M.R. Grech
Please Note
12 records found
1
Linate Motus Aerii
Reimagining Airports
Self-navigating airport
An airport made for comfort
This particular book presents the design of an airport that focuses on reducing the stress experienced in a terminal and provides the most pleasant passenger experience possible. The project focuses on how architectural design can influence human emotions and contributes to the ongoing discussion of transforming air travel into a pleasant and relaxing experience. Extra attention is paid to researching ways to design a mobility hub, spaces for crowds and flows of people with the goal of creating an airport that is intuitive and easy to navigate. ...
This particular book presents the design of an airport that focuses on reducing the stress experienced in a terminal and provides the most pleasant passenger experience possible. The project focuses on how architectural design can influence human emotions and contributes to the ongoing discussion of transforming air travel into a pleasant and relaxing experience. Extra attention is paid to researching ways to design a mobility hub, spaces for crowds and flows of people with the goal of creating an airport that is intuitive and easy to navigate.
Do not mind the gap • do wander
The Station as a City Layer: A Spatial Dialogue Between People and Trains
Trains are brought visually and physically closer to users by treating the platform area not as a peripheral utility but as part of the main spatial continuum of the station. The design allows trains to enter the hall, not through concealed corridors but through an open and legible structure where their movement becomes part of the spatial experience. This strategy evokes the historical role of the station as a place of wander and fascination with machines, restoring a degree of spectacle and engagement lost in the contemporary functionalist approach.
The design creates a space where trains are present but do not dominate, where movement does not erase the possibility of pause, and where the public realm reclaims its place within a transit environment. ...
Trains are brought visually and physically closer to users by treating the platform area not as a peripheral utility but as part of the main spatial continuum of the station. The design allows trains to enter the hall, not through concealed corridors but through an open and legible structure where their movement becomes part of the spatial experience. This strategy evokes the historical role of the station as a place of wander and fascination with machines, restoring a degree of spectacle and engagement lost in the contemporary functionalist approach.
The design creates a space where trains are present but do not dominate, where movement does not erase the possibility of pause, and where the public realm reclaims its place within a transit environment.
The Connecting Library
From collection to connection
This particular book focuses on the design of a public library, approached as more than just a space for books. The project investigates how architectural design can actively stimulate social interaction, turning the library into a vibrant, inclusive urban space. Emphasis is placed on the role of the library as an urban ‘living room’, a place that fosters connection, comfort, and a sense of belonging in the city.
...
This particular book focuses on the design of a public library, approached as more than just a space for books. The project investigates how architectural design can actively stimulate social interaction, turning the library into a vibrant, inclusive urban space. Emphasis is placed on the role of the library as an urban ‘living room’, a place that fosters connection, comfort, and a sense of belonging in the city.
Inside-out
Opera house milan
Territory on Trial
Redesigning the Courthouse to foster Spatial Freedom, Transparency and equitable Power Dynamics
This thesis critically examines how such architectural hierarchies shape behaviour, social interaction, and perceptions of justice. It explores the ways in which spatial design can either sustain or subvert authority, asking what it means for a public building especially one so symbolically charged as a courthouse to be genuinely open and democratic. This continuing tension between ideals of accessibility and the practical imperatives of security and order lies at the heart of the inquiry. Drawing on case studies, theoretical frameworks, and spatial analysis, the research investigates how architectural form, scale, and materiality influence civic experience and shape the perception of justice. It questions whether the courthouse can evolve beyond its traditional typology to become a civic space of participation and engagement one that reflects not only authority, but also empathy and inclusivity. Within the context of Milan, with its layered legal traditions and increasingly diverse urban fabric, this thesis positions the courthouse as a lens through which to reconsider how architecture can embody the principles of equity, transparency, and public trust.
Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of how spatial design influences civic life and the social meaning of justice, offering new perspectives on how public institutions can balance dignity with openness, and authority with accessibility. ...
This thesis critically examines how such architectural hierarchies shape behaviour, social interaction, and perceptions of justice. It explores the ways in which spatial design can either sustain or subvert authority, asking what it means for a public building especially one so symbolically charged as a courthouse to be genuinely open and democratic. This continuing tension between ideals of accessibility and the practical imperatives of security and order lies at the heart of the inquiry. Drawing on case studies, theoretical frameworks, and spatial analysis, the research investigates how architectural form, scale, and materiality influence civic experience and shape the perception of justice. It questions whether the courthouse can evolve beyond its traditional typology to become a civic space of participation and engagement one that reflects not only authority, but also empathy and inclusivity. Within the context of Milan, with its layered legal traditions and increasingly diverse urban fabric, this thesis positions the courthouse as a lens through which to reconsider how architecture can embody the principles of equity, transparency, and public trust.
Ultimately, the project seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of how spatial design influences civic life and the social meaning of justice, offering new perspectives on how public institutions can balance dignity with openness, and authority with accessibility.
Treffpunkt Berlin
From Collections to Connections: An Intercultural Public Library in Gesundbrunnen
Germany is currently the second top destination for international migrants. The country has already received multiple waves of immigrants in the past century – from guest workers to refugees – but its attitude toward foreign newcomers has historically been conservative. However, with the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) passed in 2023, the Federal Government now aims to push Germany into a “Modern Immigration Country” (Ein Modernes Einwanderungsland).
Within this new national ambition, the integration of foreign newcomers is highly prioritised; and public institutions are expected to facilitate this two-way process between local Berliners and foreign newcomers.
