Duration
64h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in architecture (120 ECTS) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Like restoration, as defined by Cesare Brandi and Paul Philippot in the 1960s, adaptive reuse is a critical act before being a technical one. However, the architect's intervention in an existing building differs from critical reflection in that it is translated into action in the material of the object, materially inscribed in its history. The scope of the choices made means that the historical, contextual and technical data on which the critical judgement is based must be gathered in advance of and in parallel with the project, and this in turn informs the design process. This exploratory workshop is based on the principle that, in addition to this data, conceptual reflection is likely to enrich the design process, and to anchor and support the critical attitude towards existing heritage in the broadest sense.
Each year, the workshop takes as its subject a building with a heritage character (in the broadest sense and from all periods, including the most recent), depending on opportunities and current events. The students are asked to develop their project (which may concern only a fragment of the building in question) on the basis of a conceptual reflection. This is fed by a portfolio of readings and the possible updating of concepts used in the design of the initial building or one of its strata. As well as producing graphic documents, the students explain their conceptual path in the form of a text.
One of the weeks of the workshop is organised in collaboration with the Universiteit Hasselt and the Bergische Universität Wuppertal (in 2023, from 25 to 29 September).
In September-October 2023, the site to be studied will be in Liège: the former Chiroux library, part of the vast Kennedy complex (arch. J. Poskin and H. Bonhomme, 1967-70). This example raises the question of the future of large modernist complexes that combine several functions. How can a targeted intervention contribute to revitalising the complex and its immediate surroundings?
The choice of site was based on current events, with the library having recently moved to B3 in Outremeuse (Bavière site).
The course will focus on the following cross-disciplinary, current issues that are essential to the training of future architects:
?sustainability: sustainable development, sustainable city, territory, global warming, environmental footprint, etc.
?society: population, standard of living, housing, social divide,...
?Art: creative dimension, valuing art, aesthetic dimension, artistic knowledge and culture, etc.
?digital technology: new technologies, computer-aided design, data management, artificial intelligence, etc.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To investigate, within a short time, a specific question relating to intervention on an existing building, by combining research and field studies.
Learn to collaborate towards a common goal, working as a team.
Produce synthetic documents presenting scenarios.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The courses of architectural history and intervention on existing buildings in the bachelor cycle.
As the language of the intensive week is English, students are expected to be able to interact with their peers and teachers in English.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The workshop is organised into four phases:
- thematic preparatory studies (on site, in archives, in libraries) during the first two weeks (from 14 to 22/9);
- an intensive week (from 25/9 to 29/9) during which students and lecturers from the universities of Liège, Hasselt and Wuppertal work in inter-institutional groups on scenarios for adapting the site, at all scales (from detail to urban context). The days are organised into periods of independent work, interaction with teachers, presentations and lectures. Please note that 27 September, which is a public holiday, is included in this week as a day of classes (made up by a day off on 2 October);
- time to finalise presentation documents and texts, from 3 to 5/10;
- a day of visits to Antwerp to round off the workshop on 6/2 (As Found exhibition and visits to buildings).
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
Face-to-face as far as sanitary conditions allow.
Recommended or required readings
A portfolio of readings is provided at the beginning of the intensive week.
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
Written work / report
Additional explanations:
A presentation of the joint projects will take place at the end of the intensive week, on 25 September. This presentation is not graded.
The report prepared by the students during the last week of the workshop includes the preparatory research and the results of the intensive week. This report is the basis for the evaluation.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The workshop starts on September 14th.
Tuesday 27 September is included in the programme and recuperated on October 2nd.
Contacts
c.houbart@uliege.be
maxime.coq@uliege.be