Simple Systems - Complex Capacities

“Simple Systems - Complex Capacities” is not an architectural competition in a conventional sense. The purpose is not to come up with a solution for a defined brief for a specific location, whether as an idea or as a proposal for realisation. “Simple Systems – Complex Capacities” is in some sense an idea competition concerning the systematic formulation of ideas regarding materialisation processes of architectures while, on the other hand, the ostensible division of idea and realisation is diminished. The concern that underlies this competition is diametrically opposed to this division. The notion of ‘concept-competition’ may describe this concern perhaps the best. This does not preclude, however, that competition entries are developed on the basis of a concrete case and for a specific location. The notion of the interaction between material system and environment that underlies the required design process even requires context-specificity.

The online colloquium provides for the possibility to ask questions about the competition, its theme, the specific task and deliveries. Questions can be posted in the period from 1st September to 15th November. The blog will remain available on the ARCH+ homepage until the completion of the competition.

188 ARCH+ “Form Follows Performance - Zur Wechselwirkung von Material, Struktur, Umwelt” delivers a first inroad to the theme of the competition. English speaking participants may refer to Michael Hensel’s and Achim Menges book Morpho-Ecologies (AA Publications, London, 2006, ISBN: 1 902902 53-X). This does not imply that competition entries have to exactly conform to the work shown in the publications. On the contrary we are looking forward to receive alternative approaches and further developments of the presented concepts.

http://www.archplus.net/plus/