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Inventioneering Architecture

By Hong Guan on December 14, 2007

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(some projects on display)

For a few weeks, a sizable portion of the Swiss Alps landed in Singapore. Nope it’s not the latest artificial ski attraction, but a travelling exhibition featuring architectural works from 3 Swiss schools - the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH), the Academy of Architecture at the University della Svizzera Italiana, Mendrisio (USI), and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). Many Swiss architects have been at the forefront of the architectural scene, like Le Corbusier, Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Mueron, and Peter Zumthor amongst others, and here we are offered a glimpse into the learning climate which produced such stellar talents.

This entire exhibition sat on a 40-metre long platform made up of individual pieces of wood, sliced in layers and assembled laterally to form a sinuous greenscape. Derived from a cross-section of the Swiss Alps, this feature could be seen as a metaphor of the Swiss educational landscape. Flatter parts became a path flowing through the “hilly” areas where projects by professors and students perched precariously on thin columns. These projects showcase the diverse modes of inquiry, and the multidisciplinary nature of architecture. Seen in its entirety, the models with their intricate openings, superb workmanship and multifarious designs are an impressive sight.

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(the cross-section)

The amount of effort put into detailing is evident in the models. In one work, I saw intricate foldings of paper to create undulating forms which translated into a large-scale wooden model. In another model the student used concrete to create the massing of an entire town, bold and stark in its representation. Viewing one project to another, I could not help but notice the clarity of the singular design idea, whether it is about a new mode of circulation, the building skin or geometrical strategies. Every edge, corner and detail seems to have its position defined by design, driven by the concept. I guess this is what gives Swiss architecture its “cleanness” and seductive appeal.

So what struck me as a little odd was that the exhibition area was cordoned off despite being centrally placed in the largest mall in Singapore. While presumably to keep the models from being destroyed by pesky hands of the curious public, it was to me disappointing as not many could interact with the exhibition which was its original intent. Only during one of the guided tours did I get the opportunity to meander through the models. Moreover, these models were also unfortunately left in a very dusty state. I got to realise that initially the models were not made for travelling, and in the course of moving from city to city, certain parts deterioriated and got damaged.

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(concrete site model)

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(exhibition in VivoCity)

Nonetheless, this was an exhibition worth visiting. For architecture lovers, students and even practitioners, it was worthwhile to note a universal, yet uniquely Swiss approach to architecture. I am definitely inspired by the neat encapsulation of ideas in each project, a strategy that can prove to be accessible and timeless. Singapore architecture education could take a cue from the Swiss and move away from that overemphasis in tropical/sustainable architecture. Hopefully then soon enough we will bring a slice of Bukit Timah hill into Switzerland.

Links:
Inventioneering Architecture Website
ETH Zurich Faculty of Architecture Website
EPF Lausanne School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering Website
USI Mendrisio Academy of Architecture Website
More photos in my Flickr Set



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Discussion

3 comments for “Inventioneering Architecture”

  1. One of the guides told me an interesting story: that one of the three schools closed down as the exhibition was touring the US/UAE. I tried to verify it by checking if works from all three schools were exhibited. Indeed, only ETH and USI models were there, and EPFL was missing. However, back home I couldn’t find any evidence that EPFL was closed. As you said, the traveling has probably damaged some models. Perhaps EPFL models were most fragile. Still, it is puzzling why the guide told me EPFL closed down - he was an official guide at this exhibition.

    Posted by Fabian Lua | December 20, 2007, 10:45 am

  2. I was similarly disappointed that the exhibition was cordoned off. It also disappoints me that for someone who supports interactivity between architecture and people, your photographs have only building models, but not any people! What would have been more illustrative are pictures of the people straining to see the models from outside the cordon. Most of this curious public spent a lot of time looking while being cordoned off. Meanwhile, the security guard was rather strict in keeping people out. The good that was done was putting this exhibition in a mall where people from all backgrounds would stumble upon it, the bad was that it did not have faith in people (thereby needing the cordon). I wonder if it was cordoned off in other locations where it was exhibited (like Boston/Berlin).

    Posted by Fabian Lua | December 20, 2007, 10:55 am

  3. Hello. Thanks for your comments. I guess what’s most important is that the exhibition is accessible to everybody. Perhaps more could be done to promote the exhibition to members of the public, and more precise information be given about the guided tours so that people do not make wasted trips. Still, overall it’s great that they staged an exhibition in SG.

    Posted by Hong Guan | December 24, 2007, 8:39 pm

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