The attribution Built may only be given to a small percentage of designs that were actually constructed, whereas most of the designs have remained in paper for many reasons. An Unbuilt project may be supported by heterogeneous, laborious, even innovative design methods. The workshop focuses on such attempts, also with the aid of analogue and digital tools and techniques for the inquiry of original architectural languages. Experiments may be grouped in various categories, such as: structural unit/system, fluidity, circulation, folding, cladding, surface, limit, continuity.
The above categories are related to similar experiments of the architectural avant-garde of the later period: Daniel Libeskind, Peter Eisenman, Zaha Hadid, Coop Himmelblau, Lebbeus Woods, Bernard Tschumi, Morphosis and ΟΜΑ. Much before developing an architectural project, these architects had explored their ideas by gradually advancing their individual research methods of design, a process that eventually led in defining their architectural character. Being part of a broader avant-garde in philosophy, linguistics, social studies and art, these architects surpassed the recent Modern tradition. In fact, their work may be related to similar attempts of the early 20th century, which would flourish only when it became socially and technically compatible. The results may be viewed as successful, or controversial; either way, as design research they have been very influential to the architecture of today.
Workshop duration: 6-15 July 2008.
Organizer: Yannis Zavoleas.
Location: National Technical University of Athens, Department of Architecture.
Presentation: July 16, 2008, 18.00 – 21.00, Athens Byzantine & Christian Museum.
Exhibition: 15 July – 3 September 2008.
YANNIS ZAVOLEAS 