To support this, the public library emerges as a highly relevant institution. As an architectural typology, it began as a house for collections and on-site reading. Yet over time, digitalisation has largely reduced the need for this building to fulfil this specific function; thus liberating and shifting its focus to become an active site of social connections, where people from all walks of life can encounter each other regularly.
Furthermore, in Berlin’s future city development, the Senate envisions the public library as a mixed-use centre for strengthening social cohesion and bringing life to new residential districts (Neue Stadtquartiere). While there are already well-located public libraries – already enjoyed by existing Berliners of the vicinity – that can serve these districts, they are not spatially nor technically equipped to meet the multimedia & multi-programmatic needs for this social ambition.
This leads to the research question: How can we design a public library that facilitates the integration of migrants into the local community?
It calls for the project to critically examine and design a district-level public library, which primarily aims to be a social connector for facilitating integration. The secondary goals are to host and disseminate diverse media types; and to serve as an upgraded futureproof district centre. ...
Germany is currently the second top destination for international migrants. The country has already received multiple waves of immigrants in the past century – from guest workers to refugees – but its attitude toward foreign newcomers has historically been conservative. However, with the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz) passed in 2023, the Federal Government now aims to push Germany into a “Modern Immigration Country” (Ein Modernes Einwanderungsland).
Within this new national ambition, the integration of foreign newcomers is highly prioritised; and public institutions are expected to facilitate this two-way process between local Berliners and foreign newcomers.
To support this, the public library emerges as a highly relevant institution. As an architectural typology, it began as a house for collections and on-site reading. Yet over time, digitalisation has largely reduced the need for this building to fulfil this specific function; thus liberating and shifting its focus to become an active site of social connections, where people from all walks of life can encounter each other regularly.
Furthermore, in Berlin’s future city development, the Senate envisions the public library as a mixed-use centre for strengthening social cohesion and bringing life to new residential districts (Neue Stadtquartiere). While there are already well-located public libraries – already enjoyed by existing Berliners of the vicinity – that can serve these districts, they are not spatially nor technically equipped to meet the multimedia & multi-programmatic needs for this social ambition.
This leads to the research question: How can we design a public library that facilitates the integration of migrants into the local community?
It calls for the project to critically examine and design a district-level public library, which primarily aims to be a social connector for facilitating integration. The secondary goals are to host and disseminate diverse media types; and to serve as an upgraded futureproof district centre.
Twin Anatomy
Hospital of a Human Data Twin
The focus of this graduation project is the development of a hospital tailored to a concept known as the ‘Human Data Twin.’ This project seeks to explore the effects of digitalization in healthcare, specifically examining how datasets and artificial intelligence (AI) influence the architectural design and functions of hospitals. The term ‘Human Data Twin’ refers to the unique concept of digitizing the human body with large datasets to create a human data twin (HDT) in cyberspace. This allows hospitals to conduct real-time simulations, optimizations, and evaluations, providing personalized diagnosis to empower individuals in making informed decisions, enhancing health performance, and extending life expectancy.
The transformative approach to healthcare through digitization has extensive implications, potentially necessitating the creation of new spaces within hospitals. Research indicates that the AI revolution in medicine introduces new dynamics to spatial relations in the diagnostic process, with AI likely to play a key role. The architectural design of hospitals needs reevaluation, presenting an opportunity to promote the health, physical activity, and mental well-being of society.
The project holds significant relevance in the current context, drawing inspiration from near-future predictions of technological advancements in healthcare. It envisions a transformation from generalized to personalized and precision medicine, facilitated by data science and technology. By doing so, the project aims to spark discussions around the imperative nature of collaborating with technologies like AI, which will drive changes in hospital functions, processes, and design. This discourse will also highlight the ethical challenges and considerations inherent in such advancements. Broadly, the project aspires to establish guidelines for designing hospitals of the digital future. ...
The focus of this graduation project is the development of a hospital tailored to a concept known as the ‘Human Data Twin.’ This project seeks to explore the effects of digitalization in healthcare, specifically examining how datasets and artificial intelligence (AI) influence the architectural design and functions of hospitals. The term ‘Human Data Twin’ refers to the unique concept of digitizing the human body with large datasets to create a human data twin (HDT) in cyberspace. This allows hospitals to conduct real-time simulations, optimizations, and evaluations, providing personalized diagnosis to empower individuals in making informed decisions, enhancing health performance, and extending life expectancy.
The transformative approach to healthcare through digitization has extensive implications, potentially necessitating the creation of new spaces within hospitals. Research indicates that the AI revolution in medicine introduces new dynamics to spatial relations in the diagnostic process, with AI likely to play a key role. The architectural design of hospitals needs reevaluation, presenting an opportunity to promote the health, physical activity, and mental well-being of society.
The project holds significant relevance in the current context, drawing inspiration from near-future predictions of technological advancements in healthcare. It envisions a transformation from generalized to personalized and precision medicine, facilitated by data science and technology. By doing so, the project aims to spark discussions around the imperative nature of collaborating with technologies like AI, which will drive changes in hospital functions, processes, and design. This discourse will also highlight the ethical challenges and considerations inherent in such advancements. Broadly, the project aspires to establish guidelines for designing hospitals of the digital future.
Berliner L-Bahn
Implementing Air Mobility Architecture in the Urban Environment
Zwischenspiel
A co-creation space for art production and performance
Rush Hour
The train station as the future dataport