Rolex Learning Center at EPFL

[tcom]

Hi

The EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) built a new building, the Rolex Learning Center. It is open to both students and the public and provides services, libraries, information centers, social areas, places to study, restaurants and cafés. The architects were Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. I visited this new building this morning:

Note: the photos were not taken with a fisheye lens...

1
K-7, DA12-24, 14mm, f/8, 1/400s, 100iso


2
K100D Super (ir modified), FA31, f/8, 1/200s, 200iso


3
K100D Super (ir modified), FA31, f/8, 1/320s, 200iso


4
K100D Super (ir modified), FA31, f/8, 1/250s, 200iso


5
K-7, DA12-24, 14mm, f/8, 1/20s, 100iso


6
K-7, DA12-24, 15mm, f/8, 1/25s, 100iso


7
K-7, DA12-24, 15mm, f/8, 1/250s, 100iso


8
K-7, DA12-24, 16mm, f/8, 1/50s, 400iso


9
K-7, DA12-24, 12mm, f/8, 1/400s, 200iso


10
K-7, DA12-24, 14mm, f/8, 1/60s, 200iso


11
K-7, DA12-24, 12mm, f/8, 1/160s, 100iso


12
K-7, DA12-24, 14mm, f/8, 1/160s, 100iso


I am not so used to architectural photography, I do hope you like these shots...

[JIMBO]

I believe I have said this before but man you do nice work!!! JIM

[tcom]

Thank you Jim. I do think I will go back in a month or two, when the grass around will have grown enough to let one leave the pathways to hopefully get better compositions. I do also ask myself, if a fish eye lens would not do wonders on such a building...

[Mike Pearson]

Dominique,

Super photos, well suited to the IR process 

Stunning architecture 

Mike

[calsan]

Having the roof curve in two directions is quite a trick. It would be interesting to know what material was used.

I like the composition of 2 (how it leads into the landscape) and 3 (showing the contrast between the hard edged building and the fluffy clouds) best.  It might be time to get a job with Domus magazine!

[fotaki]

These are fine shots of very interesting architecture. By the time the site has been landscaped and has matured a little it will look quite different. IMO your choice of lens and FL is fine. If you were to use a fisheye it would probably only create some further distortion and spoil the building lines.

Re. calsan comment, These shots look like a metal roof has been used - although #3, 11 and 12 look to be pre-caste concrete.

[tcom]

Thanks for the comments.

For such an unusual construction, I though IR photography would do just fine, adding even more to the unusual appearance.

Calsan: the roof is concrete as well. You do get some more information about the construction under http://www.designboom.com...olex-learning-center.html