Just architecture?

Just architecture? What is architecture as explorative research process and what alternative modes of competition support this? These questions will be treated at the interdisciplinary architectural research conference to be held in two phases at sic! Raum für Kunst in Lucerne (23rd and 24th August 2012) and at S_AM the Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel (18th to 20th October 2012). The deadline for uploading video-clip-abstracts of maximum 3 minutes on our website www.justarchitecture.ch is June 15th 2012. The conference language is English.

The architectural competition is the predominant instrument for designing our built environment. In many of its actual modes it brings forward solely sales-oriented strategies and aestheticised design products. Our living-environment often does not serve as a space enabling and supporting creativity.

“JUST ARCHITECTURE?” asks what potential competitions have for the emergence of realities enabling creative thought and action, both within the competition and in the actual building. The interrelationship between creative thinking and architecture is being explored through the conference.

The CALL being itself a mode of competition could not but become the object our inquiry. By asking for video-abstracts and making them accessible for anybody at any time on our website, and by realising the conference in two stages enabling some research continuity, this CALL becomes a model for a possible mode of competition enhancing exploration, exchange and open development.