Discovering Downtown Cairo – Architecture and Stories

Book Launch

10/02/2015, 4:00 pm

Goethe Institute Downtown Cairo, Bustan Street, Cairo, Egypt

The scholarly guide about the tangible and intangible heritage of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries district of Downtown Cairo presents a detailed survey of the plans and typologies of a great number of apartment buildings and links the flats with the memories and stories of their inhabitants, mapping the changes in the use of the space during time, and so giving precious hints to understand the changes in the Cairo society.

4.00 pm: Walking Tour in Downtown – The Tangible and Intangible Heritage Today

7.00 pm: Presentation of the book and panel discussion – Who is Downtown?

Book launch for Discovering Downtown Cairo at the Goethe Institute Cairo with Walking Tour and Panel Discussion.

 
 

Beijing Danwei at Beijing Design Week

Book Launch

09/25/2015, 5:30 pm

Relay Factory, 8 Dawailiangying Hutong, Dashilar, Beijing

Danwei—these were urban sectors in China that were characterized by close links between work, residence, and social facilities. They are the material product of socialist city planning and therefore provide an urban experience that forms a stepping stone between the hutongs of the imperial capital and the superblocks of the present-day metropolis. Contrary to the disused industrial sites in western cities that often disrupt the continuity and scale of the urban fabric, the danweis have a much closer relationship to the historical, as well as the contemporary city. In modern-day Beijing, the danweis represent a unique experimental field of urban design. Beijing Danwei looks at the history and future of former danweis and presents exemplary strategies for dealing with industrial heritage.

Edited by Michele Bonino and Filippo de Pieri, including essays by the editors and by Pierre-Alain Croset, Gary Hack, Thomas Herzog, Li Weidong, Liu Boying, Liu Jian, Lu Duanfang and Zhu Wenyi. With a visual essay by Jia Yue and Maria Paola Repellino.

Opening speeches: Enrico Macii (Vice-president, Politecnico di Torino), Zhang Li (Tsinghua

University)

Discussants: Florence Graezer Bideau (Ecole Politecnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Francesca

Frassoldati (South China University of Technology)

Attending: the editors and the authors

An event promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute at the Embassy of Italy (Beijing), with Politecnico di Torino and Tsinghua University

Book launch of Beijing Danwei. The Industrial Heritage in the Contemporary City. The event is part of the Beijing Design Week.

 
 

Norihiko Dan – Symbiotic Thoughts of Architecture

Exhibition

07/16/2015 – 08/21/2015

Architekturgalerie München, entrance above book shop L. Werner, Türkenstr. 30, 80333 München

Nature is everpresent in Japanese architect Norihiko Dan’s buildings. His architecture never stands alone, for Dan always seeks symbiosis; this appears in his combination of geometric-archetypical with organic forms, in his urban planning projects, which bring submerged historic and cultural identities back to light, as well as in the ecological orientation of his buildings. With dramatic contrasts in architectural language and choice of materials Norihiko Dan insistently calls for a relationship between human beings and their surroundings.
The complex and fascinating work of this architect, who has received many honors in Japan and Taiwan, is presented with this exhibition, as well as with the monograph published by JOVIS to a Western audience for the first time. 

The opening of the exhibition will take place on July, 16 at 7 p.m with 

Nicola Borgmann, Architekturgalerie München

Aaron Betsky, Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture

Gene King, Architekt und Autor, Taipeh

Norihiko Dan, Norihiko Dan and Associates, Tokio

The exhibition “Symbiotic Thoughts of Architecture” presents the complex and fascinating work of the Japanese architect to a Western audience for the first time. 

 
 

Endless House: Intersections of Art and Architecture

Exhibition

06/27/2015 – 03/06/2016

The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY 10091

Endless House considers the single-family home and archetypes of dwelling as a theme for the creative endeavors of architects and artists. Through drawings, photographs, video, installations, and architectural models drawn from MoMA’s collection, the exhibition highlights how artists have used the house as a means to explore universal topics, and how architects have tackled the design of residences to expand their discipline in new ways.

