Copy of Soft Architecture HS2024

Lecturers: Roman Kirschner and Anthea Oestreicher

Contents and Objectives

The seminar is an introduction into designing (with) spaces. „Soft Architecture“ differs from the classical idea of architecture in that it does not aim to build permanently habitable spaces. It rather encourages students to experiment with existing spaces, to ask what they offer and how they can be adapted to communicate and afford specific atmospheres, narratives, rules, actions and interactions.

Experimenting with spaces comprises experimentation with structures and materials that give these spaces character. Through trial and error, bodily experiences and discussions, students develop their sensitivity and intuition as designers.

This year we will approach this experimentation with an ecological twist. Since spaces are neither abstract nor clinically pure, we also always have to take microbiological lifeforms and entropy into account. In this year’s issue will deal with microscopic/planktonic life forms, growth processes, environmental conditions, microcosms, and technically mediated connections between micro ecologies in playful settings.

Schedule

Course: 16.09. – 10.10.2024

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9-17

Week 1

• Einführung

• Ideenentwicklung (und Teamfindung)

• Spielentwicklung (Thema/Ziel/Regeln/Umsetzung)

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Locations

Indoor Studio:

16.09. – 03.10.: Room: Projektraum 4.K22-1 (09:00-17:00) + Werkstatt + other rooms for occasional presentations (see schedule above)

7.10. - 10.10. Kunstraum ZT 5.K12

Exhibition Vernissage: 9.10. 15:00

Bring for field day/ working at the site:

Tools for documentation, water equipment that might be needed (swim suit, rubber boots), 

basic construction material by preference (tapes, cable ties, strings, small tools, saw (?), knife (?), textiles (?)), 

Field research task:

Develop attention for atmosphere, presence, performances (of spaces, people, materials), fields (of actions, of influences), rhythms of environment (sea, wind, season), different time frames, collaboration with the landscape, interactions between people, materials, and spaces.

Design task:

Develop a temporary piece of architecture or spatial intervention in any of available locations (underwater, coast, abandoned military architectures). We demand a strong conceptual involvement but it is most of all about concrete experiences and tests!

Subtask:

How to recreate or represent the experiences and spaces from the field trip back in Toni?