WS 23/24

BACHELOR

Design Studio: Studio Space

To live means to go from one space to another.
(Georges Perec)

Our everyday life is spatial. Our daily routines and actions unfold in space and create space. In Studio Space I, you will engage with your everyday routines and your everyday environment as an intertwining of space-using, space-perceiving, and space-creating actions and experiences. The seemingly familiar, the familiar, and the habitual evaporate in favor of spaces of possibility to be rediscovered and redesigned. As students of architecture, you will move from being creatures of habit and routinizers to discoverers and designers of the surprising in the everyday.

 

Exercise: Basics of Design Theory

In the context of the exercise that accompanies the lecture series "Grundlagen der Entwurfslehre" you will analyze a selection of architecturally and historically relevant buildings. The aim of the exercise is to examine built architectural references from different epochs under specific aspects such as spatial structure as well as functional arrangement and to present and representthem in form of drawings and models.

 

Design Studio: Tabula Rasa?

In 1923, exactly one hundred years ago, Le Corbusier published his book “Vers une architecture”. Like no other he blatantly and polemically promoted his vision of an architectural tabula rasa. The demolition of large parts of historic Paris became the center piece of his visual argument. Recently, a century after Le Corbusier initiated his aggressive campaign for the tabula-rasa, the “Abrissmoratorium” has been published demanding the re-use and re-appropriation of existing buildings thus putting an end to an endless process of architectural eradication and erection. There are important reasons for a radical re-appropriation of the existing built fabric. That acknowledgement triggers an important question though for today's architectural production: Is the idea of the tabula rasa dead? Even toxic?

The concept of tabula rasa takes its name from the Latin term for a smoothly chafed wax-tablet. Based on a rigorous and imaginative exploration of various interpretations, readings and manifestations of this concept each student will embark on a design exploration in search for a meaningful role of the tabula rasa in today´s architectural, social and ecological reality. Building upon the allegory of the wax-tablet critical questions emerge: What is the perimeter of the tablet? What is being smoothly chafed? By whom and to what end?

The studio “Tabula Rasa?” is the first in the newly initiated studio sequence called “toxic topics”.

 

MASTER

Design Studio: Tabula Rasa?

In 1923, exactly one hundred years ago, Le Corbusier published his book “Vers une architecture”. Like no other he blatantly and polemically promoted his vision of an architectural tabula rasa. The demolition of large parts of historic Paris became the center piece of his visual argument. Recently, a century after Le Corbusier initiated his aggressive campaign for the tabula-rasa, the “Abrissmoratorium” has been published demanding the re-use and re-appropriation of existing buildings thus putting an end to an endless process of architectural eradication and erection. There are important reasons for a radical re-appropriation of the existing built fabric. That acknowledgement triggers an important question though for today's architectural production: Is the idea of the tabula rasa dead? Even toxic?

The concept of tabula rasa takes its name from the Latin term for a smoothly chafed wax-tablet. Based on a rigorous and imaginative exploration of various interpretations, readings and manifestations of this concept each student will embark on a design exploration in search for a meaningful role of the tabula rasa in today´s architectural, social and ecological reality. Building upon the allegory of the wax-tablet critical questions emerge: What is the perimeter of the tablet? What is being smoothly chafed? By whom and to what end?

The studio “Tabula Rasa?” is the first in the newly initiated studio sequence called “toxic topics”.

 

Seminar: Inquiry about ZKM

In this online research seminar, we will explore the multifaceted nature of architectural production by examining the design project of the ZKM building. While studying the design project is just one approach to understanding architecture, we recognize the existence of numerous other sources that can shed light on its intricacies. By delving into the subject, we aim to unravel the reasons behind the unexpected cancellation of the ZKM project just a few months before construction was scheduled to begin. Through an exploration of politics, costs, and interpersonal relationships, we will rewrite an alternative history, presenting a fresh perspective on this captivating architectural endeavour. We will challenge conventional narratives and uncover hidden truths surrounding the ZKM project.

Since 2019, our team has been dedicated to uncovering the rich historical narrative surrounding the ZKM building.

In this seminar, we will guide participants on how to effectively organise and advance their own research. Learn valuable techniques on selecting intriguing facts from vast archive material, collected at the Rotterdam Archive. The seminar culminates with the publication of a zine, showcasing our findings.