Architectural Design V-IX: HouseEurope!: The Renovation Practice (O. Grawert/A.Brandlhuber)

Abstract

As of the previous semester, this studio has become part of HouseEurope!, a European Citizens’ Initiative that advocates for legislative change on a European level. As an initiative, our aim is to boost the renovation of existing buildings and, by doing so, prevent their demolition driven by speculation.

Objective

This course encompasses a variety of formats aimed at enhancing various skills and understandings. Participants will engage in research, reading classes, writing, editing, conducting interviews, creating diagrams, performing calculations, and fact-checking to ensure a robust and factual understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, skills in drawing, filming, cutting, storytelling, and presenting will be developed to ensure a skilled and captivating way of conveying facts to an audience. - Gain an understanding of the relationship between an object, building, and system, while learning to deal with complexity and applying systemic thinking. - Comprehend various sources and perspectives, and engage in discussions about values and perspectives to acquire deep and accurate knowledge. - Develop strategic thinking and argumentation skills in conjunction with mastering the art of storytelling and narrative design. - Learn practical skills such as the techniques of camera operation and video editing, essential for effective communication and presentation.

Content

A Collective Project As of the previous semester, this studio has become part of HouseEurope!, a European Citizens’ Initiative that advocates for legislative change on a European level. As an initiative, our aim is to boost the renovation of existing buildings and, by doing so, prevent their demolition driven by speculation. By choosing this studio, you will join the initiative and become part of the collective effort for real political change. Therefore, this semester will be operated as a collective research & design project. Its structure foresees a series of exercises that begin individually and in small groups, culminating in individual projects, which then merge into one common result – similar to a film production, where all students work and contribute towards a collective goal. Your contribution is valuable and matters to the initiative! How to Build an Alternative Practice? “The biggest challenge for architects today is to design a self-sustaining practice in times of post-growth.” This quote by architect and transformation scientist Saskia Hebert (ARCH+ 251: Unternehmen Architektur, 2023) aptly summarizes the challenges we, as architects, are facing today. Aware of the construction sector’s consequences for the climate crisis and our role in it, we ask: how and what to practice in the future, to no longer contribute to this damaging practice and yet, earn and enjoy a living of practicing architecture. As our latest film “The Demolition Drama” illustrates, the renovation sector holds a great potential for the social-ecological transformation of the existing building stock. Currently, only 1% of Europe's existing buildings have been renovated. With an annual renovation rate of 1%, it would take 100 years to renovate Europe’s building stock. This is four times longer than we have and agreed to in the 2050 climate goals. Similarly, in Switzerland it will take 125 years to renovate Switzerland's building-stock existing building stock at its current rate (vgl. Sascha Nick, EPFL). Unless we would reroute the Swiss labor force within the construction sector, it could be possible to do so in only 14 years. Thus, we don't only have to renovate and transform our building stock but also the practice of building itself. In short, we have to: “Fix the office!” (vgl. Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Moratorium On New Construction.) How to Tell an Alternative Story? We aim to tell stories about alternative approaches to practicing and constructing architecture, emphasizing methods that involve preserving, adapting, renovating, and transforming existing buildings. Our focus is on practices from various countries that have successfully implemented projects for social-ecological transformation. These practices, often overlooked for a long time, span a range of scales from small to large and encompass both private and public usage. The diverse examples we showcase aim to raise awareness about the untapped potential inherent in existing structures. Our objective is to conduct comprehensive research into these practices, exploring their projects along with the stories and facts that underlie them.

Resources