Description
The non-apodictic nature of architecture, often in tension with the techno-determinism of engineering, reveals a deeper philosophical divide between the two fields. Architecture, viewed through the lens of science and engineering, is frequently seen as imprecise or ambiguous. This perception is rooted in a bias that can have profound implications on how architectural research and education are approached. Yet, this perceived ambiguity may, in fact, be one of architecture’s most significant assets. It is born from the complex interplay between the Beaux-Arts and Polytechnic traditions, which together create a unique disciplinary hybrid. These traditions, though seemingly at odds, combine to produce an approach that is both inexact and rigorous. It is this duality that sets architecture apart from other disciplines. Architecture, as a material-discursive practice, operates at the intersection of abstract concepts and tangible realities. This interplay is fundamental to its function. Unlike many disciplines that operate solely in the realm of theory or material practice, architecture requires both. It draws on abstract, conceptual tools while simultaneously engaging with the concrete realities. This dual engagement allows architecture to navigate a paradoxical space, one where the incorporeal world of ideas and images is always in dialogue with the corporeal world of materials and forces. Architecture’s role is not merely to represent culture; it is an active machine of transindividuation. Through its ethico-aesthetic affect, architecture modulates modes of existence. The hylomorphic idea of architectural design as the manipulation of objects in space is outdated. Instead, neomaterialist architecture must be understood as a system of actions, where each action influences and is influenced by others. This ‘action-on-action’ paradigm is key to understanding the metastable nature of architecture, a field constantly evolving in response to the forces that act upon it.| Period | 25 Feb 2025 |
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| Event title | International Congress on New Materialisms |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Madrid, SpainShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |