H. Smidihen
Please Note
88 records found
1
Villa Prada
Sculpting time
Linate Motus Aerii
Reimagining Airports
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.
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.
Inside-out
Opera house milan
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.
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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.
The design proposes a staff-centric hospital situated in Milan’s Quadronno district, responding to the city’s dense urban fabric while integrating new green public spaces. The building’s concept is grounded in three spatial strategies: efficient internal flows, access to daylight and outdoor spaces, and the central positioning of staff areas as the heart of the facility. The result is an empathetic and legible architectural framework that supports recovery, resilience, and dignity for both staff and patients.
By prioritizing staff well-being through architectural clarity and spatial generosity, the project challenges the prevailing efficiency-driven models of healthcare design and suggests a more balanced and humane alternative. ...
The design proposes a staff-centric hospital situated in Milan’s Quadronno district, responding to the city’s dense urban fabric while integrating new green public spaces. The building’s concept is grounded in three spatial strategies: efficient internal flows, access to daylight and outdoor spaces, and the central positioning of staff areas as the heart of the facility. The result is an empathetic and legible architectural framework that supports recovery, resilience, and dignity for both staff and patients.
By prioritizing staff well-being through architectural clarity and spatial generosity, the project challenges the prevailing efficiency-driven models of healthcare design and suggests a more balanced and humane alternative.
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.
Center Re-Gen
An exploration into visualizing the future hospital as a space of production and delivery of personalized regenerative medicine in Berlin
This project is a deep exploration into the intersection of regenerative medicine and hospital architecture. It envisions a highly specialized hospital designed to treat patients by eradicating genetic and chronic diseases. The overarching idea of regeneration plays a central role in shaping the hospital’s program, site, and architectural design. This approach ensures that the hospital is tailored to meet the specific needs of human regeneration, aligning with cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs. The project integrates the four fundamental components of healthcare and regeneration under one roof: care, production, administration, and diagnosis/analysis, along with long-term storage facilities. This collaborative model creates a cohesive environment optimized for the process of regeneration. Simultaneously, the design prioritizes creating a sanctuary for patients and staff, while reimagining hospitals as vibrant, open public spaces that integrate seamlessly with the urban fabric and natural environment.
Ultimately, this project serves as a vision for how hospitals of the future can become not only centers of medical excellence but also community hubs that foster connection, healing, and innovation. ...
This project is a deep exploration into the intersection of regenerative medicine and hospital architecture. It envisions a highly specialized hospital designed to treat patients by eradicating genetic and chronic diseases. The overarching idea of regeneration plays a central role in shaping the hospital’s program, site, and architectural design. This approach ensures that the hospital is tailored to meet the specific needs of human regeneration, aligning with cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs. The project integrates the four fundamental components of healthcare and regeneration under one roof: care, production, administration, and diagnosis/analysis, along with long-term storage facilities. This collaborative model creates a cohesive environment optimized for the process of regeneration. Simultaneously, the design prioritizes creating a sanctuary for patients and staff, while reimagining hospitals as vibrant, open public spaces that integrate seamlessly with the urban fabric and natural environment.
Ultimately, this project serves as a vision for how hospitals of the future can become not only centers of medical excellence but also community hubs that foster connection, healing, and innovation.
Crisis Hub
German Red Cross Center for Humanitarian Relief Operations
Euroterminal Berlin
A high-speed trainstation driven by the future
Google Computer Science Faculty
Education Space of Fluidity
This project, Google Computer Science Faculty, based on Google's plans and ambitions to enter the higher education market, tries to create fluidity in the next generation of educational spaces by focusing on the design of circulation areas. ...
This project, Google Computer Science Faculty, based on Google's plans and ambitions to enter the higher education market, tries to create fluidity in the next generation of educational spaces by focusing on the design of circulation areas.
progress in the 1950s; the European Parliament in Strasbourg symbolized the openness and democracy of the newly created European Union in the 1990s. If we believe that our buildings shape us - as Winston Churchill once said - what parliament are we seeking now? What comes next?
