Fabeck Architects - "A construction project is above all a story of men"
Surrounded by her 25 collaborators, Tatiana Fabeck announces at the outset: "In our open space, everyone is on the same footing. We are all mixed, the architects are not grouped together, the designers either, etc. ". A friendly atmosphere, like the person in charge of the premises, who has appointed three partners to manage the projects and the life of the office.
As Tatiana Fabeck likes to say, the place is family-friendly and the team spirit is omnipresent. "Working in an open workspace encourages sharing ideas, helping one another," she explains, adding that the new premises in which they will be relocating within a few weeks will focus on friendly spaces: "We will have a big kitchen, as well as spaces where people can exchange without having the impression of being in the work environment".
An observation: missions less and less complete
Regarding the process of a project, the one who carried out architectural studies in France and the United States to the eye: "From the start, I feel how to build teams around a project. Depending on the skills of each other, as well as their personality, I see very well who to entrust this or that mission.
Because the human occupies an important place, "since the designated team must be on the same wavelength as the customer".
If Fabeck Architectes is able to cover almost all the missions that can lead an architect or a planner in the built and non-built environment, it is obviously the design and execution missions that occupy the largest part from the time of Tatiana Fabeck and her twenty or so collaborators.
On the other hand, it still highlights a downside: "We have to fight to carry out the executions, because more and more missions stop at the phase of the building permit. This is unfortunate because the job of architect goes further than this stage, that of construction is also important.
A large project
In Luxembourg, everyone has seen the images of the future shopping center that will take place at La Cloche d'Or. What we do not know is that it is Fabeck Architectes that we owe its design, which is akin to a real challenge: "It's like building a piece of town. We had already realized some commercial surfaces, but smaller. Because here, the figures are turning a corner - a hypermarket and a shopping mall of 75,000m², and a 4-storey underground car park that will house 2,850 seats, as well as two 25,000 m² housing towers.
It is in collaboration with SchemelWirtz Architectes Associés that the project is carried out, and this for a good reason: "We won it by competition. Everyone was convinced that an international office would be appointed, that is why, from the beginning, it had been decided that this local actor would be involved in the execution of the project ".
Also won via this selection method, the Royal Grace project, located on the edge of the Royal Boulevard: "We were very rational at the location of the stairs and the elevator, it pleaded in our favor. The parcel being tiny, it was necessary to optimize each square meter. Result, an office building of 1.575m², whose facade is synonymous with tree, in reference to the park located nearby: "It is composed of metal parts that are wider at the bottom, and which become narrower when going up," says Tatiana Fabeck.
Architectural competitions, a great challenge, but ...
In recent times, the office is also starting to export internationally: "We are doing two very large villas in Russia, won by competition. We do the design and the aesthetic follow-up, the local teams take care of the rest. We are also mobilized on a project of 270 dwellings in Dakar ". On the other hand, there is no question of leaving Luxembourg, Tatiana Fabeck appreciates too much the working environment. "Our main business is dedicated to staying in the country. I must admit that we can work on it effectively: distances are short and administrations transparent. I love the Grand Duchy for this immediate, easy and international side ".
A few months ago, the office also took part in the call for projects concerning the Luxembourg pavilion for the 2020 World Expo, to be held in Dubai. If her candidacy was not retained, Tatiana Fabeck mentions that the work done in team gave rise to "a real cohesion, the whole in a very constructive atmosphere between architect, scenographer and engineer".
On the other hand, the reverse of the medal, and even if Tatiana Fabeck is the first to salute the usefulness of the competitions - "we win many projects by this means", she recognizes that it requires a considerable investment for her and her collaborators: "It's nice, but we are always asking for more - especially since they usually take place in several phases - without knowing if anything will come out of it. A contest generates dynamism but in terms of cost and energy spent, it can be tough ".
Social constructions
The architecture firm also supports constructions or renovations intended to become places of sociability, like the old mill of Pétange become a fully cultural, tourist and gastronomic site, or the project carried out for the Fonds du Accommodation in the municipality of Betzdorf: "We created a village center with housing and shops. This is not an anonymous project, in this case we know exactly for which users we have worked ".
Fabeck Architects are not only large-scale projects, they are also single-family homes. Their construction, as Tatiana Fabeck points out, requires a great deal of psychology. "The habitat is something very personal. Before taking any action, it is imperative to know more about the client, how he lives, to dissect his habits. It is also important not to impose anything on him, he must never feel without choice.
An office turned towards the future
Fabeck Architects decided to work in BIM (Building Information Model) 6 years ago. This technology makes it possible to create smart models including the work of 3D engineers. They are useful because they make it possible to model the whole of the infrastructure and, in a non-negligible detail, to estimate the costs of the works very quickly, according to the quantity of materials used.
Because the calculation of the budgets is also part of the work of the architects: "The design and execution is just the tip of the iceberg," notes Tatiana Fabeck. Added to this are the ever-increasing constraints in terms of laws and regulations in force.
She would change profession for nothing in the world: "architect, it's a busy job. A fixed schedule, I do not know. But every morning, I look forward to coming to the office. "
Contact
FABECK ARCHITECTS
1, rue du Château
L-8385 Koerich
Phone : (+352) 26 30 80
Fax: (+352) 26 30 54 81
Email: mail@fabeckarchitectes.lu
www.fabeckarchitectes.lu