IE School of Architecture & Design Newsletter - May 2021

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time to focus on THE POWER OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS In 1968, the American ecologist Garrett Hardin published his iconic essay ‘Tragedy of the Commons’, a pessimistic parable about human beings’ individualistic use of the Earth’s resources. Over 50 years later, much of mainstream economics is still tied to a notion of Homo economicus - mankind as driven by a rational pursuit of selfish, materialistic needs.  Individuals do often act in ruthless, self-serving manners. And why shouldn’t they, when altruistic, ethical and sustainable behavior is often much more costly? However, it is by standing together as connected, cooperating units that we have managed to overcome the true trials of our evolutionary history.  Culture can be seen as a continuous process of collective adaptation to evolving contextual challenges. As designers and storytellers, we have the power to change our trajectory by thinking in terms of could, would and should, in order to challenge what is.  Humans therefore have access to a cultural inheritance system of countless connections, whose possibilities are as vast as genetic inheritance. The pandemic has posed a threat to this system but it has also been a powerful reminder of the intricate and fragile interconnection between all things on the planet. It is this togetherness on which we shine a light this month. Michael Leube Adjunct Professor at IE School of Architecture and Design and founder of Anthropologylens.com

The return of the Venice Architecture Biennale ‘How Will We Live Together?’ That is the question - one most fitting for our times - posed by the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice, which opens this month (May 22) after its postponement from last year.  IE School of Architecture and Design is proud to be participating in this edition of the Venice Biennale - a landmark in the global architecture calendar that has, for decades, brought together practitioners, professionals, experts and aficionados from around the world to take stock of the current global state of architecture and design. You can find us at the Italian Virtual Pavilion, whose aim is to draw together the world’s leading researchers to share the thinking necessary to reset the future. Here, we present a film - under the theme ‘Understanding the City’ - in which we discuss our transdisciplinary approach to urban studies, in which geography, sociology, ecology, architecture and other disciplines converge, in order to address the constantly evolving complexity of cities. FIND OUT MORE

Joining the prestigious Cumulus community IE School of Architecture and Design has been welcomed into Cumulus, the esteemed global association for the world’s best art and design educational institutions, bringing together around 340 members from 61 different countries.  Our unique, innovative approach to education, which expands traditional boundaries in order to respond to a changing world, makes our school a fitting addition to the Cumulus alliance. This leading membership body reflects our belief in the importance of innovation and excellence in design education and cooperation between design, business and social sciences.  We also believe that diverse, multiple points of view can create greater understanding and knowledge. We therefore look forward to engaging in dialogue and exchange with this distinguished global community, under Cumulus’ prestigious seal of approval. FIND OUT MORE

Design projects to get you thinking This month, our 4th year design undergraduates prepare to make the transition from student to designer, by presenting their final projects - the culmination of a comprehensive and rigorous learning experience here at IE.  This batch of students was the very first cohort of the Bachelor in Design, joining the degree at its inception in 2017. Their final projects provide an opportunity for them to harness everything they have learnt over the past four years and apply their knowledge and interests to the creation of an innovative, real-world design solution.  A stellar line-up of judges will join us to assess the work of these budding designers - among them, trailblazers like Natasha Jen (Partner at Pentagram) and Jonathan Lee (Design Lead at Google). The panel is set to be impressed by the pioneering creations that will be presented, which cover subjects as varied as biotextiles, gaming, disability, empathy, tourism and vegan shoes. FIND OUT MORE

Intertwined Environments, a new podcast series A new podcast series about architecture and design, hosted by the Dean of our school, Martha Thorne, is now available to stream on Spotify. Created in partnership with urbanNext, this podcast - called Intertwined Environments - considers integrated built environments that respond to current and future challenges, exploring factors and forces across the natural, physical and digital realms.  In the latest episode, Chicago-based architect Jeanne Gang talks to IE School of Architecture and Design’s Associate Dean Cristina Mateo about the power of social action in urban and educational environments, how to boost community-building in an increasingly digitised world, and why creating resilient, closely connected communities is essential for cities, businesses and universities to thrive.  LISTEN HERE

How Arata Isozaki dissolved boundaries in Osaka The main exhibition space at the Osaka Expo, a world’s fair held in 1970, has come to be known as an emblematic piece of Japanese metabolist architecture. In a new article, Marcela Aragüez, Associate Director of our architecture undergraduate programme, explores the story behind this structure, known as the Festival Plaza, focusing on the involvement of architect Arata Isozaki.  Published in the latest issue of Roadsides, a peer-reviewed journal examining infrastructure, the essay interprets the Festival Plaza as an archive of urban forms that dissolved boundaries and collapsed traditional functions. It was neither building nor square, says Aragüez, but an infrastructure, embodying the vibrancy of street networks, which the public could occupy through what Isozaki himself described as a spirit of “collective excitement”.  READ HERE

The legendary Richard Rogers May 18, 6.pm (CEST) Bodegas Protos, Peñafiel (Valladolid), and online Event in Spanish At this event hosted by Hay Festival Segovia, designer and professor Edgar González will discuss the legacy of Pritzker-winning architect Richard Rogers with a group of undergraduate students from our Bachelor in Design programme, which González has directed since 2016. Taking place at the facilities of the famed Spanish winery Bodegas Protos, a contemporary architectural masterpiece designed by Rogers himself, the discussion will consider the impact on future-focused urban planning of this pioneering figure, whose other renowned works include Centro Pompidou in Paris, the Lloyd’s building in London and Terminal 4 of Madrid-Barajas airport. REGISTER

NextGen: Connecting People, Buildings and Cities May 19, 6.00 pm (CEST) Online Real estate is a rapidly changing sector that plays a crucial role in shaping the cities of tomorrow.  Our NextGen programme is an international forum for young real estate professionals, promoting debate on key current issues and facilitating connections with others looking to develop adventurous careers in the industry.   This month, as part of the NextGen talks series, we welcome Tom Redmayne, North America Managing Director at Wiredscore, a company using cutting-edge technology to certify the infrastructure and technological capacity of commercial and residential buildings. Redmayne, a qualified chartered surveyor, will discuss his career in real estate so far and share insights for other rising players in the sector. REGISTER

Energy Efficient Buildings for a Sustainable Future: A Transatlantic Exchange May 26, 5.00 pm (CEST) Online Buildings - responsible for around 40% of global energy consumption - are critical for the transition to a lower-carbon future. This high-level event, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, will bring together decision makers and technical experts from across the EU and the US to explore decarbonization and energy efficiency policies that are transforming the ways we build. Manuel Pérez Romero, chair of IE School of Architecture and Design’s Center for Sustainable Cities, is among the eminent panelists, and will present to the forum about how cities can be designed to provide energy and materials for buildings, in order to enhance sustainability and urban regeneration. REGISTER

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