The ambition of this project is to reflect on the powerful symbolism of the parliament as a tool for an emergent and extremely relevant global challenge: sustainability. ...
progress in the 1950s; the European Parliament in Strasbourg symbolized the openness and democracy of the newly created European Union in the 1990s. If we believe that our buildings shape us - as Winston Churchill once said - what parliament are we seeking now? What comes next?
The ambition of this project is to reflect on the powerful symbolism of the parliament as a tool for an emergent and extremely relevant global challenge: sustainability.
Messe Performance Cube
Performing Arts Center Berlin
The Revival of Natural Ventilation
Designing an Olympic aquatic centre
Federal Foreign Office, Berlin
Bodies, Building, Berlin
Characterized by cultural diversity, Beirut has a multi-religious society, with unfortunately a rampant space shrinkage issue. With in particular the Public domain. Evidenced by limited infrastructure and virtually no affordable housing, the cityscape is strongly demarcated by historic and religiously motivated conflicts. However today, this is all overshadowed by the wide income gap.
The greed for profit on the one hand is opposed by the fundamental desire for housing on the other. The two opposing interest groups have such conflicting needs
that in the past 30 years it has not been possible to balance the requirements in a meaningful way that is acceptable to both groups. Finding a resolution here will have a decisive influence on the future of the city.
Based on the research question “How should affordable housing be designed in a socio-economically segregated context such as Beirut”, an inclusive and high density building with the main aim of affordable and high quality dwelling units was designed. A fundamental role in the design and research process was the chosen location in relation with the urban context and the developed group masterplan.
In total the master thesis shows a new approach the master thesis for a more equitable housing in Lebanon.
...
Characterized by cultural diversity, Beirut has a multi-religious society, with unfortunately a rampant space shrinkage issue. With in particular the Public domain. Evidenced by limited infrastructure and virtually no affordable housing, the cityscape is strongly demarcated by historic and religiously motivated conflicts. However today, this is all overshadowed by the wide income gap.
The greed for profit on the one hand is opposed by the fundamental desire for housing on the other. The two opposing interest groups have such conflicting needs
that in the past 30 years it has not been possible to balance the requirements in a meaningful way that is acceptable to both groups. Finding a resolution here will have a decisive influence on the future of the city.
Based on the research question “How should affordable housing be designed in a socio-economically segregated context such as Beirut”, an inclusive and high density building with the main aim of affordable and high quality dwelling units was designed. A fundamental role in the design and research process was the chosen location in relation with the urban context and the developed group masterplan.
In total the master thesis shows a new approach the master thesis for a more equitable housing in Lebanon.
Cultural Reform
Rethinking Cultural Manifestation in the Urban Environment
What role can culture play in the complex transitions cities are currently going through? What aspects can be combined in order to suggest architecture appropriate for a scenario of hardships, which also strengthens national identity and the image of the city? Ultimately, how can a building complex informed by cultural production contribute to the narration and revival of cultural activity?
The task at hand is the design of a productive building which revolves around a culturally relevant produce and manages to evoke the social rituals and greater historic context which go with it. This should strengthen and reinstate pride towards local produce, reform ties to the country and its rich lands, and also support the citizens and the complex urban life which surround it. The design of an urban winery and arak distillery shall be the assignment utilized as means of researching and exploring this challenge. ...
What role can culture play in the complex transitions cities are currently going through? What aspects can be combined in order to suggest architecture appropriate for a scenario of hardships, which also strengthens national identity and the image of the city? Ultimately, how can a building complex informed by cultural production contribute to the narration and revival of cultural activity?
The task at hand is the design of a productive building which revolves around a culturally relevant produce and manages to evoke the social rituals and greater historic context which go with it. This should strengthen and reinstate pride towards local produce, reform ties to the country and its rich lands, and also support the citizens and the complex urban life which surround it. The design of an urban winery and arak distillery shall be the assignment utilized as means of researching and exploring this challenge.