Architectural Design IV: One to One to One to Ten Thousand (A. Comte/A. Meuwly)

Abstract

Everything is transformation. The world we live in is being increasingly densified, not only in terms of what is built but also of ecosystems, social interactions, economic interests, political relations. In this context, we must look seriously at the existing: What qualities are there? What is really obsolete? What can we enhance? How to start with what is already there?

Objective

As a collective space of research, teaching and design, the studio explores the relation between construction and the climatic, political and economic conditions its context entails, how they inform each other and how this relation can be enhanced and transformed positively. We will explore different transformation strategies to make the most out of every existing potential: from one-to-one construction over specific site explorations to critical project proposals, from the territorial scale to the detail. Each scale entails new constraints - and with them, new opportunities. A crack, a leftover, a misalignment - every detail is an opening. There are no preconceived solutions. It’s about being opportunistic, in a positive way. The working environment is based on reciprocal respect and responsibility. The learning objectives for every student in this semester are: PART 4: Show technical and critical understanding through architectural drawings of an existing situation and a transformation project. Use architectural drawings as means to question and develop a transformation strategy into a relevant variation within a group investigation. Understand and use drawings as a way to explain and narrate a project in different scales, from the detail to the plan and section. Develop a precise expression of your attitude through clear architectural decisions, the conscious choices in the drawing process and a concise narration/presentation. Work independently and present work and ideas coherently and comprehensibly. PART 5: Develop a critical understanding of a specific context and formulate a clear attitude and strategy towards the site. Develop the skills to build and adapt a constructive model, and use this model as a working tool to investigate, develop and present your proposal. In parallel, express your attitude towards the existing through the planning, execution and documentation of a site-specific action related to your proposal. Integrate the existing built environment, the diverse uses of the space and potential unpredictabilities into your work, and document the action in a suited video format. Collaboration is essential: demonstrate the ability to work, learn and communicate as a group, become agent on site individually and collectively. Present work and ideas concisely, coherently and comprehensibly. PART 6: Use the contextual constraints as an opportunity to formulate an attitude and to develop a site-specific transformation proposal that becomes part of a shared vision for the larger context. Further develop your proposal through the integration of all previous parts of the studio work into a coherent and thorough narrative. Express clear spatial and architectural intentions in plans, sections and models and show an understanding of structural and constructive performance throughout the scales. Demonstrate the ability to work, learn and communicate as a group with respect and inclusivity. Synthesize the work and ideas into a cohesive, comprehensible and relevant project for the site and present it concisely and coherently. TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE: Present work and ideas concisely, coherently and comprehensibly. Produce and use architectural (re-)presentation methods to convey a critical stance, including precise hand and computer aided drawings, sketches, models, one-to-one construction, text, photography among others. Transfer the knowledge you gathered and developed in the studio to other students, external guests and a general audience. Integrate the previous work of the studio into your personal knowledge base to develop and specify a proposal.

Content

EVERYTHING IS TRANSFORMATION: The world we live in today is in constant transformation. The density of our environment is increasing, not only from a mathematical point of view but also in terms of the high density of interactions, the general frenzy that surrounds us, the almost infinite speed of change and evolution, daily innovations, new norms, new criteria, new relations. In order for these transformations to have a positive impact on the way we live together, we must develop a deep and critical interest in the potentials that already exist. We must take a serious look and ask: What qualities are there? What is really obsolete? What can we enhance? CONTEXT: DENSIFICATION/INTENSIFICATION Today, in Switzerland, in an effort to limit urban sprawl, transformations of the built environment mainly occur within already developed areas: active or abandoned industrial zones, low-density residential neighborhoods, vacant lots, etc. These situations lead to complex, but above all, extremely rich intervention contexts. In light of the current climate and social emergencies, these environments—shaped by successive layers of use over time—cannot be ignored. We therefore propose to adopt an exploratory approach that embraces the diversity of transformation possibilities of a place, rooted in the richness of the existing fabric. ONE TO ONE TO ONE TO TEN THOUSAND: Working with available substance not only requires a strong and clear architectonic approach. It is a complex process of re-interpretation for the structures to be re-activated, charged with a greater diversity, co-existing in a place where the past, present, and future are merged in an exciting organism. The project is not the pure result of a design, a style, or a form: it comes from a complex assembly of conditions and scales, combined in a precise narrative. In a series of exercises, we will explore different hands-on transformation strategies: from dissective drawing over on-site engagement to thorough architectural project proposals. These exercises continue a series of steps, iterations, trials, attempts, failures, and hypotheses, aimed at specifying a position, determining a way of acting. CRITICAL CONSTRUCTION: We will develop an attitude that seeks to constantly reconsider the questions, to redefine problematics, to challenge what we take for granted. We cannot answer a specific question with a general answer or a standard detail. We will draw, explore and design specific construction details, focusing on the relationship with existing buildings. The goal is making the most out of every opportunity, out of every resource used, to achieve maximum efficiency. There are no preconceived solutions. It’s about being opportunistic, in a positive way.

Resources