LFU:online

The objective of this course is to explore utopian ideas, departing from historical and fictional examples, in order to pose questions about the role architecture might play in structuring everyday life in the present or in possible alternative futures.

We will debate on utopian architectural proposals for egalitarian social relations; specifically, on their critique regarding the way that gender and class relations are materialised in the living environment. Departing from historical case studies that proposed the architecture for alternative social structures, we will consider its role as an active agent of change rather than a reflection of existing conditions. The question is: which scenarios of the everyday do we want to build in our built environment and what kind of architecture would facilitate them?

The seminar will give emphasis on debate and discussion, both around reading materials and on workshops that will allow to take the investigations further into specific enquiries. All the texts will be provided in English. Furthermore, it is required from students to deliver presentations of their assigned reading material and the development of their project, as well as being able to join the collective debate on a weekly basis. Enrolled students are encouraged to work in teams. Each team will develop their own research-based project and present the final outcome at the end of the seminar. The lecturers and students will debate, conceptualise and realise a final presentation in the framework of a Büchsenhausen Fellowship-Program exhibition at the Kunstpavillion which will open on the 16th of June. The realisation of the final presentation is an integral part of the seminar.

The regular attendance is strictly required, as well as the participation to the collective discussions. The prospective students are supposed to speak and write in English fluently, for all seminar activities and study materials will be in English. Please note that this is a provisional description that could be adjusted after discussion with the enrolled students in the seminar.