Work by architects and artists spanning more than seven decades are exhibited alongside materials from Kiesler’s Endless House design and images of its presentation in MoMA’s 1960 Visionary Architecture exhibition. Intriguing house designs—ranging from historical projects by Mies van der Rohe, Frank Gehry, Peter Eisenman, and Rem Koolhaas to new acquisitions from Smiljan Radic and Asymptote Architecture—are juxtaposed with visions from artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Bruce Nauman, Mario Merz, Rachel Whiteread, and a new acquisition from Annett Zinsmeister. Together these works demonstrate how the dwelling occupies a central place in a cultural exchange across generations and disciplines.

 

"Endless House" considers the single-family home and archetypes of dwelling as a theme for the creative endeavors of architects and artists. With drawings, photographs, video, installations, and architectural models from MoMA’s collection, among them a new acquisition from Annett Zinsmeister. 

 
 

“In den Himmel bauen”—High-rises for Berlin

Book presentation

06/26/2015, 7:00 pm

Architecture Museum, Technische Universität Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 154, Room A53, 10623 Berlin

In terms of architectural history, the 20th century is focused predominantly on Modernism. Very little interest has been shown in other significant ideas from this period, especially when they remained a hand-drawn utopia. This was also the fate of architect Otto Kohtz (1880—1956), who developed monumental visions for high-rise buildings and urban environments parallel to his day-to-day professional practice throughout his entire life. Kohtz consistently pursued his high-rise fantasies and bequeathed a wealth of drawings, which this publication collects and annotates for the first time. In the context of his realized buildings (UFA Babelsberg, Scherl House Berlin), the book succeeds in providing a new perspective on Otto Kohtz’ urban developmental concepts and architectural intentions, enabling a fresh evaluation of his importance for 20th century architectural history.
 
With short introductions by
Brigitte Jacob

David Pessier

Wolfgang Schäche
and a discussion afterwards.
 
As part of the event ten original drawings of Otto Kohtz will be exhibited at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Book presentation about the German architect Otto Kohtz (1880–1956) and his designs of high-rises for Berlin, in collaboration with the Architectural Museum of the Technische Universität Berlin.

 
 

Auf dem Weg zur Stadt als Campus

Book presentation

06/18/2015, 7:00 pm

CLB Berlin, Collaboratorium at Aufbau Haus, Prinzenstraße 84.2, 10969 Berlin

Stadt als Campus represents active, knowledge-based urban development in everyday life. A nationwide network of city developers and universities, together with municipalities, educational and cultural providers, initiatives, property developers and housing associations, as well as economic stakeholders, show how the city can become a campus. The settings for this are primarily small and medium-sized cities, as well as polycentric regions. Innovative design possibilities, cooperative associations, new business models, reflexive urban communities, and liveable cities are created as part of this process. 

With

the editors Sally Below and Reiner Schmidt

Brigitte Hartwig / VorOrt-Projekt in Dessau

Sven Sappelt / C60/Collaboratorium Bochum

 

Jovis Publishers and Stadt als Campus e.V. will present their book and the network Stadt als Campus. The event is taking place at the Stadt als Campus e.V.'s new office.

 
 
 

Make City

Book presentation / discussion

06/18/2015, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Czech Centre, Wilhelmstraße 44 / entrance Mohrenstraße, 10117 Berlin

The following newly published books will be presented and discussed amongst authors and guests:
 

Aristide Antonas (GR) Archipelago of Protocols (2015, dpr Barcelona Verlag)

Susanne Hoffman (DE) ARCHITECTURE IS PARTICIPATION. Die Baupiloten—Methods and Projects (2014, Jovis Verlag)

Georg-Simmel-Zentrum für Metropolenforschung (DE) Urban Commons: Beyond State and Market (2015, Birkhäuser, Bauwelt Fundamente)

ZUS (NL) City of permanent temporality. The making of Luchtsingel, Schieblock, Test Site Rotterdam (2015, NAi Bookseller)

Andreas Rumpfhuber, Michael Klein (DE) Modelling Vienna, Real Fictions in Social Housing (2014, Turia und Kant)

Moderation: Carson Chan (US)

This event is part of the MAKE CITY festival.

