Jens Brinkmann: HM of the Meditation Roofs

+ Jens Brinkmann 🇪🇺

Honourable Mention of the Meditation Roofs

Portfolio: https://www.non-a.com/members/unitedarchitektur/

1) Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Jens Brinkmann runs the interdisciplinary studio United Architektur in Berlin. He received a doctorate in cultural studies from Humboldt-University Berlin. His architecture is characterized by diversity and deals with the fundamentals of people’s quality of life. Brinkmann’s body of work spans a broad range of projects of different scales and typologies, from private houses, institutional commissions, start-up and co-working offices, art installations, office and library furniture, a greenhouse restaurant, a lakeside swimming pool or a pop up restaurant on a frozen river. Brinkmann is a board member of the Association of German Architects in Berlin.

2) What inspired you for the Meditation Roofs?

Our design follows the concept of urban gardening as a mindful practice and meditative experience. This idea arises from the question of the different forms that meditation can take in everyday life. While looking for a place for our intervention in São Paulo, we came across the unused steel structure of the clock and temperature display on the roof of the Conjunto Nacional. We liked the idea of a huge trellis as an urban garden and place for meditation high above the city.

3) Can you describe any particular challenges you faced during the design process and how
you overcame them?

The competition brief called for a condensed idea represented in one single image. At the same time, this image should convey the entire complexity of our understanding of what meditation could be, as well as the fascinating potential of the location. Our contribution therefore works with image levels that range from the city to the architecture to the individual people.

4) How do you think your educational background or professional experiences influenced your winning design?

We design the built environment to improve people’s quality of life. Quality is an essential part of our work, and we pay great attention to the details, execution and functionality of every project entrusted to us. This is our approach to finding new ways of dealing with form and space.

5) What advice would you give to students or young professionals looking to excel in architecture competitions?

We see architecture competitions as a way of expanding our understanding of architecture. Competitions enable us to explore new cultures, places and develop new client relationships.

6) What are your future aspirations in the field of architecture?

We believe in the unifying power of architecture as a significant cultural intermediary of life today. We use architecture as a fundamental tool to create responsive and innovative design solutions that meet the needs of our  constantly changing world.

Meditation Farm