CONTEXT
The building material is traditionally defined by the territory. Anchored in the surrounding, materials helped to culturally define our building environment and, by their character, they offer a variety of design possibilities. In their aesthetics we find territorial similarities and differences. Thus, the art of building is shaped by the use of materials, the social understanding of space, and the meaningful design of forms.
Today, we do not only look at landscape and its resources of its pure and raw point of view. Urban spaces are seen as sources of materials as-well. Studio EAST dedicates 4 years to selected groups of materials in order to investigate their SUSTAINABLE REALITY. The outcome of each year will be shared in an open source publication.
Based on the idea that sustainable reality relies on an immediate shift in the way we perceive, transform as well as use resources, we believe that the use of natural stone has obvious inherent potential, tackling contemporary challenges as the issue of material resources, cultural values and circular economy.
During this first semester, the studio deals with mineral materials under the term CRITICAL MASS. We experiment with stones from natural and urban contexts; analyse methods of industrial production and develop aesthetic related categories for a sustainable architectural perception.
The strength, massiveness and stability of natural stone stands for cultural values such as reliability, durability and continuity, real assets on which we can rely for future buildings. Therefore, how can natural stone and its inherited knowledge of ancient building practice, from monumental to archaic references, enrich the current discussion towards a more sustainable architecture?
ENCLOSING LANDSCAPES
After focusing on the interaction between form and material, students have been asked to integrate a given landscape in the narrative of their project, enclosing this fragment by composed walls. The built does not exist detached from its surrounding landscape, and they grow and erect out of the same ground - therefore they are mutually dependent. Just like the built, landscape consists of spaces. Spaces which are socially produced or constructed, which material and cultural value are clearly physically and intellectually perceptible. The narrative that leads to the form and type of enclosure is left open to the students interpretation, choices and design actions, in order to develop a specific atmospheric space.
Studio EAST thanks all the guests, participators and students for their interesting input, thoughts and work on the topic.
Amin Taha - GROUPWORK
Francis Jacquier - ATELIER ARCHIPLEIN
Maurizio Cesprini - ASSOCIAZIONE CANOVA
Mario Galiana Liras - UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRE
Petrus Aejmaelaeus-Lindström - GRAMAZIO KOHLER ETHZ
Phillip Rück - MATTEC
Thibaut Barrault - BARRAULT PRESSACCO
Tristan Pestre - CTMNC