Power Building
How do the settings of seats of power characterize the different polities of our time?
The workshop will explore the relationship between space and politics through documenting and comparing the settings of international collaboration. While institutions such as the United Nations, European Union or conferences like the G7, World Forum, and OPEC are central drivers of globalization and international cooperation, the spaces in which these exchanges take place remain mostly ignored.
Reading the architecture of these spaces becomes a way to trace differences and connections between cultures of assembly. Whereas, each of these spaces has its own distinct characteristics, they all create particular rituals for collective decisions.
We will explore the spaces of international institutions and conferences, through research and design, and will develop proposals for alternative, more inclusive, architectures.
David Mulder van der Vegt (NL)
David Mulder van der Vegt is an architect and writer based in Amsterdam. He is a co-founder of XML, a creative agency in architecture, urbanism, and cultural analysis. He has been a lecturer at TU Delft, the Dessau Institute of Architecture, and RWTH Aachen. He directed the interdisciplinary research program Designing Democracy at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. David co-authored Parliament, which compares the plenary halls of parliament of all 193 United Nations member states. Currently, he is a studio master at the Design Academy in Eindhoven.
XML is known for tailoring buildings to contemporary life, including the United Nations office tower ‘United Natures’ and the Hong Kong art space ‘Art Square’.
The office has won multiple awards, including two Europan awards. Their work was exhibited at the 14th International Architecture Biennial in Venice and the 5th Guangzhou Triennial. Since 2010, the office is focused on spaces of political congregation.
x‑m-l.org
