Arch Tracker

Title: International Conference; BioDigital architecture and genetics
Location: ESARQ (UIC), Barcelona
Link out: Click here
Description: In the twenties and thirties of the 20th century, when some architects were disposed systematically to configure modern world, they did it stimulated for a cultural pressure, for a correct adaptation to new times, and fighting for minimum conditions of human existence. On the other hand, today the urgency is bigger. It is about the entire planetary subsistence. The question is not any more a simple caprice, neither an intellectual necessity, neither sensibility for losing less favoured people. Now, the necessity is global, without reservations of classes, races or religions. The whole planet is in front of danger of no-sustainability for all mankind.

By chance, now in this crucial moment, are offered new techniques of an enormous potential: biological techniques and digital techniques. And even fusion of both, in something that can be named biodigital architecture. One that has incorporated the advantages proportioned by the understanding of genetics in both ways, the biological and the digital way, that permit to face with hope some continuity also worthy, but this time a dignity for all The Earth.

Then, as the ones that made efforts to break with the ancient classical tradition to found the new modern tradition, we are in front of the challenge of creating the future tradition of biodigital and genetics. For this is necessary that people work on three key elements: research, teaching and profession. This is exactly what we have been doing in Barcelona from 2000, with the Genetic Architecture Research Group and Ph.D. Programme, with the Biodigital Architecture Master’s Degree and with the Genetic Architectures Office. There we learn & teach, we make research and we design: Knowing that there are sufficient differential parameters to predict a complete age’s change. Today, after the first decade of our new Century, it is time to explain, to check, to discuss, fascinations, inspirations, experiences, that the graduates of these Research Group, Master’s Degree and Architecture Office have done in the developing of this biodigital architecture and genetics, up to now.

Alberto T. Estévez
Conference Chair
Start Date: 2011-05-30
End Date: 2011-06-05

Title: Cognitive Cities Conference
Location: Berlin, Germany
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Description: The Cognitive Cities Conference (#CoCities) aims to bring the vibrant global conversation about the future of cities to Germany. We believe that collaboration and diversity lead to the best results. By inviting bright minds with different perspectives, it is our ambition to enable not only an in-depth exchange about the current state of affairs, but also to foster new projects and contribute to the ongoing global discussion. We see CoCities as a platform for exchange and mutual inspiration. We invite urban planners, designers, technology geeks, environmental experts, public officials, urban gardening enthusiasts and cultural influencers to be part of the conversation. We can only make our cities more livable if we work together to improve them.
Start Date: 2011-02-26
End Date: 2011-02-27

Title: 361 Degree – Design & Informal Cities
Location: Rangsharda, Bandra, Mumbai
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Description: 361 Degree – Design & Informal Cities

The Conference offers dialogue opportunities satisfying the information needs of all segments of the design and construction fraternity from business to academic scopes, from the professional to the enterpreneur. It has completed 3 cycles since its launch in 2005 [More info after the break]

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Project: The Glasshouse
Author: Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
Team: Tim Greer, Trina Day, Regina Meyer, Roger O’Sullivan, Peter Tonkin, Kon Vourtzoumis, Bettina Siegmund, Elizabeth Muir, Paul Rolfe, John Chesterman, Tamara Frangelli, Jennifer Fetner, Alison Osborne, Ben Daly, Kon Vourtzoumis
Location: Port Macquarie, New Wales – Australia
Completed: 2009
Awards: 2010 Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW) Blacket Prize for Regional Architecture. 2010 Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW) Commendation in the Sulman Award for Public Architecture.
Photography: Brett Boardman and Rob Connell

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Title: The UK Architecture Students Self-Actuated Projects Conference
Location: Manchester, UK
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Description: On June 24th the easaUK team, backed by SCHOSA, is hosting conference for UK students of architecture at the Manchester School of Architecture. The conference is a chance to return the energy generated by easa010 returning to the country that not only spawned it, but that also has a great, now lost, tradition of Winter Schools.

The conference, organised and run by the esasa010 team, is intended to spread the experience the team has gained over the last two years around institutions unable to be part of the European event, with the aim of creating a similar IK based event.

Talks will cover the history of Winter School and EASA, team building, fundraising, promotion and the media and legal considerations. All talks will draw directly from the experience the team has gained from working on EASA, running smaller workshops and the easaHQ gallery.

Delegates will have the chance to debate all topics and there is a provision in the timetable dedicated to networking, giving the delegates the opportunity to discuss future conferences and events.
Start Time: 09:30
Date: 2010-06-24
End Time: 18:30

Theme
Three decades of research have established the field of complexity theories of cities as a dominant approach to cities. Now that the field has come of age, it is time to stop for a moment, look back at what has been achieved, with appreciation, but also with sober criticism and then look forward at potentials that have yet to be realized.

As for potentials yet to be realized, this conference will explore the implications of complexity theories of cities to planning and urban design. As examples to what we have in mind consider, firstly, Mike Batty’s (2008) recent observation that “In the past 25 years, our understanding of cities has slowly begun to reflect Jacobs’s message. Cities are no longer regarded as being disordered systems. Beneath the apparent chaos and diversity of physical form, there is strong order …”. Secondly, Portugali’s (2008) criticism that “in their search for statistical data to feed their models practitioners of USM tend to overlook the non-quantifiable urban phenomena” and as a consequence, some of the central questions of 21st Century cities and urbanism”. As for potentials yet to be realized we would like to emphasis in this workshop the implications of CTC to planning and urban design.

 Structure
The conference will be divided into three main parts:

• Complexity Theories of Cities: Achievements, criticism and potentials yet to be realized
• Complexity Theories of Cities: implications to Spatial Planning
• Complexity Theories of Cities: implications to Urban Design.

The conference spreads over 3,5 days, and consists of:

• Presentations by the keynote speakers
• Round table discussions on Dutch topics from practice (Randstad, Almere)
• A poster session for students

 Venue
The conference takes place in the Berlageroom at BK City, the new faculty building of the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture.

More Info:  http://complexitytheoriesofcities.com/