In its down-to-earth, analytical approach, bureau SLA is somewhat similar to cepezed. So is their desire to stay involved in the building process for as long as possible. Yet the architecture of both firms is differs quite a lot. In the series of lectures for our 50th anniversary, Peter van Assche, founder of SLA, talked about what drives him, hence which choices he makes.
bird
Actions have consequences, Peter begins his story. Those consequences themselves are neutral. It means that what we do now has consequences for the future. Because of the enormous effect of the things we do now on the world of future generations, the present era is called the Anthropocene. Isn't it strange, Peter wonders, that the actions of, say, a bird do not affect the future. This is followed by the conclusion that as an animal, humans are a kind of misfit. That there is 'existential dissonance', as he calls it, he substantiates with photos, film clips and data.
data
In the light of actions and consequences, data are actually very important. They can help make sense of systems and they can initiate change. Although the latter is difficult, judging by the reaction - 'business as usual' - to the results of the Club of Rome study 50 years ago. If you want things to change, you also just have to take action, Peter makes clear from his projects.
attitude
Especially in the field of circular architecture, examples are important, he points out. Because circular building still revolves too much around materials (and data), instead of considering cultural change, he and the lectorate of the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture are researching the architectural vocabulary for a regenerative society. One of the 'attitudes' the researchers distinguish, they call 'invisible', where cepepezed's Temporary Court Amsterdam is used as an example. Other 'attitudes' are 'collage' and 'poetry', for example.
bird
Actions have consequences, Peter begins his story. Those consequences themselves are neutral. It means that what we do now has consequences for the future. Because of the enormous effect of the things we do now on the world of future generations, the present era is called the Anthropocene. Isn't it strange, Peter wonders, that the actions of, say, a bird do not affect the future. This is followed by the conclusion that as an animal, humans are a kind of misfit. That there is 'existential dissonance', as he calls it, he substantiates with photos, film clips and data.
data
In the light of actions and consequences, data are actually very important. They can help make sense of systems and they can initiate change. Although the latter is difficult, judging by the reaction - 'business as usual' - to the results of the Club of Rome study 50 years ago. If you want things to change, you also just have to take action, Peter makes clear from his projects.
attitude
Especially in the field of circular architecture, examples are important, he points out. Because circular building still revolves too much around materials (and data), instead of considering cultural change, he and the lectorate of the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture are researching the architectural vocabulary for a regenerative society. One of the 'attitudes' the researchers distinguish, they call 'invisible', where cepepezed's Temporary Court Amsterdam is used as an example. Other 'attitudes' are 'collage' and 'poetry', for example.
