IaaC Bit 4.3.3

Implementing Advanced Knowledge

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4.3.3 IaaC Alumni Symposium IaaC

IaaC Alumni Symposium

On Monday 22nd of June IaaC innaugurated the first IaaC Alumni meeting at the Valldaura Labs, a sight that had evolved visibly for many of the former generations of Alumni. The Alumni present at the meeting came from 17 different countries, including Iceland, Norway, Russia, Argentina, India, USA, Mexico, Philippines, and more; and covering 8 generations of IaaC Alumni.

After a small coffee breakfast where the more antic (not old!!) and new generations met up for the first time. We then got down to business with a working meeting, resulting to be a very productive and active talk about the next steps for the IaaC Alumni network. Among other things, the main topics discussed were the IaaC Alumni Platform, as well as the future possibilities of this network as a consolidated group in both the professional and academic fields. The main concerns of the new alumni regarded life directly after IaaC, many with both professional and academic agendas. We concluded the productive meeting with a delicious brunch with all the alumni participants and later came back to IaaC for the Closing Lecture with Elizabeth Diller.

We held the IaaC Alumni Symposium on Tuesday 23rd of June at IaaC. The Symposium touched 4 topics relative to the post-IaaC professional and academic lives of the Alumni. For topic, 4 Alumni presentations took place in “TED-Talk” format, each session closing with an open discussion. During the presentations, the speakers had the opportunity to explain their work to their fellow IaaC Alumni, as well as to the general public.

In response to the IaaC Alumni | Call for Speakers, IaaC invited 3 Alumni of excellence from around the world to come and share their specific experiences: Hemant Purohit (India, 2008) – session 1 – explained about his architectural and professional practice and the use of traditional technology with advanced design; Monika Wittig (USA, 2007) – session 2 – focused her presentation on research, development and her experience in this field; and Liliana Viveros (Mexico, 2011) – session 4 – discussed competitions and construction, giving an inside look to her own experience at FREE as a project leader. The Symposium was opened by the founders of IaaC, Manuel Gausa, Vicente Guallart and Willy Müller, and the Directors of IaaC Lucas Capelli, Tomas Diez and Areti Markopoulou.

Cover - Valldaura Meeting, IaaC Archive Figure 1 - Stuart Maggs lecture, IaaC Archive Figure 2 - Liv Grete Framgard, IaaC Archive Figure 3 - Symposium, IaaC Archive 2

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In the first session, focussed on young architects, new ideas and future projects, Anna Kulik + Giorgio Badalacci (Russia + Colombia, 2012). shared their competion winner project “Muralla de Cartagena” with MOBO Architects; Liv Grete Framgard (Norway, 2012). About Innovation and self-sufficiency in refugee settings, specifically about Za’atari refugee camp, Jordan; and Stuart Maggs (UK, 2013), and his professional working experience in catalan studios, CLOUD 9 and External Reference, also spoke.

The second session’s discussion was centered on Research with Gabriel Bello Diaz (USA, 2012) Co-founder of SoDo MakerSpace explains todays “hands-on” architects and STEM school collaborations in Seattle, Oregon; Aldo Sollazo + Chirag Rangholia + Efilena Baseta (Italy + India +Greece, 2013-14) A take on a research and academic knowledge sharing and project development with NOUMENA architecture; and Maite Bravo (Chile, 2008) Was the discussion modulator sharing her wide experience and knowledge of the field of Academic Research, and discussing strategies of its further development with her fellow Alumni.

We then moved on to discussing Non-Scalar Architecture with Drew Carson (USA, 2013) Offered a presentation of his collaboration with VIMOD, studio dedicated to the development of interactive architecture and design; Alessandra Antonetti + Anna Popova (Italy + Russia, 2012) Were

Figure 4 - Minibuilders, IaaC Archive Figure 5 - Collective, Building by Associative Data 6

focused on 3d printing technology and fashion. On going collaborator of WONDERLUK; Lana Awad (Jordan, 2012) Continued the discussion on 3d printing field focused in prosthetic technology for refugee victims; and Anastasia Pistofidou (Greece, 2010) Presented their vision of non scalar architecture with wearable technology like First Vision and FABtextiles. The final session touched themes of professional experiences with Luis Fraguada (Puerto Rico, 2007) “Calculated Risks� from 3d printed food to big scale projects in Lebanon with his studio BAD; and Miguel Guerrero (Spain, 2011) Architect, builder and maker. Giving his point of view in todays construction environment vs FABmade projects.

Some closing words were given by Mathilde Marengo, whom coordinated the organization of the event, and Rodrigo Aguirre, current IaaC Community Manager.

After the Symposium, the discussion continued more informally with some nice cold beers at hand, amidst the IaaC Alumni Exhibition, with projects form the IaaC Alumni | Call for Projects, that will be the basis, along with the Symposium content, for the 1st IaaC Alumni Publication. The meeting proved very fruitful, aside from being an extremely pleasant event, and marks the beginning of a serious commitment both from IaaC, and from the Alumni, to further develop this network and its potentials.

Figure 4 - Fabtextiles, IaaC Archive Figure 5 - NERO, IaaC Archive

Copyright Š 2014 Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia All rights Reserved.

IAAC BITS

IAAC

DIRECTOR:

IAAC SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:

Manuel Gausa, IaaC Dean

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Jordi Vivaldi, IaaC bits Editorial Coordinator

EDITORIAL TEAM Manuel Gausa, IaaC Dean Mathilde Marengo, Communication & Publication Jordi Vivaldi, IaaC bits Editorial Coordinator

ADVISORY BOARD: Areti Markopoulou, IaaC Academic Director Tomas Diez, Fab Lab Bcn Director Silvia Brandi, Academic Coordinator Ricardo Devesa, Advanced Theory Concepts Maite Bravo, Advanced Theory Concepts

DESIGN: Ramon Prat, ACTAR Editions

IAAC BIT FIELDS: 1. Theory for Advanced Knowledge 2. Advanced Cities and Territories 3. Advanced Architecture 4. Digital Design and Fabrication 5. Interactive Societies and Technologies 6. Self-Sufficient Lands

Nader Tehrani, Architect, Director MIT School Architecture, Boston Juan Herreros, Architect, Professor ETSAM, Madrid Neil Gershenfeld, Physic, Director CBA MIT, Boston Hanif Kara, Engineer, Director AKT, London Vicente Guallart, Architect, Chief City Arquitect of Barcelona Willy Muller, Director of Barcelona Regional Aaron Betsky, Architect & Art Critic, Director Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Hugh Whitehead, Engineer, Director Foster+ Partners technology, London Nikos A. Salingaros, Professor at the University of Texas, San Antonio Salvador Rueda, Ecologist, Director Agencia Ecologia Urbana, Barcelona Artur Serra, Anthropologist, Director I2CAT, Barcelona

PUBLISHED BY: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia ISSN 2339 - 8647 CONTACT COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS OFFICE: communication@iaac.net

Institut for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia Barcelona

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