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Ukraine - Netherlands Urban Network

lecture → dec 06 '23

DUO Lecture: Schools of Tomorrow

Independent School for the City - Delftsestraat, 33 - Rotterdam
Rebuilding cities is not just about housing, but also about the reconstruction of amenities and public institutions. Schools are a top priority, especially in uncertain times. Getting children back to school as quickly as possible is crucial for their development and bringing back a sense of normalcy. That's why the UNUN Network and the Independent School for the City have invited architects David Gianotten and Michael den Otter from OMA, as well as Slava Balbek from Bakbek Bureau, to discuss their innovative designs for educational buildings. The focus will be on OMA's modular schools for the Dutch city of Amsterdam and Bakbek Bureau's collaboration with the Team4UA foundation on a 3D-printed elementary school for the Ukrainian city of Lviv.

You can join either in the Independent School for the City or online!
YouTube Livestream
About OMA / David Gianotten
OMA is an international practice operating within the traditional boundaries of architecture and urbanism. Founded by Rem Koolhaas, OMA is currently led by eight partners including Managing Partner – Architect David Gianotten, and has offices in Rotterdam, New York, Hong Kong, and Australia. OMA has designed a number of projects around the world, including the Taipei Performing Arts Centre (2022), the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth (2020), the Axel Springer Campus in Berlin (2020), Norra Tornen in Stockholm (2020), Potato Head Studios in Bali (2020), Fondazione Prada in Milan (2018), the CCTV Headquarters in Beijing (2012), Casa da Música in Porto (2005), and the Seattle Central Library (2004).
Embedded in OMA is AMO – a research and design studio that applies architectural thinking to domains beyond. AMO was commissioned by the European Union to study its visual communication, and designed a colored "barcode" flag, combining the flags of all member states, which was used during the Austrian presidency of the EU. AMO has worked closely with Prada on its identity, in-store technology, and new possibilities of content-production in fashion.

As OMA/AMO’s Managing Partner – Architect, David Gianotten oversees the overall organizational and financial management, business strategy, and growth of the practice in all markets, in addition to his own architectural portfolio. As partner-in-charge, David currently leads the design and construction of projects including Museo Egizio in Turin, Amsterdam’s Bajes Kwartier—conversion of a large 1960s prison complex into a new neighborhood with 1,350 apartments; VDMA—transformation of an unused site with industrial heritage in Eindhoven into a mixed-use urban hub; Apollolaan 171—a high-end mixed use building in Amsterdam; and the new Koepel District—renovation of Breda's Panopticon and Judicial Compound into a mixed-use area.
David has led the design and realization of the Taipei Performing Arts Center (2022), Potato Head Studios—a resort in Bali (2020), WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth (2020), White Cube LIRCAEI in Lusanga (2018), MPavilion 2017 in Melbourne, and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange headquarters (2013). He was responsible for the end stages of the CCTV headquarters in Beijing (2012). He co-curated the N*thing is Possible exhibition at the Singapore Design Centre in 2022.
David joined OMA in 2008, launched OMA’s Hong Kong office in 2009, and became partner in 2010. He led OMA’s portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region for seven years. In 2015, he returned to the Netherlands to oversee OMA globally as Managing Partner – Architect. Before joining OMA, he was Principal Architect at SeARCH in the Netherlands.
David has taught extensively at the Eindhoven University of Technology, where he is a graduate in Architecture and Architectural Engineering. David is also on the board of the Netherlands Asia Honors Summer School.
About balbek bureau
balbek bureau is an architectural and interior design studio creating commercial, residential, and cultural spaces in Europe, Northern America, and Asia. The bureau’s portfolio features Grammarly’s Kyiv office, 906 Cultural Center in a repurposed Californian church, and an art installation at the Vernadsky research base in Antarctica.
balbek bureau’s work has been recognized by the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, the IIDA Global Excellence Awards, and the Interior Design's Best of Year Awards.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the practice has also been working on a series of social initiatives titled RE:Ukraine System.
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About Slava Balbek
Slava Balbek is a Ukrainian architect and the founder CEO of balbek bureau. For his work, he has been awarded the Interior Design’s Best of Year ‘Rising Star’ award (2020) and invited to judge multiple design competitions, including the Dezeen Awards (2022).
Additionally, Balbek is also a founder of propro furniture brand, a co-owner of four cafes in Kyiv, and a military volunteer serving in an aerial reconnaissance unit.
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About 3D-school
Team4UA Foundation’s primary school in Lviv is Ukraine’s first educational institution constructed with a 3D printer. The facility is expected to open by fall 2024 and accommodate 100 students.

balbek bureau develops the architectural and interior design concept and supervises its implementation. Ars Longa bureau is in charge of the engineering. Danish 3D construction companies COBOD and 3DCP Group3DCP Group lead ground operations. The project is implemented with the support of the Lviv City Council.

The school is the pilot of Team4UA’s HIVE program. The initiative aims to facilitate the rebuilding of Ukrainian residential buildings and social infrastructure with the help of 3D-printing technology.