archXchange – Berlin and Moscow
DAZ_FORUM
11. March 2006 - 21. April 2006
The project archXchange, initiated by team 05 (architects Lara Eichwede, Bernd Ax, Martin Tamke, Sonja Zormebik) explores the meaning of architecture for cultural identity in Russia and Germany, focusing on Moscow and Berlin.
Moscow and Berlin can still be regarded as Europe’s most exemplary mega contruction sites. An ongoing urban transformation process is shaping both capitals. From the German perspective, the development of the Russian architectural scene progresses with enormous, almost explosive speed. Buildings are planned and built in incredibly short periods of times. The methods, styles and concepts implemented are diverse and a cityscape emerges shaped by the dynamic of the moment. There are parallels as well as differences in Berlin and Moscow that need to be exchanged. The Russian scence is opening up, interested in communication and German architects look at the new dynamics at the East with increasing attention – architectural export is a current hot topic. The interaction between the East and the West is the generator of this project. Do similar questions lead to different answers? What role do identity and experience play in the architectural process?
The exhibition at the German Center for Architecture DAZ presented results of the archXchange workshop, which took place in Moscow in August 2005. In collaboration with the Center for Contemporary Architecture Moscow, team05 organized a meeting of six young German and Russian architectural teams: Ania Easty, blauraum, magma architecture, team05, Team Russia and trans-struktura-express. The workshop was moderated by James McAdam (London/Moscow) and Jan Strömer (Hamburg) and resulted into design proposals for transforming the Danilovskaya factory area in Moscow into an interdisciplinary cultural center. The concepts also reflect on Moscow’s urban context, on personal perceptions of the city and the current architectural debate.
Urban planners, artists, architects, and architectural experts from both countries discussed their perspectives on the subject at the symposium on March 11 and 12,2006. Various tendencies of current urban development in Berlin and Moscow were introduced in three panels.
A documentation of the archXchange project has been published by publishing house jovis Verlag Berlin (German/English, 128 pages, ISBN 3-936314-67-5).
archXchange is an intitiave by team05, a Berlin based group of architects. The project concept was implemented in collaboration with several partners, e.g. the German Center for Architecture DAZ and the Center for Contemporary Architecture CSA Moscow.
Further information
Contact team 05: Lara Eichwede: Tel. +49(30) 23457111, Cell +49(172) 3098987, EMail:l.eichwede@team05.de
www.archxchange.net
A catalogue is available online.
Supported by Hauptstadtkulturfonds
