Kering Group HQ
Budapest 2023
Headquarters
Project Pitch
Kering group’s mission is to promote genuine, expressive, and sustainable Luxury. The project uses locally-sourced limestone and robotic wire-cutting to tectonically express the brand identity.
Stone is an element that is culturally constructed as valuable and precious. By using new technology on this historical material, it can express new aesthetics with the softness and craftsmanship of fabric.
For the fabrication of stones, I brought in robotic wire cutting to create curving surface finishes while cutting the stone block. The hardness of stone contrasts with the softness of fabric-like curves.
Considering stereotomy, specific geometric rules and correspondences set the relationship between system and part. It is used to create the joint between elements, shadows on surfaces, and openings and apertures in the project.
Tectonically, stone is contrasted with metal in different ways in the three main spaces.
The lobby is an atrium that is surrounded by load bearing limestones. It is a centralized space where everyone passing through will experience the space. It is enhanced by the cantilevering platform spiraling up to reach all levels. The stone has several types of cuts, with real windows, fake windows, and doors.
The skyshop is a contrast between stone and the truss, creating a very bright space with scattered shadows. The overlaying curving walls allows visitors to meander through this maze. The products are partially revealed and partially hidden behind these curving walls, creating a exploratory shopping experience.
The launch venue has translucent stone laminated stone glass, contrasted with mesh ceiling and furniture. It is a dark, intimate and dramatic space that focuses the attention on the products to be launched. The translucent walls shows that there is an event inside, while not being totally visible from the outside.
Internally, the atrium provides horizontal and vertical connection to programs housed in different volumes stacked on top of each other.
From the exterior, the heavy masonry is set in an articulated glass enclosure with contrasting tectonics. The lobby protrudes to make a mark on the street façade.
Post Tensioned Stone System
For the assembly, it uses the post tensioned stone system within the load-bearing atrium walls.
Credits and Data
Instructor:
Prof. Greg Lynn
Studio Assistants:
Bence Pap
Kaiho Yu
Maja Ozvaldic
Kering Group HQ is exhibited as part of the Angewandte Festival 2024.
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