The second edition of Architekturwoche Basel, which begins on September 7, 2024, is dedicated to the transformation and activation of hidden spaces under the title “Hidden Spaces: Opportunities for the Future” – because the invisible is not cared for in the same way as the visible. The invisible includes diverse networks and infrastructures such as watercourses and reservoirs, the production of food and energy, our waste, our data, administrative and social boundaries and, last but not least, our history. These are all important parameters that determine our current and future presence in the city and countryside – because hidden spaces offer opportunities for the future.
Image above: RESERVOIR, Untergeschoss Parkhaus Leimgrube, Dreispitz-Areal Basel © Architekturwoche Basel, Photo: Sarah Basar
AWB’24 (Architekturwoche Week Basel 2024) offers seven days of exhibitions and guided tours, discussions and a film program, presentations and a pop-up store for new architecture books. Its aim is to understand the invisible forces in our built environment and to use them as tools for a reorientation of architecture.
Changing and repurposing existing buildings and structures takes time. A rethink and a new view of what is valuable are essential. In Switzerland, it still seems to be easier and cheaper to demolish a building than to work with the existing structure. Sustainable conceptual decisions are the key to reducing the serious environmental impact of construction. This is why there needs to be a change in awareness when dealing with existing buildings.
The AWB’24 aims to achieve a social and cultural impact. It advocates a new restraint in building and ecological solutions to overcome the current inflexibility of architecture.
During AWB’24, the focus will be on a multi-storey parking lot on the Dreispitz site with its underground water reservoir. From September 7 to 13, 2024, visitors will be able to experience spatial, cultural and social interventions and installations alongside the everyday use of the RESERVOIR. The jury selected ‘Resonance’ as the winning project from 161 submissions. Three architects and one artist – Marcel Arndt, Tim Berresheim, Wiebke Schlüter and Wolfgang Zeh – proposed a sound installation. The building becomes an echo chamber of ideas by listening to the reservoir and its visitors and amplifying these encounters. The sensitive handling of the building and the theme of transformation through sound fit perfectly into the context of the Architecture Week Basel 2024. The Open Call and the intervention with its accompanying events are supported by the Christoph Merian Foundation.
In the forum, the question of the opportunities for the future of hidden spaces will be explored in depth. Tours, exhibitions and discussions on the three themes of water, sound and food will show in a variety of ways how existing spaces can be redefined and used. The topics of the lunchtime tours will be explored in greater depth in the evenings in discussions for interested members of the public.
With AWB Tours, AWB’24 begins on Saturday and Sunday with a diverse range of visits, guided tours and tours through hidden spaces. These include old and new reservoirs, production sites for drinking water, food and energy, underground tunnels and cross-border routes.
With the AWB Films programme, the organizers of the Zurich ‘Architektur FilmTage’ open up perspectives on the transformation and activation of hidden spaces. Changing and repurposing existing buildings and structures requires a rethink and a new perspective on what is valuable.
The AWB Bücher program offers insights into newly published architecture books and the broad spectrum of current architectural topics. The creators of the art book fair ‘I Never Read,’ bring the world of architecture books to Basel for a week.
WHEN?
Exhibition dates: Saturday, September 7 – Friday, September 13, 2024
WHERE?
Various locations
Basel
Switzerland
