Does Architecture exist where Unbuilding Happens?
Thursday, 13. September 2012
Thursday, 13. September 2012
Author
Some thoughts on Jane M. Jacob’s presentation
The world upside-down: Once, architecture doesn’t contribute to the genesis of a building but to the end of a building. What was thought to be a big vision and thus built for “eternity” was – some decades later – declared to be unviable. Buildings fall out of value, because values are subject to change. How can architecture face this challenge and be involved in the life cycles of buildings and not just in their genesis?
In Glasgow a building called “The Read Road Flats” which was constructed in the early 60ties was brought down by demolition in 2012. New standards were set which made the building obsolete, but not unloved. Thus, the Glasgow Museum tasked a group of architects, geographers and artists to create a legacy of the building. This interdisciplinary group thought about what should be transferred when the state of a building is changed. They agreed on making a model of the house in form of a box that contains a lot of material put into smaller boxes and drawers. Just like a shoe shiner’s box….
Donators and Partners
The ETH Board is responsible for the strategic leadership of the ETH domain and assumes the supervision of its institutions. Its close relationship with the ETH Council has contributed to the successful continuation of Academia Engelberg Foundation since 2000.
The Foundation promotes research into the connecting human fundamentals of science. Academia Engelberg Foundation and the Foundation for Basic Research in Human Sciences have entered into a cooperation agreement for the period 2011 to 2015.
Helvetia is a quality-oriented comprehensive insurance company with over 150 years of experience. Academia Engelberg Foundation is convinced it will be able to use important synergies from the partnership starting in 2015.
A partnership with the University of Lucerne has existed since summer 2013. Since 2016 we have also a parthership with the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Lucerne. Through these partnerships, synergies are used and joint projects are tested and realized. The University of Lucerne currently consists of three faculties: the faculties for Theology, Culture and Social Sciences, and Law.