TOWARDS an ECOLOGY of TECTONICS

TOWARDS an ECOLOGY of TECTONICS

SYMPOSIUM 1. November 2012

Understanding the essential connection between the well being of the individual and the attention towards the preservation of the natural environment as a whole forms the basis of ecological thinking. By focusing on the consequences of the way human beings interact with the surrounding environment it may be possible to develop a higher awareness of the mutual dependency between parts and wholes - between the life of the individual and the natural systems in which life is embedded.

This focus on the correlation between parts and wholes equally forms the core of tectonic thinking and practice.

Through a deep understanding of the nature, the making and the application of building materials this way of working with architecture can form a creative force in building constructions. Architecture based on tectonic principles tells us the stories of its making by exposing the meaning of both the separate unit and its connection to the overall building structure.

An ecology of tectonics embeds the concept of buildings as parts tied together as a whole in a broader context of natural systems. This introduces a new ethical dimension into tectonic practice in which the understanding of the correlation between the materials used and the eco-systems they form a part of becomes a guiding principle in the construction of architecture.

The symposium aims to form a discussion about an ecology of tectonics as a way of approaching the challenges contemporary building practice is facing. Three international theoreticians within the field are invited to reflect upon different aspects of the topic. The program is divided into three sessions each focusing on a specific question. During the sessions the reflections introduced by the international speaker will be discussed with practitioners and other representatives from the Danish architectural profession.

The symposium is linked to the symposium TECTONIC Practice and Thinking held in April 2012. The outcome of the two symposia will be part of an anthology, which is planned to be published spring 2013.

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation School of Architecture

AUD 1 / Festsalen The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation School of Architecture Danneskiold-Samsøes Allé 51 1435 København K

Aud 1

Danneskiold-Samsøes Allé

Venue:

Philip de Langes Allé

The symposium is arranged by the research group behind the project: Towards a Tectonic Sustainable Building Practice and will take place at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture, Design & Conservation - School of Architecture.

The symposium will be in English and is open to researchers, students, practitioners and others involved in the field of architecture. The Symposium is free but registration is required.

For further information visit: www.tektonik.dk Questions and registration: tektonik@kadk.dk

TOWARDS an ECOLOGY of TECTONICS - TECTO SYMPOSIUM - 1. November 2012 / 9.15 - 16.30 a

PROGRAMME 9.15 WELCOME Introduction by ANNE BEIM

Professor, Head of Institute, KADK 09.45 SESSION 1 - ECOLOGY AS CULTURE DAVID LEATHERBARROW, Professor at University of Pennsylvania School of Design in discussion with NATALIE MOSSIN, President of the Danish Architects’ Association An ecological understanding of the world links the well-being of the individual to the conditions of its surrounding environment. How can this understanding form the basis of an architectural practice that integrates ecological principles in order to construct a meaningful cultural framework of the everyday life?

Could this lead to A NEW KIND OF CULTURE BASED ON ECOLOGICAL VALUES? 11.15 BREAK 11.30 SESSION 2 - TECHNOLOGY AS INTEGRATION JONATHAN HALE, Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham in discussion with SØREN NIELSEN, Partner at the architectural office Vandkunsten New technologies focusing on high-level energy performance play a central role in the general endeavours to meet the demands of a more sustainable building practice. How do architects ensure that these technologies and the performative aspects become an integrated part of the building design, and that they support the tectonic intention of the building. In other words, how can TECHNOLOGY BE SEEN AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE WHOLE BUILDING? 13.00 LUNCH

ONIC Practice and Thinking in Architecture # 2 at KADK, Auditorium 1 - Festsalen

14.00 SESSION 3 - MAKING AS PRACTICE FREDRIK NILSSON, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology in discussion with LARS JUEL THIIS, Partner at the architectural office Cubo Todays building industry is facing a major transformation into even more industrialised building processes. Can we meet these challenges by focusing on the tectonic potentials embedded in present building principles, and by doing this, can we then maintain MAKING AS THE VERY CORE OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE? 15.30 CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS DAVID LEATHERBARROW, JONATHAN HALE and FREDRIK NILSSON in discussion with the opponent panel chaired by BIJOY JAIN, Founder and Partner of the architectural office Studio Mumbai, India TOWARDS AN ECOLOGY OF TECTONICS? How to approach an ecology of tectonics may be manifold, yet practicing architects pushed by the building industry call for clear answers and applicable results from researchers and scientists. The question is whether it is possible to come up with ultimate definitions to an ecology of tectonics without abandoning the specific character of the architectural process – which always offers multiple answers to one question?

