Science Day 2024 ALLIANCES curated by aob 

 

ALLIANCES is the title of the upcoming Science Day 2024 organized by the recently established Junior Professorship of Construction and Design – “act of building” (aob).  

Since many years we have been witnessing the surge of multiple crisis linked to the architecture field, ranging from the climate crisis to the housing crisis. These events have been in part shaping the architectural discourse and inspired the narrative of many present (and future) practices. The architectural society has been discussing and developing ideas in response to these challenges. How these responses are received depend heavily on political and market-driv- en agendas; architectural ideas for the future risk being limited in their implementation by outdated and systemic relations between humans and nature. New sorts of alliances must be set up in order to break this pattern.  

The Science Day wishes to probe for alliances along 3 strategies which the chair of aob has been working on since its start 2 years ago. We have invited a variety of international architects and think- ers to present provocations which they belief to be needed in order stimulate a radical shift in the mindset of architecture scenes and local construction sectors.  

The event will take place in an informal setting of which the audi- ence is an integral part. We look forward to a fruitful and inspiring exchange. We hope to raise new questions and ideas, to motivate to act and, most importantly, to become allies of change.  

 

Prototyping Architecture  

 

“Prototyping Architecture” suggests looking at architecture as an ever-changing process rather than a fixed, finished structure. In this perspective, buildings are not stagnant but continually adapt and transform. They act like prototypes, evolving and presenting new possibilities while being build, used, lived in. Architecture, in this view, remains open-ended and responsive. This approach highlights the dynamic nature of architectural projects, and their capacity for change. It encourages us to reconsider architecture as an ongoing process, embracing its continuous evolution and adaptability.  

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Nikolaus Hirsch (moderator), Andrea Klinge, Pauline Lefevbre and Laurens Bekemans.  

 

Material Agencies 

 

Modern distinctions, like nature/human and nature/culture, are replaced by a focus on extended processes over time and space, where networks of people and matter overlap and differ. Material agencies go beyond the influence of designers; it is materials and their cultures that define the possibilities of our constructions. Shifting attention to matter as an active force, the aesthetic and ethical aspects of architecture take on new meanings.  

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Veronique Patteeuw (moderator), Michael Ghyoot, Guillaume Habert and Ken De Cooman.  

 

Collective Learning 

 

In recent decades, we have witnessed a significant rise in the prevalence of practices organized as collectives and collaborations across various domains, in particular creative agencies. These innovative structures have delivered exceptional achievements, reshaping architecture, and architecture models. However, one sphere where this transformation has been slower to take root is within educational institutions, notably universities.  

We wish to delve into the evolving landscape of collaborative structures and their influence on education. Universities, often characterized by their bureaucratic nature and deep-rooted traditions, tend to resist change. The established norms and structures within these institutions can be resistant to adaptation, making it difficult to introduce new approaches. 

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Axel Sowa (moderator), James Binning, Angelika Hinterbrandner and Theresa Zschäbitz. 

 

Program of the Day 6/6/2024  

 

10:30 Prototyping Architecture 

 

Nikolaus Hirsch CIVA Brussels  

Andrea Klinge KIT + ZRS Architekten Ingenieure  

Pauline Lefevbre ULB  

Laurens Bekemans  RWTH + BC 

 

14:00 Material Agencies 

 

Véronique Patteeuw ENSAP Lille + OASE  

Michael Ghyoot  ROTOR 

Guillaume Habert ETHZ  

Ken De Cooman RWTH + BC 

 

16:00 Collective Learning 

 

Axel Sowa RWTH + Candide  

James Binning EPFL + Assemble 

Angelika Hinterbrandner ETHZ + kontextur 

Theresa Zschäbitz RWTH + BC 

 

Link to register: 

https://forms.gle/r8z16VQAhBGoYA2t6

 

Science Day 2024 ALLIANCES curated by aob 

 

ALLIANCES is the title of the upcoming Science Day 2024 organized by the recently established Junior Professorship of Construction and Design – “act of building” (aob).  

Since many years we have been witnessing the surge of multiple crisis linked to the architecture field, ranging from the climate crisis to the housing crisis. These events have been in part shaping the architectural discourse and inspired the narrative of many present (and future) practices. The architectural society has been discussing and developing ideas in response to these challenges. How these responses are received depend heavily on political and market-driv- en agendas; architectural ideas for the future risk being limited in their implementation by outdated and systemic relations between humans and nature. New sorts of alliances must be set up in order to break this pattern.  

The Science Day wishes to probe for alliances along 3 strategies which the chair of aob has been working on since its start 2 years ago. We have invited a variety of international architects and think- ers to present provocations which they belief to be needed in order stimulate a radical shift in the mindset of architecture scenes and local construction sectors.  

The event will take place in an informal setting of which the audi- ence is an integral part. We look forward to a fruitful and inspiring exchange. We hope to raise new questions and ideas, to motivate to act and, most importantly, to become allies of change.  

 

Prototyping Architecture  

 

“Prototyping Architecture” suggests looking at architecture as an ever-changing process rather than a fixed, finished structure. In this perspective, buildings are not stagnant but continually adapt and transform. They act like prototypes, evolving and presenting new possibilities while being build, used, lived in. Architecture, in this view, remains open-ended and responsive. This approach highlights the dynamic nature of architectural projects, and their capacity for change. It encourages us to reconsider architecture as an ongoing process, embracing its continuous evolution and adaptability.  

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Nikolaus Hirsch (moderator), Andrea Klinge, Pauline Lefevbre and Laurens Bekemans.  

 

Material Agencies 

 

Modern distinctions, like nature/human and nature/culture, are replaced by a focus on extended processes over time and space, where networks of people and matter overlap and differ. Material agencies go beyond the influence of designers; it is materials and their cultures that define the possibilities of our constructions. Shifting attention to matter as an active force, the aesthetic and ethical aspects of architecture take on new meanings.  

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Veronique Patteeuw (moderator), Michael Ghyoot, Guillaume Habert and Ken De Cooman.  

 

Collective Learning 

 

In recent decades, we have witnessed a significant rise in the prevalence of practices organized as collectives and collaborations across various domains, in particular creative agencies. These innovative structures have delivered exceptional achievements, reshaping architecture, and architecture models. However, one sphere where this transformation has been slower to take root is within educational institutions, notably universities.  

We wish to delve into the evolving landscape of collaborative structures and their influence on education. Universities, often characterized by their bureaucratic nature and deep-rooted traditions, tend to resist change. The established norms and structures within these institutions can be resistant to adaptation, making it difficult to introduce new approaches. 

We’ll explore this topic together with provocations of Axel Sowa (moderator), James Binning, Angelika Hinterbrandner and Theresa Zschäbitz. 

 

Program of the Day 6/6/2024  

 

10:30 Prototyping Architecture 

 

Nikolaus Hirsch CIVA Brussels  

Andrea Klinge KIT + ZRS Architekten Ingenieure  

Pauline Lefevbre ULB  

Laurens Bekemans  RWTH + BC 

 

14:00 Material Agencies 

 

Véronique Patteeuw ENSAP Lille + OASE  

Michael Ghyoot  ROTOR 

Guillaume Habert ETHZ  

Ken De Cooman RWTH + BC 

 

16:00 Collective Learning 

 

Axel Sowa RWTH + Candide  

James Binning EPFL + Assemble 

Angelika Hinterbrandner ETHZ + kontextur 

Theresa Zschäbitz RWTH + BC 

 

Link to register: 

https://forms.gle/r8z16VQAhBGoYA2t6