ON WATER AND DESIGN

Round Table with Chiara Cavalieri, Taneha K. Bacchin, Kelly Shannon and Paola Viganò
Moderated by Tommaso Pietropolli

Facing the (re)emergence of water-related questions in both the disciplinary debate and the broader social discourse, the roundtable aims to bridge theoretical and practical perspectives on water in urban and territorial design; it will focus on its potential to become a territorial agent of transformation of design practices to drive equitable urban development in the time of socio-ecological Transition. Ranging from the political, environmental, cultural, and technical implications of the paradigm shift regarding water, the roundtable will questions themes such as water urbanism, sponge cities, and water-sensitive design. The roundtable, in which the public is invited to participate, will bring forth new interpretations, new research questions, and potential collaborations, stimulating a “new climate” of discussion to emerge between the sciences, academia, and society.

The architecture of water is of crucial importance at present. The risks associated with water and climate change are a concern for the entire planet; the number of projects addressing water-related issues seems limitless. The project of water is one that shapes our territories and living spaces over time. Water is one of the many vulnerable subjects of modernity. Violated, attacked, altered, concealed, water is a ‘weak structure’ in the sense that it has the capacity to shape contemporary cities and territories, despite its heterogeneity, fragmentation, and the separation between spaces and functions.

Water is both the object and the subject that we merely reveal, rediscover, support, and follow through projects that listen to its voice and intentions. Cities and territories are the ‘laboratory of water,’ where the socio-ecological transition is being shaped. To think about water is to think about life, space, and power relations.

Opening! Introduction by Marco Bakker & Manuel Montenegro,
Short addresses On Beginnings by
Sophie Delhay, Pier Vittorio Aureli, Jo Taillieu, Catherine Gay, Nicola Braghieri, Charlotte Truwant

PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS IN ARCHITECTURE

Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter.
Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
(Samuel Beckett)

Hand-drawing still occupies a central place in architecture. Taking its title from a famous quote by Samuel Beckett, the exhibition shows drawing as part of the design process: architects try, fail, try again, fail again, until they begin to move in the direction that will eventually become a building — or not.

“Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter.
Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Samuel Beckett

Exhibition from 5 November to 2 December 2024
Opening! Monday 4 November 6 p.m.
Archizoom, Bâtiment SG, EPFL

Hand-drawing still occupies a central place in architecture. It acts as a reservoir of ideas, a source of inspiration or a playful way to discover images, acting as a distiller of thoughts, and opening the path to self-exploration.

This exhibition highlights the early drawings and sketches that give birth to an idea, whether they relate to a real project or are simply free exploration, aesthetic study, or utopian dream.

Taking its title from a famous quote by Samuel Beckett, the exhibition shows drawing as part of the design process: architects try, fail, try again, fail again, until they begin to move in the direction that will eventually become a building. — or not.

“Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter.
Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Samuel Beckett

Exhibition from 5 November to 2 December 2024
Opening! Monday 4 November 6 p.m.
Archizoom, Bâtiment SG, EPFL

Hand-drawing still occupies a central place in architecture. It acts as a reservoir of ideas, a source of inspiration or a playful way to discover images, acting as a distiller of thoughts, and opening the path to self-exploration.

This exhibition highlights the early drawings and sketches that give birth to an idea, whether they relate to a real project or are simply free exploration, aesthetic study, or utopian dream.

Taking its title from a famous quote by Samuel Beckett, the exhibition shows drawing as part of the design process: architects try, fail, try again, fail again, until they begin to move in the direction that will eventually become a building. — or not.