Biennial Platform
Hardly any other European region brings together so many internationally active architecture firms. The foundation Architektur Dialoge Basel has therefore initiated «Architekturwoche Basel» (AWB) as a biennial platform for architecture and urban development in order to visibly showcase this diverse potential of building culture, expertise and architectural enthusiasm in the Regio Basiliensis. The AWB took place for the first time in 2022. Under the artistic direction of Chrissie Muhr, AWB dedicated its inaugural year to the theme of «Real Spaces» — and thus to the question of how globalization, digitalization, migration, climate change and the pandemic spatially influence our living space and everyday life.
AWB 2024
The second edition of Architekturwoche Basel in September 2024, entitled ‘Hidden Spaces: Opportunities for the Future’, is dedicated to the transformation and activation of hidden spaces – because the invisible is not taken care of in the same way as the visible. The invisible includes various 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 present and future presence in the city and the countryside–because hidden spaces offer opportunities and chances for the future.
AWB’24 offers seven days of exhibitions and guided tours, discussions and film programme, presentations and an pop up shop for news architecture books. The aim is to understand the invisible forces in our built environment and use them as tools for rethinking architecture.
Changing and repurposing existing buildings and structures takes time. It requires a new way of thinking and a new view of what is valuable. In Switzerland, it still seems easier and cheaper to demolish a building than to work with the existing structure. Sustainable design choices are the key to reducing the serious environmental impact of construction, so a change in attitude is needed 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.
Background
Basel is the architectural capital of Switzerland. In the trinational area along the Rhine, architecture is practiced, built and lived, and numerous internationally active architectural offices are based here. In order to further develop and showcase the great potential of building culture, expertise and enthusiasm in the city and surrounding region, the «Architektur Dialoge Basel» foundation has initiated the «Architekturwoche Basel».
About Architektur Dialoge
Since its establishment in 2006, the «Architektur Dialoge Basel» foundation has sought to bring contemporary architecture to a wider audience and promote dialogue about the built environment. With its online agenda, the foundation provides information about its own architectural events as well as the wealth of offers from other institutions in northwestern Switzerland, south Baden and Alsace.
Artistic Advisory Board
Esther Baur
Architect, Board Member Architektur Dialoge, Managing Director Open House Basel
Christian W. Blaser
Architect, President and Board Member of Architektur Dialoge
Ludovica Molo
Architect, Partner studio we architetti, President BSA – FAS, International Institute of Architecture i2a
Marianne Goebl
Managing Director Artek
Andreas Ruby
Director Swiss Architecture Museum S AM, Curator, Ruby Press
Stefan Marbach
Architect, Senior Partner Herzog & de Meuron