Reflection on the Wooden Structures Workshop - Brno 2012

A five and a half meter high wooden structure was built in a week by 18 students in the courtyard of the Faculty of Architecture at the Brno University of Technology. The design by architect Martin Rajniš is set to remain on the FA VUT campus until mid-November.

PROJECT AUTHORS:
prof. Ing. arch. Martin Rajniš – architect, e-MRAK architectural studio
Bc. Nela Gottvaldová – student of FA VUT, SOFA
Bc. Luboš Loibl – student of FA ČVUT, e-MRAK architectural studio

ACHIEVED GOALS AND EVENT REPORT:
The workshop took place from June 10 to June 18, 2012, as a collaboration between the independent non-profit civic association SOFA (Student Community of the Faculty of Architecture) and the architectural office e-MRAK, with great support from the Faculty of Architecture VUT and especially its dean doc. Josef Chybík, CSc.
The workshop was inaugurated on Sunday, June 10, 2012, with a lecture by prof. Ing. arch. Martin Rajniš. A week later, on Sunday, June 17, 2012, a glajcha - a celebration of the completion of the construction - was held. The dome was named Cecilka. The unforgettable atmosphere of the evening was enhanced by the great live music performed by the band Rádobynadoby.
In all stages of the workshop, students deeply familiarized themselves with various aspects of construction.
Building something with their own hands is an invaluable and highly beneficial experience for architecture students. However, it was not just about teaching construction techniques. The intention was also to create a strong and cohesive team capable of collaborating on a fairly complex division of labor. For a certain period, a unique working atmosphere reminiscent of a real medieval building site was established. The students even cooked together. The entire courtyard of the FA was filled with a relaxed and friendly mood that was not dampened by the whimsical weather. Students, teachers, FA staff, and external visitors gathered together after work for goulash, creating a great platform for meeting and chatting.

At the same time, the project aims to bring architecture, architects, and wooden construction closer to the general public. The project has received publicity in three programs on Czech Television, in printed newspapers, and on web portals. The transparent Mylar film, which is stretched inside the structure, was also tested on the construction site.

The project has significant implications. The installation of the original elevated dome created at FA can be repeated at various architecture schools. Other Czech, Austrian, and German universities have already expressed interest in this project format. The Faculty of Architecture VUT in Brno, through SOFA and e-MRAK, will become the initiator of this international cooperation, thereby contributing to the gradual return of Czech architecture to the European context.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER:
SOFA (Student Community of the Faculty of Architecture) is an independent non-profit organization that focuses on organizing events for students (workshops, lectures, seminars, etc.) and strives to improve the quality of education, increase expertise, and enrich academic life at the faculty.

Acknowledgments:
Our immense thanks for financial and all other support go to the Faculty of Architecture VUT in Brno. We also thank our other sponsors - the Secondary Polytechnical School Jílová Brno (joinery school Jahodová) and the companies Lumidée and Legia.

IMPLEMENTATION TEAM:
Bc. Nela Gottvaldová
Bc. Nina Ličková
Bc. Barbora Hladišová
Karolína Plášková

Šárka Červinková

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS:
Ondřej Bělica
Martin Blažek
Tereza Buryová
Tereza Dvořáková
Petra Krajčová
Jan Kraut
Bc. Karel Kubza
Lenka Ĺuptáková
Bc. Tomáš Madro
Martina Matušková
Tereza Novotná
Kristýna Panáčková
Dominika Petrů
Igor Serenčko
Bc. Jan Stratílek
Bc. Hana Typltová
Katarína Vankušová
Ing.arch. Michal Veselý