In this semester, we want to take a multi-layered look at topics of feminist spatial practice. On the one hand, we will focus on architectural positions that often go unnoticed in a traditional canon; on the other hand, we will use potentials from current feminist literature to develop new strategies for spatial design.
‘(…) open space is rarely used in the newly built estates. Investors and architects either underestimate the importance of these spaces for a functioning housing estate, or (…) out of habit, focus their attention only on the buildings themselves’. – Halina Skibniewska (1979)
This quote is taken from a text by the Polish architect Halina Skibniewska, which she published in 1979 in the book “Tereny otwarte” on open spaces in housing estates. Due to the need to build affordable housing quickly after the Second World War, strategies were developed in post-war Poland to build affordable housing efficiently and so a large number of housing estates were built. There was not always enough time to consider the spaces between the buildings, which led to many projects becoming “architecture without urban planning or urban planning without architecture” (Bielecki 1977). This semester we want to devote special attention to the “often unnoticed” space between buildings. On the one hand, this space can be seen as an “extension of living space” (Skibniewska 1974); on the other hand, we will explore potentials that can be used as social infrastructure.
Based on Halina Skibniewska’s reflections on social housing and supported by current feminist literature, this semester we want to deal with spaces on the threshold between built space, interior space and public space. The focus will be on the responsibility for these spaces, which are located at the interface between the private and public spheres. We will examine the significance of these spaces for questions of social reproduction and look for their potential for a functioning community. First of all, we consider what sort of spaces can be spaces of social infrastructure. Perhaps playgrounds, perhaps washrooms, perhaps a community garden or something else?
The aim is to develop design strategies that offer us new tools for a feminist architectural practice by examining current historical and contemporary architectural examples and current feminist theories. At the same time, we will address the question of the extent to which architecture itself can be understood as a form of care work.
Methods:
“The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” (Audre Lorde 1984)
By engaging with feminist perspectives, new tools are to be developed that offer an alternative to the traditional methods of the canon.
Basic texts by feminist theorists such as Elke Krasny, Tithi Batthacharyia and Doina Petrescu form the basis for the spatial research. Historical and contemporary texts are read for this purpose. The design students develop conceptual approaches for their design task. The aim is to combine concepts of social reproduction theory with architectural design methods in order to develop strategies for the development of living spaces that go beyond the traditional spaces we are familiar with.
Based on the theoretical texts they have read, teams will focus on a particular topic and work on it in greater depth in the project.
The course will be held in German, but if necessary English can be used in communication as well. Some of the basic texts will be provided in English, and some of the lectures will also be in English.
Lecturer:
Julia Nuler
further information:
Kick-Off: Thu, March 6th, 2025, 2pm – 4pm, in Raumlabor, Hof 1, TU Wien
Meetings every thursday 9:30am – 4:30pm.