Théorie et critique du projet BA6 (Truwant et Rodet)

This spring semester, we will start with buildings fountains. The invented objects will have the necessary scale to function as containers of liquid. This first exercise will be an exploration of fluid dynamics, gravity, flow, erosion, porosity and velocity. We will create waves, infiltrate and flow.

The fountains at the Palladian Villa Barbaro were part of a complex hydraulic system that irrigated the gardens and fields. The water was collected behind the house, uphill, in a large circular reservoir. Flowing down into the first basin, it would later run in the canalization under the house to cool down the space and supply the kitchen with water. The residual water would be finally spread in the garden fountains.

Palladio's villa are extremely close related to the landscape and learning from the roman centuriation irrigation system was crucial for Palladio's understanding of the potential of water.  It took another 400 years for water to reach every home to ensure hygiene. In the meantime, fountains were used as a place for bathing or as a fresh water supply, functioning simultaneous as social communal spaces. And in some cases, they still function today as a gathering space.

And although water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource, it has become invisible in our homes. We would like during the semester to ask ourselves if the water can re-enter into our domestic spaces and provide an opportunity to create new social spaces? Can we use water as more than a resource to wash our dishes, our clothes, our hands, our bodies and hydrate ourselves?

Can a home be humid and porous? Can access to water be flexible?  Can water become a new center in our houses around we can organize new communal spaces?

The domestic project will be located in the port of Basel, an exciting area currently undergoing significant urban development. The hypothesis involves the preservation of the existing industrial functions by creating synergies with a housing project. Central to this investigation is the examination of building resources that can be transformed or re-used.

Our study trip to Berlin will be an opportunity to explore housing programs that challenge conventional typologies and the economic framework in which we have to operate today. Beyond it will be an opportunity to discover public, industrial or entertainment programs that can potentially be paired with housing.