DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
BAS : I wanted to create a building that is a symbol in itself, that is capable of fulfilling the role of a sign and express the standards of the International School of Debrecen. The circle is not only a spontaneous form of human gathering but also a shape that unifies nature and its built environment into harmony.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
BAS : I tried to find conceptional lines in an obvious, built form. The aim was to realize the basic motif in a didactic way.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
BAS : It took relatively long as we were responsible for the general designer too. We won the contract through an open architectural design competition. The entire process lasted for about two years.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
BAS : When I saw the invitation for the competition I felt like it was a perfect task for me. The protected Nature 2000 area that is right next to the plot was extremely challenging. It was also an inspiration that I could design a building for an open, global community.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
BAS : The most exciting element of the concept is the connection between the forest and the building. The pavilion like classrooms are placed on a circle line. On the same arc there are educational gardens connecting the building and the forest. In the forest there are educational pathways and kids can trod their own paths too thus closing the circle concept themselves.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
BAS : I like the works of Tadao Ando. He often uses circle as a symbol of unity and harmony.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
BAS : The pavilion like classrooms, the light courts between them and the cogwheel pattern show the purpose of the institution very well.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
BAS : We made an effort throughout the design progress to exhibit a coherent unity of the cogwheel pattern both on the building and in its environment. On the different levels like the park level, the first floor or the roof there are different kinds of cogwheels. The mutual reflection of these provide the special attraction of the building.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
BAS : BORD Architectural Studio dealt with the general design, we provided the entire engineering background of the project.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
BAS : Of course the closeness of the forest has many advantages. Accordingly, ecological issues were of utmost importance. In the early hours of the day there is a huge amount of cool air from the direction of the forest which we use for cooling the building.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
BAS : We only had a year for the completion of the building. It was very important to use the most simple and easily available construction technologies. We also divided the building into four independent structures so we could implement as many work processes simultaneously as possible.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
BAS : An international award is not only for architects, it is also important for the facilitator of the building, the school too. Feedback is essential that the institution chooses the best solutions in all aspects in order to provide the best education for the students.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
BAS : This building was designed for a community and each participant could follow the stages of progress from the beginning to the end. Concerning communication this building was a great challenge for me, I think.
