The Efficacy of Architecture

Kaminer, Tahl

doi:10.4324/9781315693750

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Since the financial crisis of 2007 to 2008, a growing rhizome of socially and politically engaged spatial practices has generated a considerable research interest (Anderson, 2014; Awan et al, 2011; Bell & Wakeford, 2008; Brenner et al, 2009; Dodd, 2019b; Kaminer, 2017; Karim, 2018; Lorne, 2017). The effects of the crisis included the collapse of housing markets, a decline in construction production, and the rise of unemployment, particularly in the construction industry (European Central Bank, 2009; International Labor Office, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While many studies have addressed and celebrated the importance of the social and political engagement of these projects (Anderson, 2014; Awan et al, 2011; Fisher, 2008) and some have discussed the efficacy of these spatial practices’ political engagement (Dodd, 2019a; Kaminer, 2017), few studies have examined the spatiality of the projects and investigates how they approach space or how they operate spatially. This paper addresses that particular aspect of the topic by identifying minor spatial tactics through ethnographic research on two empirical cases: the Floating Berlin (FUB) and Agrocité Paris.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Minor Spatial Tactics from the Floating University Berlin and Agrocité Paris

Elarji

2022

SAGE Open

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Emboldened by the economic crisis of 2007 to 2008, a growing rhizome of socially and politically engaged spatial practices have resorted to alternative modes of producing architecture that focus more on its societal aspirations. Aiming to uncover some of the potentialities of the projects that emerged from this growing rhizome to introduce other modes of making architecture while resisting dominant ones, this paper considers the Deleuzian-Guattarian concept of the “minor” to propose an alternative reading of such projects as “minor architectures,” that is, critical practices that resist the canon and act in the crevices of the mainstream. Using ethnographic research methods on two empirical cases, namely the Floating Berlin designed by Raumlabor and Agrocité Paris designed by Atelier d’Architecture Autogérée, the paper identifies “minor” spatial tactics of making architecture that go beyond the limit(ation)s of the practice: (1) resisting the architectural object as a static entity, (2) fostering collective expression, (3) exploring potentialities by reterritorializing interstitial spaces, and (4) creating haptic and affective experiences. The paper reflects on the concept of the minor as an operational tool that could help break away from dominant systems of architectural production.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minor Spatial Tactics from the Floating University Berlin and Agrocité Paris

Elarji

2022

SAGE Open

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“…15 This 1968 critique of the Bauhaus was compatible with critiques of Modernism in emerging architectural movements of the time, including those of Archigram, Superstudio, Ant Farm, Utopie, Constant Nieuwenhuys and the Situationist International. 16 If the Bauhaus was linked to democratic nation building, these movements that elaborated themes such as 'anti-statism, citizen participation, everyday life, temporality and ephemerality' 17 were in stark contrast with it and the social mission of Modernism. 18 From this vantage, the alleged 'utopianism' of Modern architecture appeared not as the radical rethinking of a new society, but more properly as 'pastoral modernism' that 'aimed at smoothing out differences and conflicts', as argued by Hilde Heynen.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concept of reformism has its own long history of theoretical debates within the Marxist tradition, where it is especially associated with Eduard Bernstein's theory of the evolutionary path to socialism. 25 Contrary to a more profound revolution, reformism is a political strategy that aims to trigger social and political change through existing institutions by means of progressive adjustments accumulating in the long term.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…26 These were architectural movements that 'foregrounded the social responsibilities of design, and produced primarily mass social housing and planned cities', in Tahl Kaminer's words. 27 For Lefebvre, architectural reformism presents no real alternative to capitalist development; on the contrary, it veils it. To cite just one example, the celebration of housing reform in the name of Modernism fails to grasp the integral transition of capitalism towards a new form of 'organised capitalism', what Lefebvre calls 'neocapitalism'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Henri Lefebvre’s lessons from the Bauhaus

Lohtaja¹

2021

The Journal of Architecture

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Throughout his writings, Henri Lefebvre made sporadic observations on the German art, design, and architecture school Bauhaus. His commentary on the Bauhaus can be read in light of his wider criticism of Modernist architecture and its political project. Despite its revolutionary aspirations, the Bauhaus provided 'the architectural requirements of state capitalism'. This article argues that looking at Lefebvre's ambiguous reading of the Bauhaus unveils the more complex trajectory of his thinking on Modernist utopian impulses to change society through design. Alongside his criticism of the Bauhaus as tailor made for what Lefebvre calls the neocapitalist state, his work also includes more positive comments on the school. While Lefebvre rejects the reformist tendencies of the Bauhaus, he acknowledges that the school plays an important, historic role for advancing political change through architecture. As such, Lefebvre's criticism of the Bauhaus should be reconsidered in terms of offering a lesson in Modernism. Its attempt to create a new space to configure new social relations becomes an unfinished project; it is precisely the failure of Modernism to push this project beyond conformist and reformist agendas that needs to be considered. In conclusion, Lefebvre reads the utopian aspirations of the Bauhaus within and against their actual historical outcome.

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Make yourself at home : a critical retracing of the legacy of the housing utopias built in the Nordic countries in the seventies = Siéntete como en casa : una revisión crítica del legado de los utopías de vivienda construidas en los países nórdicos de los años setenta

Díaz¹

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Writing is always a collective task and anyone is a multitude. Every thing exposed here was made sense together with relatives, friends, acquittances and perfect strangers. Thanks for being there. I simply cannot recall all of you, but I will mention some:Thanks to the co-directors Kim and Nico for your insights, guidance and care. Your help was worth more. Also thanks to Atxu and Sálvora from the DOCA doctoral program for your constant support, and to all the members of the pre-defense assessment committee for the suggestions and the critique.Thanks to the residents of Stacken, Tinggården and Autogena for the hospitality and the example. Special thanks to Målin,

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The Efficacy of Architecture

Cited by 3 publications

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Minor Spatial Tactics from the Floating University Berlin and Agrocité Paris

Minor Spatial Tactics from the Floating University Berlin and Agrocité Paris

Henri Lefebvre’s lessons from the Bauhaus

Make yourself at home : a critical retracing of the legacy of the housing utopias built in the Nordic countries in the seventies = Siéntete como en casa : una revisión crítica del legado de los utopías de vivienda construidas en los países nórdicos de los años setenta

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