The Ecological Turn Vol. II: Ethics, Architecture, and Activism
An exploration of the relationship between contemporary architecture practice and climate activism with the French architectural studio Les Marneurs and climate activist Esther Kjeldahl.
The architecture of the 1990s and 2000s was arguably characterised by a severe subordination with architects relenting to the needs of the client, turning architecture into a nonpartisan servant of market forces. Yet, as architecture seems to be in the process of developing a clearer understanding of its normative foundation, one can discern a distinct schism from this instrumentalist paradigm among the new generations of architects.
The second chapter of the seminar series will focus on this re-politicisation of architecture with a particular focus on identifying the responsibilities of architects and exploring pathways towards a more climate-conscious architectural paradigm. We will examine how practitioners in the field can take significant measures to facilitate a renewed equilibrium and solidarity between humans and more-than-human species, while also considering how a renewed engagement with ethical reasoning might reshape the relationship between architecture and climate activism.
Guests:
- Les Marneurs, a French architectural office with a high consciousness of environmental issues
- Esther Kjeldahl, philosopher, activist and initiator of Den Grønne Studenterbevægelse (the Green Student Movement)
- Mette Juhl Jessen, landscape architect, researcher, and member of the editorial board for the magazine Landskab
- Kristoffer Weiss, philosopher, director of The Danish Architectural Press, former partner in EFFEKT
The event is a collaboration between CAFx, L’Institut Francais and Velux.