Krysalis

Arriving on the piazza, I sit down and wonder what’s to it with the curved brick walls. My eyes jump between the almost blind brick walls on one side and the voids created in-between. While walking a bit further the blind walls open up and the voids closed depending on my view point. I keep on walking back and forth, until I see the alps appear at the horizon through the voids of the curved wall sequence.

I get the feeling of being led by the curved form itself. the shadow play articulated by concave and convex segments makes me stop for a moment, wondering whether I am now on the inside or the outside of the curve? Slightly puzzled by some bright reflections, I observe someone’s hair being cut in the inner courtyard. curiously I approach the hairdresser in front of the sliding mirror. I enter and treat my nails with a new look, while someone next to me is getting a new hair colour. Observing the many faces and reflections, behind me the buzzing of a tattoo machine.

Happy with my new nails, I slowly go up the staircase. Arrived on the third floor, I am greeted by a bunch of people playing cards and drinking coffee. A bit further someone is reading poems out loud while walking up and down the arcades. I wonder about the transparency and mirror-effect of the glazing then I suddenly turn around and follow the scent of freshly cooked food. The open garage doors unite the inside and outside by completely opening the up the appartement. Allowing the small kitchenette to be rotated on the arcade. Cooking outside, isn’t it fantastic?

Intrigued by the counteracting forces of the convex and concave wall, I am standing in a niche embraced and protected, stepping out, I wonder who or what is behind that next bulge in the wall? And whether it seeks protection from me or is just in need of comfort? Stepping through the shower, I find myself looking down from the balcony. Heading to the big kitchen where I finally get to meet my new neighbours.

Project by: Florian Dervishaj

Teaching team: Anna Puigjaner, Barbara Bosshard, Claudia Thiesen, Dafni Retzepi, Jenny Schäubli, He Shen

Master Thesis: Autumn 2023