16.15 OUTRO by ANNE BEIM

Professor, Head of Institute, KADK 16.30 End of program

DAVID LEATHERBARROW is Professor of Architecture at University of Pennsylvania School of Design where he teaches courses in architectural theory and design studios in the graduate and undergraduate programs and directs the PhD Program. David Leatherbarrow holds a Ph.D. in Art from the University of Essex and he is author of a series of books including “Architecture Oriented Otherwise” (2008); “Topographical Stories, Studies in Landscape and Architecture” (2004); “The Uncommon Ground, Architecture, Technology, and Topography” (2000) and “On Weathering, The Life of Buildings in Time” (1993).

NATALIE MOSSIN is President of the Danish Architects’ Association and she works as Senior Project Manager at Danish Architecture Centre. Throughout her professional life she has paid special attention to themes as; strategic innovation in the building industry, industrialised architecture, sustainable construction and architectural quality. She is currently Chair of the initiative “Open Innovation in Building”. Natalie Mossin is educated from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture (KADK) and has studied at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University under the professor Kenneth Frampton.

JONATHAN HALE is Associate Professor and Reader in Architectural Theory at the University of Nottingham, where he serves as Deputy Head of the Architecture + Urbanism Research Division, and Course Director for the interdisciplinary MA in Architecture and Critical Theory. Jonathan Hale is the author of a series of books inclucing: “Merleau-Ponty For Architects” (In Press.), and “Rethinking Technology: A Reader in Architectural Theory”, (2007) and he holds a Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania School of Design.

SØREN NIELSEN is Partner at the architectural office Tegnestuen Vandkunsten, founded in 1973 in Copenhagen. He holds a Master degree in architecture from KADK – School of Architecture and also a Master in Design.

Søren Nielsen is at the final stage of his Industrial Ph.D. project ”Tectonics of Adaptability” in collaboration with CINARK – Centre for Industrialised Architecture and Vandkunsten Architectural office. Besides an extensive number of built projects, Tegnestuen Vandkunsten is presently represented at the Danish Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, 2012 with the project “Possible Greenland - New Arctic Building Practice”.

FREDRIK NILSSON is Professor of Architectural Theory at Chalmers University of Technology and also Head of R&D at White Architects in Sweden. In this way he combines research with architectural practice. He is currently director of the research environment/project; “Architecture in the Making: Architecture as a Making Discipline and Material Practice”. Fredrik Nilsson holds a Ph.D in Architecture from Chalmers University of Technology and he has recently co-authored the book;” On the Emergence of Research by Design and Practicebased Research Approaches in Architectural and Urban Design” (2012) LARS JUEL THIIS is partner and founder of the architectural office CUBO established in 1992 in Aarhus, Denmark. He holds a Master in Architecture from the Architectural School in Aarhus and he has conducted Post Graduate studies at the Architectural Association in London. In 2005 he was appointed member of National Canon Committee for Architecture and he is presently Chair of the Committee for Architecture at the Danish Arts Foundation. Lars Juel Thiis has a wide range of practical experience and CUBO Architects recent projects include: ‘Nordkraft’ Cultural Centre in Aalborg, Denmark and the New University Hospital in Aarhus, Denmark.

SPEAKERS

BIJOY JAIN is Founder and Partner of the architectural office Studio Mumbai in India. He has studied architecture at Washington University, St. Louis and at SCI-Arch, Los Angeles. Between 1989 to1995 he worked in Los Angeles and London, both for other architects and independently, until he returned to live in Mumbai where he founded Studio Mumbai in 2005. In the period from 2011 – 2012 Bijoy Jain is appointed VELUX Visiting Professor at KADK – School of Architecture linked to the research project ”Towards a Tectonic Sustainable Building Practice” and also chairing a number of studio workshops. Studio Mumbai exhibited at 12th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, 2010 with the project ‘Work-Place’.

ANNE BEIM is Professor, Head of Institute for Architectural Technology and Head of CINARK - Centre for Industrialised Architecture at KADK – School of Architecture. Anne is currently chairing the cross institutional research project “Towards a Tectonic Sustainable Building Practice”. She holds a Ph.D. in architectural technology from KADK – School of Architecture and has conducted part of her Ph.D studies. at University of Pennsylvania School of Design. She is author/co-author of several books including: “ To Build - with attention of the future” (2012), “Three Ways of Assembling a House” (2009), “Tectonic Visions in Architecture” (2004) and “Ecology and Architectural Quality” (2002).