Amazing STORIES FROM THE CITY An AA Summer Architecture School SOCIAL FANTASY In many cases, mainly associated with moments of crisis -economic, political, environmental-, the society needs of other rules to understand, express and construct its reality. At certain historical moments, alternative forms of narration have been more effective than a seemingly more realistic format. The boom of the sci-fi novel and films during the 50´ and 60´ were the best means of expression of a reality threatened by the effects of wars and their feared impact on the environment. In Latin America, Magical Realism, in literature, was a way to dream a possible reality, beyond the stagnation of economic and political realities. Fear of natural disasters has produced, in the imagination of science fiction, new relations of humans with nature. But the genre of fiction works not only to register a dystopian present, but is of extreme ability to advance future. From the novels by Jules Verne to the stories by Arthur C. Clarke became priceless references to the development of technology and science.
The architectural practice was not alien to it. Some projects supported in the form of fiction, comics and POP culture have now become paradigmatic examples of architecture Archigram, Superstudio, OMA...
Magical realism is questioned What Happens When a Highly Detailed, realistic setting is Invaded by something ´too strange to believe´.
We
trust in the power of fantasy to construct
possible realities in architecture. In its power to transform the city. We rely on the development of new design tools based on dreams, fantasies and illusions, as powerful engines of social processes and for the construction of collective recognition environments.
WORKSHOP. General ideas. IMAGINE A NEW LONDON. What new urban situations are possible? What does not work in the city?, What conditions should be reported as citizens and as architects? What the city hopes in the future?
FIND REFERENCES BEYOND ARCHITECTURE. The sci-fi books, comics, films are waiting to be used. But too, POP music, graffities, cartoons...
DESIGN THE SCENARIOS. Use the technique of sketches, collage, 3D, models... to design new urban situations.
BUILD A STORY. The architecture is capable of telling stories. Write a fantastic script.
MAKE A COMIC!!!
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All the images are projects by Mi5 Architects and have been published in ICON magazine and
the book Architects´ sketchbooks.
SCHEDULE.
THE SCRIPT: Field research and story development. •
Collect data (1) on possible London scenarios.
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Analyze, from a fantastic perspective (2), emerging conflicts in the city from a social, political, ecological and urban point of view.
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Collection of data should be both analogue and digital, which means taking into account a variety of media like video recording, photo or hand drawings between others.
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Information collected will be shaped as an will be used as an architectural tool.
amazing story format (3)
that
THE SCENARIOS: Defining spaces. •
The analysis of the battlefields will derive in a first view of mutated architectures (4) such as new buildings, public spaces or urban landscapes.
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The purpose of these new architectural scenarios will be to rebuild the current reality into new urban opportunities.
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In order to make this phase tangible we will use a wide variety of media such as photomontages, collages, 3D models or drawings (5).
THE COMIC: making it real.
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Finally, to materialize these new scenarios based on mutated architectures, it will be necessary to create a fictional narrative through a unique storyboard 6. Images will be edited either in a digital or analogue way and a real and fantastic comic booklet 7.
ORGANIZATION & FORMAT. The unit will be split in teams of 3 or 4 people. Each team will produce one comic. All of them will be published together in one graphic book entitled Amazing Stories from the City.
produced as
TUTORS. Nacho Martin and Manuel Collado. Principals of Mi5 Architects.
REFERENCES: ARCHICOMICS & FANTASTIC VISIONS.
Bruno Taut
Archigram
Archizoom
Haus Rucker-Co
Superstudio
OMA Rem Koolhaas
BIG Bjarke Ingels
Mi5 Architects MI5´s profile was conceived since the turn of the century as a suggestive and innovative practice midway between construction and research. Our work focuses on the search of alternative and not very explored public management strategies, exploiting fantasy as a powerful, dynamic motor of social processes. Interested in participating in the construction of the signs of our era, we conceive our projects as the erection of identities of collective recognition, capable of redefining and strengthening the geographical and human territory where they stand. We work with the efficiency of our projects´ communication strategies as a proposal which will intensify their social viability. Our work method is supported by proactive policies, with very personalized relationship protocols for each user and his environment. One of the missions of the projects, conferences, essays and teaching undertaken by the studio during the last years, has been rethinking concepts such as Public, Youth, Outskirts, Fashion, Technology...
CV Mi5 is a team of Nacho Martin and Manuel Collado since 1999 which focuses on researching unexplored projectual strategies, our work have been recognize, awarded and published on several ocassions. We are invited to: VII Venice Architecture Biennale, Europe VI Burgos, Liege and MOPU, COAM Recent Work Foundation, FRESHMADRID COAM Foundation, Madrid Social Housing RIBA (London), 100% Crude COAM Foundation, Building Dwelling Thinking IVAM ... They have been teaching in Architectural Polytechnic Universities of Alicante, Alcala de Henares and Camilo Jose Cela, Fashion Design at the European Institute of Design (IED Madrid) and Visiting Member at the Architectural Association in London, in addition to having participated in several workshops, juries and lectures.
www.mi5arquitectos.com
Mi5 arquitectos. Nacho Martin & Manuel Collado. c/ Zurbano 47 4º Izq. 28009 Madrid (SPAIN). T.: +34 913196079. F.: +34 913194661. em.: estudio@mi5arquitectos.com