 

A collective presentation of newly published books by JOVIS Publishers, dpr Barcelona, Birkhäuser, NAi, and Turia und Kant. This event is part of the MAKE CITY festival.

 
 

This is modern

Exhibition

06/18/2015 – 07/07/2015

Museum of Architecture, Technical University Berlin, Straße des 17. Juni 152, 10623 Berlin

Deutscher Werkbunds Berlin's exhibition "this is modern" started corresponding to the openening of the "Biennale d'Archittetura 2014" in Venice. 

They're trying to position the contemporary architecture in Germany: 22 renowned architectural offices show their designs for the German exhibition hall on the Biennale areal within the Giardini of Venice. The existing pavilion, built 1909 and reshaped 1938 was claimed to be in ruinous condition and thus building a contemporary national exhibition pavilion for the world audience was of importance again.

Now, before the exhibition is about to be terminated, the Museum of Architecture Berlin presents the results of the exhibition's "survey" for the last time. 

At the exhibitions's opening on June 18, 19:00 Dieter Nägelke and Arno Brandlhuber are going to speak.

The exhibition catalogue iss available in German and English.

 

 

Deutscher Werkbunds Berlin's exhibition "this is modern" started corresponding to the openening of the "Biennale d'Archittetura 2014" in Venice. Now, before the exhibition is about to be terminated, the Museum of Architecture Berlin presents the results of the exhibition's "survey" for the last time. 

 

 
 

Make City Open!

Book presentation and discussion

06/17/2015, 7:00 pm

Bücherbogen , Savignyplatz, Stadtbahnbogen 593–594, 10623 Berlin

Dozens of publications appear every year on contemporary debates within architecture. One of the most current topics is the renaissance of the Urban Commons. Publishing houses Birkhäuser and JOVIS invite MAKE CITY visitors to the Bücherbogen at the Savignyplatz for a presentation of two of their publications: Urban Commons: Moving Beyond State and Market, published in cooperation with Dr. Martin Schwegmann, and Make_Shift City. Renegotiating the Urban Commons, published by Make City director Francesca Ferguson. How does knowledge about Urban Commons connect with the praxis of architecture and urban planning? A podium discussion will address this very question.

This event is part of the MAKE CITY festival.

How are the “Urban Commons” manifested in contemporary architecture? Publishers Birkhäuser and JOVIS will present two of their newly published books: Urban Commons: Moving Beyond State and Market (Dr. Martin Schwegmann, co-editor) and Make_Shift City. Renegotiating the Urban Commons, edited by MAKE CITY director Francesca Ferguson. This event is part of the MAKE CITY festival.

 
 

Partizipation macht Architektur

Colloquium / Book presentation

06/11/2015, 7:30 pm

Moltkestrasse 6a, 26122 Oldenburg

What is the role of participtaion in architecture? Does civic participation make building projects expensive or effective, complicated or sustainable? Does it save time or money? How can needs and wishes of future users turn into realized buildings? Which part does participation play in the professional self-image of the architect?

In our society there is an increasing demand for participation in shaping our built environment. Without civic participation, few major building projects can go ahead. Furthermore, the knowledge of the users with regard to utilization and how spaces are experienced is in fact an important tool for architects during the design process.

Architecture Is Participation presents examples of successful participation, according to a method developed in the practice test, in which the focus is on communication about and by means of atmospheres. Realized Baupiloten projects are supplemented by a wide range of participatory options—presented as practical guidelines that can be used for one’s own individual purposes. Therefore the book invites direct application.

The book presentation will take place in the colloquium of the Institut für partizipatives Gestalten.

What is the role of participtaion in architecture? Does civic participation make building projects expensive or effective, complicated or sustainable? Does it save time or money? How can needs and wishes of future users turn into realized buildings? Which part does participation play in the professional self-image of the architect?