materico architecture matters

In this second season of materico we will talk about the landmark and public spaces by interviewing the jurors of the international architecture competition "Reuse the Tower" by Reuseitaly.
We are very happy to help spread the word about the ReuseItaly initiatives, open your eyes to the fascinating ruins scattered around Italy, and inspire you, participants and non, with the words and vision of the architects involved.

In the following episodes, together we delve into the theme of heritage, the approach to reuse, and the possible new life and function of ruins, particularly that of the Rinalda Tower in Puglia.

To know more about the competition visit www.reuseitaly.com

and listen to the words of the jury members!

Stefan is a Dutch architect, urban designer, educator, and TED Resident, based in New York City. With more than fifteen years of experience on high-profile projects, his portfolio spans from architecture and interiors to large-scale urban design.
In the episode of Materico Architecture Podcast with Stefan Al we delve into the topic of the future of our cities while also referring to his latest book Supertall: How the World’s Tallest Buildings Are Reshaping Our Cities and Our Lives. In this regard, we will mention one of his most famous projects, namely the Canton Tower, at the time of its completion the tallest TV tower in the world.
As an architect, researcher, urban planner, author, and trainer, he explains how to combine all aspects of a professional career to achieve the most effective results.
You can discover more about him at stefanal.com
The episode will later share a vision of the future of architectural practice and how an architect can positively impact tomorrow's challenges.

Ludovica and Leonardo take some time with the listeners to share three reading suggestions that are worthwhile to focus on the meaning of a landmark and how to develop a public space that is capable of influencing community habits and enhancing the identity of a human environment.

1. The image of the city, by Kevin Lynch (1960)

The first book is The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch (link to google books), a book that explores how people perceive and navigate through urban environments. The book argues that people experience a city not only according to its physical features but also by their mental maps or "images" of the city. By understanding how people perceive an environment, the architect can create more intuitive, human-centered environments.

Paths, edges, districts, nodes, and, of course, landmarks are the elements that contribute to the construction of the city's image. Therefore, landmarks are also a functional element of the city, as they make a place memorable and offer a recognizable element that fixes the image of the local city in the visitor's mind. People tend to use a series of landmarks to create a mental image of their route, which helps them navigate through the city more easily.

2. A pattern language, by Christopher Alexander et al. (1977)

The second suggested book is A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa and Murray Silverstein of the Center for Environmental Structure of Berkeley, California (link to google books). The book contains a comprehensive set of 253 patterns or design solutions that can be used to create spaces that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally fulfilling. The main takeaway that the episode explores is about how to create environments that promote human well-being, what are the most effective strategies that an architect can follow. Just to mention a few of them, that are significant in this context, we suggest to give a look to:

• Old People Everywhere: this pattern emphasizes the importance of creating public spaces that are accessible and inviting for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults. Today, this is also more relevant as we know that life expectancy is longer than in the past. Landmarks can be beneficial to make these spaces interesting to use.
• Six-Foot Balcony: this pattern describes the importance of creating balconies or other elevated spaces that overlook public spaces and offer opportunities for people to engage with their surroundings. These balconies can be designed to create a sense of privacy while still allowing people to observe and interact with the public space.
• The Welcoming Public Space: this pattern underlines the importance of creating public spaces that are welcoming and inviting for all. Landmarks can be used to create a sense of identity and pride in the community.

3. Life between buildings, by Jan Gehl (1971)

The last suggestion is Life Between Buildings, the famous book by Jan Gehl first published in 1971 (link to google books). This book has been influential in shaping urban design and planning practices and has led to the creation of more pedestrian-friendly, people-oriented public spaces in cities around the world. Talking about landmarks, Gehl argues that they are crucial in creating successful public spaces as they can attract people to a place, provide a focal point for social interaction, and foster a sense of identity and belonging.

In this episode of materico Leonardo talks with Simona Malvezzi. Together with Wilfried Kuehn and Johannes Kuehn she is the founder of KUEHN MALVEZZI in Berlin, 2001. KUEHN MALVEZZI has gained international recognition for their innovative and unconventional approach to architecture and design. Their projects span a wide range of scales, from small installations to large urban projects. They are known for their ability to integrate contemporary architecture into historical and cultural contexts. The studio has also been involved in a number of remarkable exhibitions and installations, including several Venice Biennials, the Chicago Biennials and the Lisbon Triennal.

As for the other episodes of the second season of materico, the conversation starting point is a reflection about how a contemporary architect can deal with the renovation of an architectural heritage, focusing on the conception of the landmark and the role of public spaces.

Simona briefly explains the characteristic approach of their studio, which they define curatorial, borrowing the term from the art field, which is a constant reference for them.

Among other notable projects, a part of the conversation aims the attention to "House of One", an interreligious building in Petriplatz, Berlin city center, that houses a synagogue, a church and a mosque under the same roof. KUEHN MALVEZZI project won the international competition for the inter-faith house of prayer back in 2012.
Simona refers to the work of Gianbattista Nolli, the italian engineer who drew city plans as black homogeneous mass in which open public spaces where left in white, "like voids dug out of the constructed mass." Nolli's representation of Rome, where the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are easily recognisable, is included in the following pictures.

You can learn more about KUEHN MALVEZZI architects in their website at www.kuehnmalvezzi.com

The episode, as well as the second season of materico architecture podcast, is inspired by the reuseitaly's Reuse the Tower competition. More info at www.reuseitaly.com/competitions/reuse-the-tower-lecce/

Ludocvica and Leonardo are going to explore the vision and principles of KOSMOS Architects through the words of Artem Kitaev, one of the founding partners of the firm.

The first topic is a dive into the early days of KOSMOS Architects, how and why they came up with this practice name, how they shaped their daily routine with the team that was collaborating virtually across the borders, and how their environment became a 'universal space of discourse' in terms of experiments, geographical location, and projects.

The conversation then jumps into the theme of heritage and reuse in architecture by talking about the relationship between cultural identity and vernacular architecture. In that regard, Torre Rinalda in Lecce is brought to the table as a remarkable example of both a monument to vernacular architecture and a powerful landmark.

Artem later shares with us his vision about the proper use and reuse of materials, and how an architect should develop a clear interpretation of how resources are consumed during the construction process. On this topic, the Basel "reuse" pavilion will be mentioned during the interview. You can see it in one of the following pictures.

You can see more about KOSMOS architects in their website at www.k-s-m-s.com

The episode, as well as the second season of materico architecture podcast, is inspired by the reuseitaly's Reuse the Tower competition. More info at www.reuseitaly.com/competitions/reuse-the-tower-lecce/