Output details

'Translations', International Exhibition - The use of reference as a design tool.

ARU was invited by the Swiss Architecture Museum to make the first of a series of six 'solo' exhibitions in 2013 titled: ‘Spatial Positions’. The series aims to further the debate on the extended definition of architecture.

Philip Christou was responsible for selection of material, correspondence with the museum, and exhibition research and design in collaboration with ARU. He gave a public lecture at the exhibition opening, reading selected texts that he and Florian Beigel have written on the constructive use of references for architects.

'Translations' presents a particular architectural design methodology that transforms and translates understandings of existing artefacts into contemporary architecture without direct imitation. Three urban and three building design research projects by the Architecture Research Unit were presented with original design drawings, sketches, selected models and photographs – design as research. Each project is accompanied by a design reference such as a painting, a photograph or a sculpture that has influenced the thinking and development of architectural concepts in the project. To a certain extent, these design references have been translated into the design proposals.

Building on many years of experience, ARU is interested in finding rigorous, rich and understandable ways of bringing a continuity of cultural knowledge and experience to architecture. Principal spatial and tectonic relationships of cultural references are used during the design process as an inspiration, not as an image or a style.

The manner of dissemination is in itself true to the discipline of architecture, and accessible to the public.

Reviews: Architectural Review, by Niall Hobhouse, July 2013.