The future of the profession of architecture

One of the most intriguing things about architecture as a profession is that architects hardly ever agree on what it is, architecture, where it came from and which of its parameters will matter in the future. The approaches, ambitions and aims within each generation differ to such an extent that they can be called contrary. Each new generation of architects tries to reinvent it, extend its boundaries, resettle it in the context and on the ashes of the past. This yields a rich and stimulating discussion about architecture. This likewise displays the boundaries and infinite potential within the profession and this is probably the main driving force for the enthusiasm that we all share.

Some call the epoch we live in a era of ‚globalisation‘, some call it the ‚age of information‘, some call it a time of ‚crisis‘. Either way its potential - both negative and positive - is game-changing. We are confronted with conditions that did not exist a decade ago. In our schools, often enough we are trained for conditions of the last millenium. We are learning within structures of previous generations that have not had to address the massive changes we are faced with now. We are at the point of re-evaluating what we have learned in the face of what we see - beyond the faculty building.
On the other hand, architecture still revolves around the dimensions and behavioral patterns of the human body, which have not changed significantly since the first human dwelling. Our eyes and ears are still capable of percieving the same wavelength of light and sound. For many people (e.g. Koolhaas) the Parthenon in Athens is still the ‚best‘ building on earth and the production of brilliant architecture does not seem to match the speedy progression of technology or the development of ‚civilisation‘. What are the defining parameters of ‚good‘ architecture and how much does it depend on a cultural or historic context?

Terms like ‚architect of 9/11‘, ‚chip architecture‘, the ‚architect of the presidential campaign‘ are in daily use. In the naming of the organisation of complex events or constructs, nothing seems to fit better than architecture‘. Are all these people architects or is architecture on the contrary rather a abstract notion of building, creation and organisation, and just in certain cases about building ‚buildings‘? Are architects able to do more than houses? What are their actual core abilities? discovering problems and potentials? Reinterprete, create and propose what has not been before? What then becomes the realm of the architect?

We come from all over europe, we do not share a common history but we do share a notion of 'architecture' and its future. This variety of backgrounds will serve as fuel for the discussions, which will result in proactive manifestos during the workshop which will be held at the university of Liechtenstein.

Date: 22OCT09
Start: 930
All students of easa and all students of the Hochschule were invited to the workshop.


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