urban : non-urban

Towards a co-evolutionary construction design

A brief Evolution of Architectural, Landscape and Urban Design

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The narrative of architectural, landscape and urban design has undergone significant transformations, moving from the client-centered approach epitomized by the grandeur of Versailles to the era of superstar architects driven by globalization, further developed to a building-centred practice in BIM and now towards a new paradigm centered on sustainability, circularity and interconnectedness, as highlighted by OpenLandscape.studio’s philosophy of "urban : non-urban" inspired by Robert Smithson[1] land art installations and motivated by the philosophy of the Critical Zones by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel[2].

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Client-Centered Architecture: Versailles and Its Legacy

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The Palace of Versailles stands as a monumental example of client-centered architecture and landscaping. Commissioned by Louis XIV, Versailles was designed to embody the absolute power and divine right of the monarchy. Architects like Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart, along with landscape architect André Le N?tre, created a sprawling complex that not only showcased the king’s wealth and power but also served as a symbol of the French state’s grandeur.

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This approach to architecture and landscape was deeply personal and political. The design was developedaround the ambitions of the client, the king. The architectural narrative was crafted to reflect the values and aspirations of the ruling elite, making the client’s vision primary focus of the design process.

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The Rise of Superstar Architecture in the Age of Globalization

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As the 20th century progressed, the advent of globalization and the rise of mass media paved the way to a new era in architecture characterized by the emergence of superstar architects alike fashion supermodels. Figures and Studios like Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Coop Himmelb(l)au and Rem Koolhaas‘ OMA became well known brands, their designs celebrated for their innovation, uniqueness, and often, their bold aesthetic statements.

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This period marked a shift from client-centered design to an architecture where the architect’s vision took center stage. The buildings themselves became icons. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao by Frank Gehry, with its striking titanium curves, is a quintessential example of this phenomenon. The focus was on creating landmark structures that could draw global attention by reactivating urban areas, enhance cultural prestige, and drive economic growth through tourism and media exposure.

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Globalization facilitated this shift by enabling architects to work on projects around the world, often creating designs that were less about local context and more about universal appeal and personal brand.

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Building-Centered Design in the Age of BIM

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The recent developments in Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has brought another significant shift in design practice. BIM allows for the creation of comprehensive digital representations of buildings, integrating various aspects of design, construction, and operation into a cohesive building model. This technology shall foster a more collaborative approach, involving architects, engineers, contractors, and clients from the earliest stages of design, but it’s under discussion if this bold goal is reachable with BIM technology. The BIM is limited by its setup to negotiate design processes of integrating co-evolutionary programs with its Umwelt.

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BIM’s integration into the architectural process marks a move towards a building-centered approach. The focus of such development is on creating efficient, sustainable, and functional structures that can be meticulously planned and executed. BIM’s capabilities for simulation and analysis enables planners to optimize building performance, considering factors like energy efficiency, structural integrity, and lifecycle costs from the outset. Until now, the wider usage of BIM is challenged by integrating the vast amount of ‘useful’ data by exceeding the capacities of most of the planner team setups. ?

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The Focus of the Relation between Landscape und Architecture

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Introduction to Designing Environments[3] by Michael U. Hensel et al emphasizes on the evolving relationship between landscape and architecture, particularly during the 1990s. This period saw a significant shift in architectural thinking as architects such as UN Studio and Sn?hetta, who began to integrate ecological considerations, urban space, and landscape elements more ambitious into their designs. Hensel et al highlights how this integration was driven by a growing awareness of environmental issues and the need for sustainable and social practices in architectural and urban development.

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During the 1990s, architects started to view landscapes not just as passive backdrops for buildings but as active components of the architectural design. This shift led to a more holistic approach where architecture and landscape design were seen as interconnected disciplines that could work together to create more sustainable and resilient environments. Key figures and projects from this era demonstrated how buildings could harmonize with their natural surroundings, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and ecological function.

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A new plot-centered perspective is needed. "urban : non-urban"

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In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of design and the need for sustainable design practices. This has given rise to a new way in architectural and landscape design, one that is complex, Umwelt-centered and deeply contextual.

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OpenLandscape.Studio embodies this shift with its methodology of "urban : non-urban." This approach questions cultural and economical boundaries between urban, rural and natural environments, promoting designs that appear co-evolutionary with their surroundings within time and space and respect the ecological and social context.

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The OpenLandscape.Studio’s methodology emphasizes the interdependence of affected systems (human behavior, technology, natural environment …), by promoting design that advocates an systemic approach, but is also routed in adapting the concept of the Critical Zones.

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Critical Zones: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Planet

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The concept of Critical Zones, as explored by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel, further underscores this planet-centered perspective. Critical Zones refer to the thin layer of the Earth’s surface where life thrives, encompassing the interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. This idea challenges planners to review their role in shaping environments, emphasizing the need for designs that are attuned to the delicate balance of these zones. OpenLandscape.Studio is providing support to design teams and other stakeholders by integrating this methodology into the design development.

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Incorporating the Critical Zones concept into design practice means prioritizing coevolutionary relation between several agents in time and space, and therefore the health of ecosystems. It offers a multi-directional way of coevolution of plot and planet. It calls for a holistic approach that considers the long-term impacts. Often a series of buildings are following each other on the same plot over time, which calls for a regenerative design practices that enhances interacting systems.

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Conclusion

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Evolution of architectural and landscape design has always been reflecting societal changes. And the world is still witnessing client-centered opulence, superstar architecture and a building-centered data-driven approaches.

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We call for a transition to a co-evolutionary and interrelated program.

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Today’s design narrative is increasingly centered on the well-being of both people and the planet, as exemplified by OpenLandscape.Studio’s "urban : non-urban" concept and the Critical Zones framework. As we move forward, the challenge for architects, landscape architects and urban designers will evoke designsolutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing and functional, but also truly embedded within the systems of the Critical Zones.

The methodology "urban : non-urban" by OpenLandscape.Studio allows an Augmented Design Negotiation, which enables a design practice to connect the plot, the area, the region with a strategy to keep the planet Earth and its Critical Zone in balance.

Michael Beckert

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[1] Robert Smithson, The Collected Writings (Documents of twentieth century art), published by University of California Press, 1996

[2] Critical Zones: The Science and Politics of Landing on Earth, co-published by ZKM Karlsruhe and MIT Press Cambridge, 2020

[3] Introduction to Designing Environments, Paradigms & Approaches, Michael U.Hensel et al, published by Springer, 2023