As a teacher and researcher he directs thesis projects with Jaime Hayón for the Master of European Design Labs at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Madrid; he has been invited as visiting professor and lecturer in Geneve (HEAD), Columbia University (New York), Danish Center for Architecture (Copenhagen), Vitra Design Museum at Boisbuchet, Graham Foundation (Chicago), México DF, Grenoble, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Madrid and Alicante.

As part of the New Generations project, in this interview he talks about his “Three Approaches to Architecture in Times of Crisis.” Mixing up different practices, he points out that:“I no longer know what architecture is and what an architect should do”.

More info: Luis Úrculo and New Generations

On the occasion of The Forum on the City: MADRID, Venturini wrote a text about the constant transformation of Madrid as a consequence of the economic crisis that is affecting Spain, pointing out that this fact is strongly reflected in the work of the younger generation of architects. This emergent generations of architects include several studios and collectives based in Madrid (among other cities). Venturini visited Estudio SIC to talk about the new cultural, political and economic conditions which are reflected in society, and that act as catalyst for new ideas, methods and innovative processes.

We can read about Estudio SIC:

“In recent years, an interesting phenomenon has been taking hold once again in Spain: architecture collectives (the “Colectivos de Arquitectura”) are re-appearing, in response to the change of conditions currently afflicting the profession. A result is the re-emergence of a number of key concepts that characterise these young groups of creatives: work based on collaboration, plurality and the creation of innovative ideas through debate and confrontation.”

“Despite the fact that Spain, and in particular Madrid, have for some years been living in a state of uncertainty, highly innovative initiatives find space here. This is the case of  Estudio SIC, a research and architecture collective founded in 2004 by Esaú Acosta Pérez, Mauro Gil-Fournier Esquerra and Miguel Jaenicke Fontao. Although they are based in Madrid, they have always supported initiatives based on permeability and delocalisation of the workspace. These concepts acquire form via a series of initiatives implemented in a number of Spanish and European cities, which have led to the creation of a network of extremely flexible spaces for working and collaboration.”

The interview was published in “Domus” magazine. To read more, please visit the post Studio Visit 04: Estudio SIC.

Photo by Lukasz Michalak courtesy of intermediae.

This year, the project Madrid Río, one of the case studies of The Forum for the City, was awarded under the banner, “Build A Better World Now,” in a selection of designs for buildings and products that emphasize the most advanced “Green Approach” and the most sophisticated methods and technology to make the the most positive impact on the environment.

The project Madrid Río has been designed by Burgos & Garrido Arquitectos Asociados, Porras La Casta Arquitectos, Rubio & Álvarez-Sala and West 8 and is part of the case studies selected for thr Kent Sate Forum on the City: MADRID.

More info: Burgos-Garrido

Photo courtesy of The European Centre For Architecture Art Design and Urban