
Architecture
Year
2024

Supervisor:

Lisbeth Funck
Matthew Dylan Anderson
Kristine Annabell Torp

This diploma project envisions a space dedicated to educating craftspeople, an essential, yet often underappreciated, group that serves as the literal and figurative foundation of our built environment. At its core, this project is a school that examines how we educate future builders, aiming to broaden their understanding and strengthen their connection to the materials, tools,
and processes that shape their craft.

In the northeastern part of Oslo lies Stovner, a place where the city meets the forest. Stovner feels like the edge of Oslo, where urban life transitions into the forested expanse of Marka. This diploma project is based on the vocational school currently located on this site.

Project image
Project image
Project image

How can architectural design enhance the learning environment and social perception of vocational education?

The utilization of resources has been a guiding principle throughout the design process, with wood playing a central role in the building’s architectural expression. The design incorporates wood at varying levels of processing—from thick, raw timber logs to thin, refined veneers. These layers of refinement reflect the school’s focus on material processing and craftsmanship, symbolizing the journey from raw material to finished product. The architecture then becomes an integral part of the educational experience.


Contact

Ferdinand Widmer

Ferdinand Widmer / ferdinand.widmer@stud.aho.no

Published Dec. 12, 2024 5:37 PM - Last modified Mar. 20, 2025 5:21 PM