AA Buenos Aires Visiting School

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires Turns to The River, Escuela de Arquitectura y Estudios Urbanos, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

Monday 16 – Friday 27 July 2012

The border between the city of Buenos Aires and the river Plate is an unexplored opportunity. The grid that configures the city’s urban tissue remains oblivious to its context, imposing a constant order. Its relationship with the river is one of mutual exclusion; as soon as the grid reaches the river it stops, but never modifies its nature. There is one happy exception to this condition – the northern riverside area of Buenos Aires called ‘Tigre’, which responds to the topography of the natural delta. 

In this workshop, projects will embrace the boundary between river and city as a means of managing alternative metropolitan ecosystems. By challenging the traditional relationship between architectural, urban and natural forces, students will propose new territorial organisations that develop both floating and rooted structures that are responsive to the nature of the delta. In this research workshop students have the opportunity to develop a range of computational techniques in order to explore alternative design opportunities. 

Week 1 
Organised in teams, students will work with the articulation of the grid and the river. The goal is to produce several iterations analysing the potential transformation of the grid as it reaches the riverbank. This analysis will form the basis of an urban design proposal that establishes a new relationship between the city and the river. Design tutors, including Victor Orive, Arturo Revilla and professionals from the A A and other institutions, will provide digital tutorials and lectures on their own urban design research and projects. 

Week 2 
During this phase we will address how such conditions affect discrete objects and/or a field of objects. The goal is to design a pavilion and study how a gradual change in field conditions will affect its size, porosity and orientation. This will unfold new opportunities to redefine the relationship between form and function.

Applications

The deadline for applications is 2 July 2012. All participants travelling from abroad are responsible for securing any visa required. After payment of fees, the AA can provide a letter confirming participation in the workshop. A portfolio or CV is not required, only the online application form and payment.

Fees

The AA Visiting School requires a fee of £695 per participant, which includes a £50 Visiting Membership. If you are already a member, the total fee will be reduced automatically by £50 by the online payment system. Fees are non refundable. Fees do not include flights. Accommodation during the workshop is not provided, but advice on accommodation options can be given. 

Students need to bring their own laptops, digital equipment and model making tools. Please ensure this equipment is covered by your own insurance as the AA takes no responsibility for items lost or stolen at the workshop.

Eligibility 
The workshop is open to architecture and design students and professionals worldwide.