Review 2015-16 uni.li MSc Architecture

2016 SUMMER SEMESTER

REVIEW

Master of Science in Architecture Institute of Architecture and Planning

Review

Architecture is experiencing what is labelled «the social turn». This has not only been highlighted in this year’s architectural biennale in Venice, curated by Alejandro Aravena, but is also ever present in the studio projects conducted in the Master’s degree programme in architecture at the University of Liechtenstein. In all three design studios, led by Prof.

Peter Droege with Anis Radzi, Prof. Dietrich Schwarz with Martin Mackowitz and myself with Georgia Papathanasiou, students were challenged by issues that go beyond the mere design of architectural object.

Prof. Peter Droege’s studio developed visionary proposals for the future of a vast mine in Lusatia in Germany, paying particular attention to their ecological and social impact. Prof. Schwarz’ studio worked once again in Israel, designing innovative models for an urban Kibbutz in this melting pot of ethnicities and religions that is Jerusalem. And my studio questioned the future role of the architect within society and thus architectural education as a whole in conceiving new schools of thought. All three have in common that while possible answers were given by the fantastic students’ projects, more importantly critical questions arose. What responsibilities does the architect have? How can the architect make a difference in helping to solve conflicts? How can the architect improve the built environment on a local scale considering global factors?

The results produced by students were a fabulous catalogue of ideas that indicate that the students themselves start to interpret and understand their role as architects differently, wanting to take more action, to intervene and speak out when necessary and to make their ideas reach a wider public. I applaud this tendency as a «social turn» in architecture has to manifest itself first and foremost in education and among students if it were to really change architecture in the future.

PETER STAUB Head of Institute and Academic Director of the Master’s degree Programme

Model TERESA RÄDLER

Studio Peter Droege Tutor: Anis Radzi

Design Studio

Climate Refuge City

Visualisation Salah hamzha

This studio engages in the design of regenerative buildings and cities as havens for refugees. The transformation of a region long dominated by the mining, processing and combustion of coal is our focus. The project is staged in the fascinating region of Lusatia between Berlin and the Polish border, where brown coal is being quarried in vast open-cut fields swallowing up villages, burnt day and night, heating the atmosphere, turning our oceans into acid – and us all into climate refugees. Bold and rapid action is needed to cease and reverse environmental, social

Design Studio

Visualisation Iurii goncharenko

and cultural destruction. This studio pursues the model transformation of planet endangering worlds into regenerative oases, confronting global warming and the refugee age through the rise of resilient regions and the transition to renewable energy. Here we develop new approaches to architecture and landscape design.

Project by Iurii Goncharenko : Technological Community This is the vision for a “Technological Community� to replace lignite mining as the main economic activity in Lusatia. It is based on the existing local infrastructure and highly qualified specialists in the fields of renewable energy and societal engineering. This social structure will

Design Studio

serve as a model for a new type of city that will be independent and socially strong: the fusion of three community, built on a new spirit of technological innovation. A related goal is to create the conditions in which investors, business and community members will cooperate with one other for the efficient use of essential resource infrastructures (energy, water, materials, transport, telecommunications and information), and stimulate sustainable development of the renewable energy sector as the pillar of a sustainable and ethical information society.

Design Studio

Visualisation omer chaudhary

Presentation Tapiwa Manase

Studio Dietrich Schwarz

Photo tERESA RÄDLER

Tutor: Martin Mackowitz

Design Studio

Learning from Jerusalem

“Conflict, Negotiation and the Architecture of the City” was the theme that was carried by the Studio Schwarz in collaboration with Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the municipality of Jerusalem. The task was based on the observation and the understating of this disputed territory and its origin, in order to find the reason and the essence of peace. We focused on the physical borderlines between Palestine and Israel, but also on the political, ethical, ideological and every kind of border and aspect that divides or unifies its society. We continued also with the theme of concentration and its relation to sustainability, understanding all the layers of culture, history and architecture, which

were translated to knowledge. The subject was first approached by the analysis of the three physical parameters of reality: time, space and matter. Then we got closer to it with an excursion seminar in Jerusalem, that helped to clarify many of the questions that arised with the research and allowed us to create our own imaginary of the city and its situation. The result then was a project that aims to serve as base for the resolution of conflicts and to shape the ideal of peace for the future.

Design Studio

Perspective Section tERESA RÄDLER

Siteplan tERESA RÄDLER

Design Studio

Extract of Teresa Rädler’s thesis project “Common”: The following work focuses on the design of an Urban Kibbutz in the social, cultural and spatial context of Malha, Jerusalem. With particular regard to the specific characteristics of Jerusalem the potentials of a fruitful dialogue, collaboration and cohabitation are investigated, and the impact of the design on the experience of the quality of life is explored.

