Interior Hills

Overview

Nestled within the vibrant campus of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, the Rolex Learning Center is an architectural masterpiece renowned for its innovative design. A defining characteristic of this building is its interior landscape, often referred to as the 'Interior Hills'. This unique feature transforms the traditional flat floor plan into a gently undulating terrain of slopes, valleys, and plateaus, creating a fluid and continuous space that redefines how visitors interact with the building and its functions.

Designed by the acclaimed Japanese architectural firm SANAA, the Rolex Learning Center opened its doors in 2010. It serves not only as a state-of-the-art library with half a million volumes but also as a dynamic laboratory for learning and an international cultural hub, welcoming both students and the public alike.

History & Cultural Background

The vision for the Rolex Learning Center emerged from EPFL's desire for a building that would foster interdisciplinary collaboration and new modes of learning in the 21st century. An international competition in 2004 led to the selection of SANAA, the Tokyo-based firm led by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, who would later be awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2010, the same year the building was inaugurated.

The architects sought to create a single, continuous space that would break down traditional boundaries between academic disciplines. This concept is deeply embedded in the 'Interior Hills' design, which metaphorically and physically encourages movement, exploration, and serendipitous encounters. The building's organic form and open structure reflect a philosophical approach to education, promoting transparency, accessibility, and a departure from rigid, compartmentalized learning environments.

What Makes It Special

The 'Interior Hills' are the architectural soul of the Rolex Learning Center. Instead of conventional floors and corridors, the building features a massive, single concrete slab that undulates to form gentle hills and valleys. This creates an artificial topography where the floor becomes the ceiling and vice versa, blurring the lines between different functional areas.

The absence of internal load-bearing walls is achieved through a complex structure supported by just eleven reinforced concrete arches, allowing for vast, unobstructed spaces. Large, rounded 'patios' or voids, which are essentially holes cut into the building's rectangular footprint, punctuate this undulating landscape. These patios bring natural light deep into the interior and serve as social spaces, providing a visual link between the inside and outside environment.

This innovative design eschews steps and staircases for gentle slopes and ramps, making the entire building largely accessible and creating a sense of continuous flow. Functional areas like study zones, a multimedia library, restaurants, and cafés are subtly delineated by these changes in elevation rather than by physical barriers, maintaining a sense of openness.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

The design of the 'Interior Hills' was inspired, in part, by the rolling Swiss landscape, echoing the nearby Alps. This concept transformed the experience of navigating an institutional building into something akin to walking through a park.

Students and visitors often describe the experience as 'magical' or 'otherworldly', with the constantly changing perspectives and internal horizons. SANAA's intent was to create 'one huge big room' where privacy could still be found in the dips and valleys, while plateaus encourage social interaction.

The construction itself was a monumental feat of engineering. The 37,000 square meter concrete slab required 1,400 individual molds, each precisely cut to create the complex curvatures of the undulating floor and roof. This technical challenge was met with innovative methods, including a concrete mix amended with polypropylene fibers to pour the slopes without top forms.

Throughout the center, you'll find 'bubbles' – glass-enclosed work areas that offer private spaces for group study or quiet contemplation within the otherwise open plan.

Visitor Perspective

For any curious traveler, exploring the 'Interior Hills' of the Rolex Learning Center is an immersive architectural journey. The fluid movement through the building encourages exploration, with each turn revealing new perspectives of the dynamic space. The generous natural light filtering through the patios and the minimalist aesthetic create a serene yet stimulating atmosphere.

Visitors can wander through the various zones, observe students at work in the library or collaborating in the 'bubbles', enjoy a coffee in one of the cafes, or simply take in the panoramic views of the campus and Lake Geneva from higher vantage points within the building. The continuous surface challenges traditional notions of movement and spatial organization, making a visit to this architectural landmark a truly memorable and thought-provoking experience in Lausanne.