For our ongoing seriesFundamentals, were looking at different companies worldwide and the basic principles they were built on.
The practice was founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos.
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The tools are featured inKnowledge Matters, a 400-page handbook explaining how and why architects can use them.
These tools are the starting point of all our designs, Van Berkel continues.
Which ones we pick varies per project, but we usually use two or three per design.
The last one is a sculptural, yet structural element expressing movement.
Like all the design tools, The Twist is developed to help buildings age as well as possible.
It does so by incorporating an open space without columns in the room where its positioned.
The initials UN stand for United data pipe, a reference to the companys collaborative nature.
UNStudio employs people from 27 different countries, with various technical and creative backgrounds.
Twenty years ago, the leading architect would make a sketch and tell his employees what would happen.
Now, the architect gives a thematic reflection on where and how a design can grow.
I shouldnt be the only one taking part in the design.
Breaking with tradition
Preventing randomness wasnt the only reason UNStudio decided to work with the design tools.
Buildings are less rigid in form than they used to be, Van Berkel explains.
Maybe most importantly, the design tools should arm new buildings against the test of time.
Whats considered unconventional today might be mainstream in a few years.
Trendiness vs. timelessness
Its an interesting design philosophy.
According to Van Berkel, thats not the case.
While UNStudio certainly has its own style, the similarities between buildings are not that obvious.
Take the train station in Arnhem for example, which has The Twist.
We use that spiral design in five different projects.
Once you know that, youd be able to spot the similarities.
But youd have to discover those elements first.
And thats what makes the design even more interesting.