Thereby the incorporation of spatial and atmospheric density inspires the proposal of an urban

village, where built and cultivated landscape interfere and a dense network of natural, private, shared and public spaces offers a frame for a local lifestyle, social neighborhoods, and an authentic sensual experience of the local characteristics. The development of the project in a regional, urban, and detailed approach renders the Urban Kibbutz as a holistic concept for the establishment of a local identity and the promotion of the sustainable development of a high-quality habitat Jerusalem.

Design Studio

Visualisation tERESA RÄDLER

Visualisation tERESA RÄDLER

Studio Peter Staub Tutor: Georgia Papathanasiou

A New School of Thought

Design Studio

Studio models

During the Sumer Semester Studio Staub was on a mission to conceive, propose and design new schools of thought within the realm of the architectural discipline.

developed the very own new school of thought, taking a position on the current architectural scene/milieu and the contemporary system of architectural education.

During the last half of the semester The studio was divided in two main students developed and differentiated parts, the research and the design. In the common manifesto while produced the first half the semester students in individual spatial configurations for new close collaboration with architects, schools of architecture. They speculated educators and other experts approached, on what and how to learn, while researched and investigated architecture simultaneously conceived, imagined and schools and different educational designed spaces that emerge from the systems from the far past to the very common manifesto and the ideological present. The compendium of this conception of knowledge production. research was collected in a form of a By proposing spatial and syntactic digital archive that served later as a structures, the projects manifested basis for the formulation of a common different forms of learning processes manifesto. In the manifesto the students and mediation.

Design Studio

Visualisation Michal mrĂĄz

Students’ work was included in a publication, event and performance part of the Salon Suisse 2016 on the opening day of the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale, in Venice.

The final students proposals challenged the current landscape of architectural education while provoke a series of interesting discussions not only for the educational system in architecture but as well as for the spaces architecture is been taught or mediated.

Models ka hang yu, simon frick, anina frei, leander tommelein, paulina frankowska

Design Studio

Extract of Michal Mráz’s thesis project “Faculty of Architecture in Prague”: Given the special character of the city of Prague and the location of the site (close to the historic city centre) the new school of architecture addresses the critical topic of heritage. The approach to heritage protection as manifested by the school has both a sensitive and a provocative character.

Therefore, heritage protection cannot be refrained in a mere clinical conservation but instead it could be seen as a more dynamic condition.

On the one hand, the main aim of the school is to teach students how to become visionary architects, critical

thinkers and public figures. The proposed curriculum establishes a sort of rules between tutors and students. The educational system is dynamically personalized and students are being given the freedom to define and explore their own interests. The new school of architecture fills a specific niche within the landscape of architectural education. It challenges the current status quo by approaching students differently – they are being trusted more in their ability to decide about what they are going to acquire from their studies. They are expected to have opinions. They are not expected to be able to perfectly solve any given task. The teaching procedure is been challenged as well. Students are expected to co-create their own task as asking the right question is incomparably more important than virtuously answering a wrong one. For doing so they are given a framework of curriculum with very few simple rules to play with. The curriculum is characterized by considerable amount of time that a student spends not being present in the actual school but by exploring the world either on his own or in a group.

Design Studio

Leporello Michal mráz

On the other hand, the new school of architecture attempts to create quality exclusively with what is already in place; not only by using existing buildings but also by building on existing institutions. It does not introduce many new structures, physical or organizational. It rather plugs-in, rewires and reorganizes the existing and transforming it into a new while at the same time establishing a symbiotic relationship with the city. The school attempts to enrich the urban life of the city of Prague while avoiding a city-sized museum situation. It uses the urban fabric of the city while stitching an additional unnoticed layer that triggers a new urban life. It manifests one but not the only possible way of dealing with a city.

The studio was conducted in close collaboration with institutions and individuals working on the ongoing research project with the same name, short «NeST» (www.uni.li/nest). NeST is being conducted in collaboration with the following research partners: the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London (AA), the Institute for Art and Architecture of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the Faculty of Design Sciences of the University of Antwerp and Umeå University School of Architecture in Sweden.

Cultural Identities

The events of last year, known as the refugee crisis, have given unfamiliar tasks to our “perfect world”, not really unforeseen but fast and vehement.

Solutions for a new way of living together have to be found, independent from optimistic action and pessimistic resistance. Especially a spatial answer is necessary for the demands of living side by side and together with “others”.

Architects have to prove their ability to act socially relevant instead of emphasizing the superficial. Architecture is slow by nature, nevertheless a fast reaction is necessary: the future is now. Not to forget, first comes knowledge about and understanding of the cultural diversities.

During Summer semester 2016 we have prepared ourselves for a one year emphasis on “cultural identities”, in Winter semester 2016/17 answers on a variety of questions have to be worked out in all different Design Studios. Sociologists say that “spaces for conflicts” have to exist in order to convert friction into positive energy. Without any doubt, there will be friction in the studios, assumingly and hopefully converted into projects of high quality, but also awareness and attitude.

Louis Kahn was saying that good architecture is the result of a good discussion amongst individual spaces – same thing applies for men, women and society.

