Gestalten

Amazing Space

The book presentation of Spacecraft: Fleeting Architecture and Hideouts will be accompanied by a discussion event at Pro qm Bookstore in Berlin on Friday, October 5, 2007.

As Feireiss will show in his presentation, Spacecraft presents projects that expand the boundaries of traditional architecture and are distinguished by a playful, inspiring and unconventional use of space. In particular, the book documents structures that reflect the new ways we work, meet and play in a world strongly influenced by the latest technologies. On the one hand, Spacecraft focuses on spaces that are used temporarily such as vacation homes, urban and rural hideouts, studios or workshops. On the other hand, the book features flexible, fleeting structures that may only exist for a limited time such as pavilions, exhibition venues and art projects.

After the book presentation, Magazine editor Anh-Linh Ngo will moderate a discussion about the relevance of such playful projects to architecture today with renowned architects from raumlabor_berlin, PLATOON cultural development and après-nous. Are structures that are used temporarily or that exist only fleetingly a mere fad or are they actually changing the way we understand the discipline of architecture? How are they changing and influencing the way we deal with space?

The participants in detail: As the editor of the book Spacecraft and as a teacher, writer and curator for various international projects Lukas Feireiss is deeply involved in the discussion and mediation of architecture, art and media beyond its disciplinary boundaries. Markus Bader is an architect and part of raumlabor_berlin. The company began working on issues of contemporary architecture and urbanism in 1999 and investigates strategies for urban renewal in various interdisciplinary teams. Christoph Frank's PLATOON cultural development was founded in 2000. The company recruits creative task forces to implement their projects, which focus on all aspects of socially relevant communication. Florence Girod, Catharina Förster and Helga Blocksdor are founders of après-nous. They have been developing temporary installations in empty shop spaces in Berlin and around the world since 2000.

Last but not least there is moderator Anh-Linh Ngo who is an architect and editor of archplus Magazine. Living and working in Berlin, he recently participated in documenta 12 magazines and curated the associated exhibition "The Making of Your Magazines".

The event will conclude with a music set by Studio Neu’s DJ Peejay.

Editor Lukas Feireiss will present the latest release from Die Gestalten Verlag (dgv) Spacecraft: Fleeting Architecture and Hideouts at the Pro qm bookstore, Almstadtstraße 48-50 in 10119 Berlin-Mitte starting at 8:30 pm on Friday, October 5.