Dirk Krolikowski

Europe 40 under 40

Dirk Krolikowski and Falko Schmitt have been awarded the prestigious Europe 40 Under 40, for the work of their studio, confered by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum : Museum of Architecture and Design. The prize “recognizes the best emerging European design talent in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and industrial design and their exceptional leadership contributions and achievements early in their professional careers.”

“Some of Europe’s most exceptional design talent was selected this year,” states Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, Museum President, The Chicago Athenaeum. “These young practitioners, currently designing and building some of the most provocative work today, promise to be riding the crest of the future in Europe.”

Press Release here

Dirk is giving a talk at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in Cambridge, UK about the HALLEY 12 concept. The proposal is exploring new technologies for an antarctic research station of the future utilizing wood pulp reinforced ice for its structure.

Emergency Bridge

This project started in 2005 and has been continuously developed. In case of natural or human disasters the EMCBridge provides first aid to geographical regions that are in need of supply or simply reconnects locations by providing the Infrastructure. Key requirements have been cantilever erection from one side, erectable by one technician with a handful of unlearned local people and without use of additional machines.
The proposed pedestrian bridge spans 60m and is capable of carrying the imposed life load of the biggest known pack animals: elephants. The folded package fits exactly into the outer dimension of a 40´ standard shipping container. By doing that it utilizes a global existing transport system to be delivered in time to the right place providing infrastructure and help for those who are in need.

Wendepunkt im Bauen - Richard Rogers and Dirk Krolikowski

The Title 'Wendepunkt(e) im Bauen' highlights two major paradigm shifts in architecture. The first is the development from craft to industrialisation and serial production, the second is the change caused by digital design and computer aided production. I would like to think of it as a development towards a digital craft.
ISBN 978-3-920034-39-3, Wendepunkt l e im Bauen – Von der seriellen zur digitalen Architektur, Edition DETAIL, Munich, 2010

Winner_1st Prize_Wienfluss Bridge _International Competition

Dirk Krolikowski and Falko Schmitt have won the international competition for a bascule bridge in the center of Vienna. With a single leaf of approx. 50m span the bridge will be Austrias largest moving pedestrian bridge.

It is envisaged that the works will start on site in 2011/2012.

Structural engineer: Jane Wernick Associates, London, UK http://www.wernick.eu.com/

KONSTRUKTION, 2nd edition

KONSTRUKTION Dirk Krolikowski, Falko Schmitt, Mirko Baum ISBN 978-3-00-028729-9

that's it. the second edition of KONSTRUKTION is available.
'Structure is one of the most essential constituents of architecture.Its quality is defined by the virtuosity and comprehensiveness of composing and bringing the conceptual as well as the physical elements of the structure together. The way things are brought together and joined mirrors the designer’s attitude and culture. This publication shows the works of students at the Chair of Design Engineering, RWTH Aachen University which were in pursuit of this comprehensiveness in the years 2007-2009.'

Herausgeber / edited by

Lehrgebiet fuer Konstruktives Entwerfen
RWTH Aachen University
Fakultaet fuer Architektur
Univ. Prof. Mirko Baum
Lehrbeauftragte fuer Konstruktives Entwerfen
Dirk Krolikowski
Falko Schmitt
Aachen-London 2009
Layout: Sarah Bosen
Cover: Nikolas U. Torscheit

Printed in Germany
ISBN 978-3-00-028729-9

Text and illustrations © Lehrgebiet fuer Konstruktives Entwerfen
RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Architecture

parametric prototypes

End Crit London, EXTREME 3000 , RWTH Aachen Design Engineering Unit

Rapid Prototype of ER 3000

03_2009 The final crit of the 2009 Design Engineering Unit took place in London.Dirk and Falko are teaching the Design Engineering Unit at Prof. Mirko Baum's Chair [Lehrgebiet fuer Konstruktives Entwerfen, RWTH Aachen] as Adjunct Professors [Lehrbeauftragte] since 2007.

Invited guest crits for the day were: Daniel Hecker Grimshaw Architects, Dennis Austin RSH-P, Felix Weber ARUP Materials, Dan Wright RSH-P.

The Design Engineering Unit has been granted a sponsorship by the RWTH Aachen for their innovative and successful teaching format. Parts of the sponsorship will be used to publish the best works of the last two years of the DEU in a dedicated publication.

River Douglas Bridge, 1st prize RIBA Competition

Dirk Krolikowski and Falko Schmitt with ARUP London won the international RIBA competition for the River Douglas Bridge which attracted 110 entries.

AN ELEGANT structure has been chosen as the winning entry in a competition to design a new bridge to cross the River Douglas. The successful entry was proposed by firm DKFS Architects with Arup and has been awarded first prize in the RIBA administered competition. Lancashire County Council will now work with key stakeholders both in the public and private sector to progress delivery of the bridge and connecting links.

Cezary Bednarski, RIBA Architectural Advisor for the competition said “The winning team managed to combine elegance of form with innovation, delivering an entry, which should become a high quality landmark. I am pleased that the winning design did not seek undue attention dominating the setting”.

The jury panel, which included representatives from Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire District Council, South Ribble Borough Council and the North West Regional Development Agency made their decision following presentations from the seven short-listed competitors. The competition originally attracted 110 entries in June which were short-listed in July.