Nachholtermin der Veranstaltung vom 5. Februar 2024, die wegen Krankheit kurzfristig abgesagt werden musste.

Podiumsdiskussion auf Englisch mit:

• Einführungsreferat: An Fonteyne, Architektin, Brüssel
• Stanislaus von Moos, Architekturtheoretiker, Zürich 
• Moderation: Jean-Daniel Strub, Ethiker, Zürich

In times when everything is shifting, reflecting on traditional principles in architecture becomes increasingly challenging. The architectural relevance of the concept of character, as discussed from the 18th century onwards, certainly deserves reconsideration. Character has mainly been interpreted in the context of a new building, often by an individual author, not seldom described as a male genius. All these matters have changed substantially. With the omnipresent transformation of existing buildings, a building's character in relation to both its purpose and its author are under pressure. The diverse societies we live in also challenge the way a building's character can express its cultural relevance, now that spatial codes and conventions are no longer shared by the vast majority.

Thinking about architectural expression leads to exciting new discussions. When working on the character of a building, our position oscillates between a desire for exactitude and a fascination for ambiguity. Exactitude, an attitude in which everything is weighed, in which every detail counts, stems from the desire to build a controlled, highly intentional image. Ambiguity is the ability of a building to be perceived in multiple ways. A status that can be seen as unclear and confusing, or as valuable in its complexity and richness. Can we, as architects, embrace the idea of leaving the spatial meaning of a building open to allow for different readings of one architecture? Should we let go of control?