German Exhibition
1. Nov — 4. Dez 2011
1. Nov — 4. Dez 2011
IX. Internationale São Paulo Architecture Biennal
Centro Cultural São Paulo
Centro Cultural São Paulo
"Baukultur Made in Germany" – the motto, the Federal Chamber of German Architects (BAK - Bundesarchitektenkammer) presents the German contribution to the 9th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial.‘Baukultur’ is translated as ‘building culture’. Meanwhile in many countries the German word ‘Baukultur’ is used. On the one hand, high tribute is paid to the outstanding quality of architecture. On the other hand, ‘Baukultur’ does not only stand for a building but also for the planning process itself.
In Germany this process is based on a broad participation – especially true for public buildings – where all participants arepart of it at a very early stage. Thus, planning stands for thinking in advance – in public discussion. German architects feel themselves not only as trustee of their clients but also feel obliged to ‘Baukultur’ as a whole.
Nowadays, the question of quality of German ‘Baukultur’ created by architects and engineers is closely connected with ‘sustainable construction’. Sustainability includes economically efficient, environmentally friendly and recourse saving planning and building in accordance with the social-cultural milieu.
In Germany this process is based on a broad participation – especially true for public buildings – where all participants arepart of it at a very early stage. Thus, planning stands for thinking in advance – in public discussion. German architects feel themselves not only as trustee of their clients but also feel obliged to ‘Baukultur’ as a whole.
Nowadays, the question of quality of German ‘Baukultur’ created by architects and engineers is closely connected with ‘sustainable construction’. Sustainability includes economically efficient, environmentally friendly and recourse saving planning and building in accordance with the social-cultural milieu.
Debate on ‘Baukultur’ in Germany
Current debates on ‘Baukultur’ among German architects demonstrate the importance of the subject*:For Prof. Marg, architect, gmp Hamburg, ‘Baukultur’ in a democracy is a laborious system of participation. "This provides an indispensable opportunity for societal self-correction. ‘Baukultur’ is like all cultural acts comprehensive and complex. The cultivation of methods, landscape design, urban landscapes, urban development , engineering and architecture works are intensively affecting culture… Our aesthetics … is first of all based on the social quality of the built environment.”
Professor Harald Bodenschatz, urban planner and architectural sociologist at the Technical University of Berlin, understands ‘Baukultur’ not only as a strive for "good architecture and good urban design, but also as restoration of the social essentials to facilitate good architecture and good urban planning for everyone, not only for a privileged few". He calls "visions of how our traditional cities, evidence of a high culture, can be in the future - respecting the existent, with the aim to improve this valuable goods and not be replaced or even eradicated." He emphasises "more civil society is very good, but not instead of public engagement but as a stimulus and a monitoring public body for the policy makers." The quality issue is for the philosopher Prof. Christian Illies, University of Bamberg the main topic: "Precisely because ‘Baukultur’ is an expression of time, of people and their ideas, we would have gained much for the achievement of a higher architectural culture, if we would ask ourselves seriously what it means to build real quality. This is not self-evident since it still dominates the opinion that all standards are ultimately subjective valuable … So let us look for general standards of real quality construction - not least because serious efforts will increase the cultural sensitivity for quality!"
* The quotes are taken from the website of Bundesstiftung Baukultur (Federal Foundation for Building Culture).
The selected projects for the German contribution
The Federal Chamber of German Architects has invited together with the Federal Chamber of Engineers all German architects and engineers to submit their projects for presentation in São Paulo. Taking in consideration aspects of modern architecture and sustainable building, a prominent jury has selected 20 projects as the contribution to the international architectural discourse on the 9th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial.In addition to the international relevance the jury asked especially for good examples of sustainable construction as well as country-specific and climate-specific solutions. In a dynamically changing world it is about finding solutions that make our cities and landscapes worth living.Jury
- Sigurd Trommer, President of the German
Federal Chamber of Architects
- Dr. Ulrich Hatzfeld, BMVBS, Berlin
- Dr. Jens Karstedt, President of the German
Federal Chamber of Engineers
- Dr.-Ing. Annette Bögle, TU Berlin
- Nina Nedelykov, Nedelykov Moreira
Architekten, Berlin/São Paulo
At the Highest Technical Level, Ambitious Design
Buildings characterise our cities and landscapes. They are an essential part of our everyday environment. Therefore, their design and planning ought to take into consideration the realities of human life, convey a sense of home and satisfy high and even the highest demands as regards quality. The demands in a dynamically changing world present architecture and planning with additional challenges. We only need to think about the responsible use of non-renewable raw materials and issues of energy efficiency. Or let us think about the global demographic change, characterised by shrinkage in some regions of the world, by dynamic growth in others. Ultimately, the increase in mobility demands for more and more transport infrastructure. The central question, both here and with regard to building in general, is, how can the related activities be planned and implemented in a manner protecting our resources and our environment to the highest extent possible. The close cooperation between architects and engineers is a specifically German feature. German building planning enjoys a good reputation throughout the world. Technically at the highest level, ambitious as regards design and incorporating the respective environment when planning the individual building, this attitude towards building culture leads to outstanding results. Our contribution to the São Paulo International Architecture Biennialdemonstrates an exemplary crosssection of prominent building structures by German architects and engineers both in Germany and abroad. I cordially thank the German Federal Chamber of Architects - Bundesarchitektenkammer for their selection, by which we present solutions to all those challenges building faces these days, not only in our country, but around the world. Welcome to the São Paulo International Architecture Biennial!Dr. Peter Ramsauer MdB
German Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs
Architecture Fit for the Future through Holistic Planning Process
"Baukultur Made in Germany" – this is the motto under which the German Federal Chamber of Architects presents the German contribution to the 9th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial. We have chosen "Baukultur" as our central topic, because in Germany this includes many aspects that are being discussed in the context of this year's biennial. "Baukultur" literally translates into Culture of Building. On the one hand, this exPresss the high demand on architecture as regards quality. At the same time, the concept of "Baukultur" in Germany is not limited to a finished building but always includes also the entire planning process. In Germany, this planning process is characterised by a high degree of comprehensive participation and – in particular in the case of public buildings – an early inclusion of all stakeholders. Planning therefore also means thinking in advance – in a constant dialogue with society. German architects see themselves not merely as the custodian of their respective building owners, but always feel their obligation to "Baukultur" as a whole. Today, the question about the quality of German architecture and engineering in building is inseparable from the issue of "Sustainable Building". Sustainability or being fit for the future means to plan and build with economic efficiency, in an environmentally friendly way, saving on resources and maintaining the harmony with the socio-cultural environment.Together with the German Federal Chamber of Engineers, we had invited all German architects and construction engineers to submit their projects for presentation in São Paulo. From these submissions, a blue ribbon jury selected 20 projects on the basis of aspects of modern building culture and sustainable building. These projects shall form the foundation for our international discourse on architecture during the biennial.Sigurd Trommer
President of the German Federal Chamber of
Architects
The exhibition architecture designed by J. MAYER H. explores the subject of presenting architecture in a novel manner. The mobile and changeable exhibition sculptures engage with each other in a fascinating dialogue. At the same time, the sculptures integrate presentations of various works by select architects and engineers. Since the order in which the sculptures are set up within the exhibition area available is deliberately left open, the exhibitors are given a "space for opportunity" allowing for flexible adaptation to unforeseen demands on utilisation or changing locations. The exhibition's changeability opens up intriguing constellations. It invites the visitor to think over the conventions of customary presentation of architecture in a static context and to explore new ways of presenting an exhibition.
