Non-Professional Practice

The course aims to study unconventional modes of architectural practice and their underlying implications. It is based on a workshop format, centered on research, analysis, guest lecturers and open dialogue and it is subdivided into three chapters – professional practice, alternative practice and visual communication.

 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

“Every How is carried by a What” Mies van der Rohe

Chapter one evolves around the historical evolution of the architectural practice, its current state and potential directions for the future. The goal is to challenge the notion of “professional” in an attempt to understand how established architecture offices started off, matured and adapted to fit the current times. The focus will be largely on the practices’ client models on the one hand and socio-economical aspects on the other one.

 

ALTERNATIVE PRACTICE

“I’ve never worked for a living. I consider working for a living slightly imbecilic from an economic point of view. I hope some day we’ll be able to live without being obliged to work.”

Marcel Duchamp

The second chapter is centered on alternative modes of architectural practice such as the architect as his own client, the client-less architect and the architect without architecture. Simultaneously the aim is to learn from other industries – film, fashions, arts, IT, advertising etc – and understand the challenges and opportunities of today.

 

VISUAL COMMUNICATION

“Harry Wolf, an associate of (Richard) Meier’s, now rose and laid out an elegant, thoughtfully reasoned restatement of Meier’s argument, systematically eviscerating (Robert) Irwin’s core positions. Irwin smiled beatifically the entire time, waiting for Wolf to finish. Eventually, still smiling, he asked, ”Do you want a response?“ Wolf said yes, he did. Smiling, he asked, ”Are you finished now?“ Wolf said yes, he was. Still smiling, Irwin pronounced, ” BULL…SHIT." Over Thirty Years of Conversations with Robert Irwin, Lawrence Weschler

Lastly, chapter three is studying the crucial role of architectural dialogue with varying audiences and its intrinsic tie to the nature of any practice. The class will be analyzing graphic communication in various mediums, from lectures and competitions to client or public project pitches.