Visionary architecture in focus

Speculative as well as realised works by renowned contemporary architects is the focus of the upcoming Communiqu 2015 lecture series at the University of Auckland. Hosted by the School of Architecture and Planning, the theme of this years popular annual series is Bridging the Utopian and the Pragmatic.

Architectural visions will be presented by the authors themselves as well as critical historians, tracing the processes of space-making, from ideas to research and invention, to realisation for some.

Communiqu 2015 begins with Gregor Hoheisel of GRAFT, the cutting-edge company known for collaborating with actor Brad Pitt to rebuild a neighbourhood in New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. More recently they invented the worlds first solar kiosks; compact, autonomous, modular business units with solar panels, designed to provide affordable energy, products, tools and services to the approximately 16 per cent of the worlds population living in regions without access to electricity.

Second in the series is Chris Bosse co-founder of the Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA), a firm that explores the frontiers that merge technology with the patterns of organisation found in nature, in the belief that this will result in a smarter, friendlier, more socially and environmentally responsible future. LAVA designs include pop up installations, urban centres, homes made from bottles, furniture, hotels, and airports.

In the following lecture Senior Lecturer Ross Jenner, from the University of Auckland, will focus on the work of Portuguese architecture firm Aires Mateus, renowned for their sculptural minimalist buildings.

Next Senior Lecturer Alessandro Melis from the University of Auckland and also co-founder of Heliopolis21, will discuss the design process of the firms award-winning, multifunctional complex Trentino. Heliopolis 21 designs environmentally conscious buildings and smart cities which aim to meet todays needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

The fifth speaker in the series is Severin Soder from Architectus, who will reflect on designs from the firms archives which have never been fully realised, existing only as drawings and models.

Later in the lecture series Associate Dean Julia Gatley, from the University of Auckland and author of the book Athfield Architects, will discuss the extraordinary vision of one of New Zealands best known architects, Sir Ian Athfield, who died recently.

Communiqu ends with Jinhee Park and John Hong of Single speed Design (SsD), acclaimed for their inventive designs, particularly for small urban living spaces. They will discuss their projects and how they maximise architectures ability to change the way we live, work, and socialise.

All seven lectures target issues relevant to architecture and planning and are intended to foster critical discussion and debate.

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Visionary architecture in focus