Athe-LAB 2023

Athe-LAB is a competition proposal for a cultural and creative facility in Denmark. It brings architects and other creative disciplines into a shared setting for work, discussion and exchange.

Two references guide the concept: the Greek agora as a place of collective activity, and the Viking longboat as a source for the building’s curved section. One informs the programme; the other informs the form.

Location: Denmark
Client: uni.xyz Competition
Type: Cultural Institution, Competition Entry
Status: Competition Proposal
Year: 2021
Principal: Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji
Scope: Organic Architecture, Cultural Research, Parametric Design

The longboat is interpreted through the building’s profile and enclosing surfaces. This reference supports the architectural composition without implying that shipbuilding behaviour or structural performance transfers directly to the proposed building.

An elevated, bowl-shaped volume rests above a lower rectilinear base. This contrast distinguishes the shared cultural space from the ground-level programme and gives the waterfront composition a recognizable profile.

Athe-LAB 2023: Visualization of the elevated cultural volume seen through the landscape — Visualization of the elevated cultural volume seen through the landscape.

Athe-LAB 2023: Sectional and exploded studies of the bowl-shaped volume and base — Sectional and exploded studies of the bowl-shaped volume and base.

Athe-LAB 2023: White site model showing the surrounding urban blocks — White site model showing the surrounding urban blocks.

Athe-LAB 2023: ATHE-LAB 2023 project identity graphic — ATHE-LAB 2023 project identity graphic.

Athe-LAB 2023: Dusk visualization across the waterfront — Dusk visualization across the waterfront.

Athe-LAB 2023: Night aerial visualization of the illuminated upper volume — Night aerial visualization of the illuminated upper volume.

Athe-LAB 2023: Night approach view from the landscaped ground — Night approach view from the landscaped ground.

Athe-LAB 2023: Concept board relating the proposal to the longboat reference — Concept board relating the proposal to the longboat reference.

Athe-LAB 2023: Context diagrams of the waterfront and boat reference — Context diagrams of the waterfront and boat reference.

Athe-LAB 2023: Site analysis of the surrounding buildings and open spaces — Site analysis of the surrounding buildings and open spaces.

The sectional and contextual studies relate the proposal to the water, surrounding routes and nearby buildings. A repeated external pattern gives the upper volume its visual rhythm, while the lower level maintains a more direct relationship with movement through the site.