Architectural Design V-IX: Athens: 37.98 N, 23.73 E (Charbonnet/Heiz)

Abstract

PATHFINDER 8 is dedicated to the timeless city of ATHENS: its intricate history, morphology, mythology… all canonical spatial parameters suggested by Lefebvre: political, sociological, anthropological, economical, temporal. Our interest will focus both on the banal and the sublime, on habits and exceptions, individual rites and social encounters.

Objective

Researching Contemporary Concepts & Curating multidisciplinary Sources; Articulating a discursive Argument; Mastering Visual Literacy & Storytelling, Image Mounting & Composing, Architectural Drafting & Projecting.

Content

“The Acropolis of Athens has an equal right to be called the perfect example of one of the most ancient films.” – Sergei Eisenstein, Montage and Architecture (1938) PATHFINDER 8 is dedicated to the timeless city of ATHENS: its intricate history, morphology, mythology… all canonical spatial parameters suggested by Lefebvre: political, sociological, anthropological, economical, temporal.* Our interest will focus both on the banal and the sublime, on habits and exceptions, individual rites and social encounters. As the ordinary interweaves thousands of beats, repetitive tunes and syncopated breaks, there can be no territoriality without its temporalities, may it be that of urbanisation, of experience, or of dreams. Critical considerations, interlaced with the lure of fiction, shall initiate alternate (hi)stories and cityscapes. In the design studio we will draft, mount, design, discuss, play… confront our perspectives onto contemporaneity and ultimately imagine audacious yet playful architectural and territorial fictions. A series of lectures, screenings and discussions will enrich our investigations. *see: Lefebvre, Henri. The Production of Space (1974) & Rhythmanalysis: Space, Time and Everyday Life (1992). METHODOLOGY 1. Draw the chosen environment within the city of Athens (f.i. Syntagma), having in mind its architectural ancient Greek archetype (f.i. Agora). 2. After analysing its spatial mechanisms, depict the tragedy associated to the environment through architectural notations. 3. Using the analysed environment and tragedy as design opportunities, propose a possible architectural or urbanistic scenario, the promise of a possible reality to come. 4. Elaborate a coherent narrative supported by a curated selection of multidisciplinary sources.

Resources