Annual topic

Hugo Dworzak Head of the Institute of Architecture and Planning 2012-2016

Design Seminar Workshop Studio Dietrich Schwarz with Harvard GSD and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Studio Peter Staub in the archithese 2.2016 issue

Graduation ceremony Photo: Paul Trummer

Semester Impressions

on the make #mixandmatch #unili #model #monday

Design Seminar Studio Peter Droege

Design Seminar Studio Peter Staub

Semester Impressions

Excursion MEDIATING ARCHITECTURE with Celina Martinez

News

sia recognition In February 2016, the master alumnus Samuel WĂźst received a recognition award for his Master Thesis Project of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects sia, Section for the conservation of buildings.

Solar landmark at the uni.li campus The council of Vaduz has decided to realize the solar power project “GO Solar” of the University of Liechtenstein and to build two photovoltaic systems with a total power production of 148.000 kWh / year on campus. The project was developed by the two architecture students Daniel Gonzalez Alonso and Luis Jaimes Camargo as part of their master’s degree programme.

News

Frontiers in Architectural education Liechtenstein as guests of «Salon Suisse 2016» at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale.

Based on the University of Liechtenstein’s research project «New Schools of Thought» new models of architectural education were being presented and discussed. www.uni.li/nest

2016/17 WINTER SEMESTER

Lecture Series: Cultural Identities Institute of Architecture and Planning

Foto FATTINGER

Foto RALPH FEINER

own architectural firm in Chur. In addition to numerous awards for Good Building in the Grisons, for New Building in the 17.11.2016, Thu 6–7.30pm Alps, for the Grisons Wood/Special Prize CONRADIN CLAVUOT ON BUILDING IN Wood Crafts and for Best Family Homes, THE ALPINE REGION he received the 2011 International H1, University of Liechtenstein Brunel Award for the development and How can tradition survive or even be design of Chur train station. 2010–2016 translated innovatively into today? How he held a guest professorship in the do we identify the needs of a culture, Master’s degree programme at the to translate them into specific uses and Institute of Architecture and Planning at typologies? Conradin Clavuot reports on the University of Liechtenstein, where his architectural practice in the alpine he supervised Laurentiu Tiberiu Stancu, region in the tension between tradition the winner of the “European Architectural and innovation. Since his diploma degree Medal” for the Best Diplome Project in at ETH Zurich in 1988, Conradin runs his 2015.

15.12.2016, Thu 6–7.30pm FATTINGER ORSO ARCHITECTS ON PLANNING CULTURES H1, University of Liechtenstein How do cultural identities influence our planning culture? Which identities do meet in a region, a city, or a village?

Which stakeholder from politics, business, or culture decide actually really what our environment looks like?

Why should it play a role, whether my neighbour, an architect or an investor builds in my neighbourhood? Fattinger Orso Architektur is a Vienna-based

Design and Fabrication Studio working at the intersection of architecture, art and design. The work ranges from small object design, interior projects, exhibition design to public art installations, cultural productions and urban interventions, as well as lecturing and teaching. Motivated by the will to maintain the conceptual, architectural and economic control of their projects the studio ideally acts as developer, designer and constructor, working beyond the classical spectre of architectural practice.

Calendar EXHIBITIONS 19.09.–17.10.2016 BRICK WORKS Foyer, University of Liechtenstein The studio Urs Meister and Carmen Rist presents the projects of the last summer semester. www.uni.li/architecture 25.10.–04.11.2016 WORLD EXCURSION FORUM Architektür-Foyer, University of Liechtenstein The themes, experiences and discoveries of the excursions and seminars of Winter Semester 2016 will be shown in a shared presentation. www.uni.li/architecture 29.11.–23.12.2016 4 BY 4. THE ID OF AN ARCHITECT Foyer, Universität Liechtenstein What is the identity of an architect?

How does it emerge? What does it refer to? The University of Liechtenstein’s Design Studio tutors will present their self-portrait as architects based on selected and annotated books, pictures, places and tools. www.uni.li/architecture

PRESENTATIONS 02.–04.11.2016, Wed–Fri 9am–5pm MIDTERMS Atelier, Auditorium and Foyer, University of Liechtenstein www.uni.li/architecture 18.–20.01.2017, Wed–Fri 9am–5pm FINALS Atelier, Auditorium and Foyer, University of Liechtenstein www.uni.li/architecture

OTHER 19.11.2016, Sat 9pm UNIBALL Auditorium, University of Liechtenstein Students, Alumni, Staff as well as their guests and the public are warmly invited to join this festive event. www.uni.li/uniball

INFO-EVENT 12.11.2016, Sat 1-4pm OPEN HOUSE University of Liechtenstein A day for high school graduates, students and professionals. The University informs about the different education opportunities. www.uni.li/infotag

Imprint Institute of Architecture and Planning at the University of Liechtenstein, September 2016 Editorial: Cornelia Faisst Graphic Concept: Annett Höland Print: BVD Druck+Verlag AG