NEWS

While France was focusing on its flops, other Modern in Venice pioneers of the Modern Movement architec- Absorbing Modernity 1914–2014 ture chose to celebrate it. The Netherlands pays homage to Bakema with Open; Great th at the 14 International Britain shows its specifically national forms of architectural and cultural modernity with Architecture Exhibition a Clockwork Jerusalem; and Office US presents the American hegemony trough corporate architecture, creating a repository of its worldwide contribution. The 2014 Venice ArchitectureBiennale is on “Heavy Panels: Economies of Scale or Mo- display from June to November. This year’s notony?”; and “Grands Ensembles: Healing The Unwritten Story edition is directed by Rem Koolhaas and is Heterotopias or Places of Seclusion?”. Each of Latvian Post-War Architecture bringing major novelties. For the first time part is represented by a large-scale object and the event will be held for six months and was linked-up to the others through a ubiquitous TheBiennale was an opportunity for some assembled for a longer period than ever be- film. countries to develop their first inquiries on fore. Koolhaas set this new schedule because The curator’s statement argues that 20th-century architectural legacy. Latvia, for he was committed to create a research-based France has shaped modernity since 1914. The instance, presents an exhibition curated by exhibition. According to Paolo Baratta, the exhibition succeeds at expressing modern- NRJA (No Rules Just Architecture) that as- president of the , this repre- ism as a complex reality by representing its serts the need for acknowledged research and sents an unprecedented method that had great expectations and ultimate disillusions. patrimonial evaluation of modern architec- never been used in past editions. The director From Jacques Tati’s comedy to the tragedy of ture in the country. The curators wish to start engaged all participants in the theme Fun- Drancy internment camp, France’s discourse an informed debate on the future of these damentals and tried to establish a narrative aims at epitomizing the Modern Movement buildings that are currently at risk. They be- between the show’s three main components: itself. 50 - 2014/1 lieve that biases towards Soviet architecture Absorbing Modernity, Elements of Architecture have blocked an objective assessment until and Monditalia. the present moment; they name “aversion”, Absorbing Modernity 1914-2014 is the theme “uncritical nostalgia” and “superficial hipster offered to the sixty-six participating countries docomomo joy” the responsibles for the current situation. for showing their processes of modernization Unwritten stands as an effort for starting in the last century. In his provocative initial a comprehensive survey on Latvia’s recent statement, Koolhaas invited all countries to architectural output. The exhibition develops reflect on the “erasure of national characteris- a work-in-progress database performed by tics in favor of the almost universal adoption a bright installation. The collected examples of a single modern language”. Most curators of Latvian 20th-century architecture are accepted the challenge and focused on spe- presented in paper sheets hanging from the cific national character and on the singulari- News 01 Office .US USA Pavillion, Giardini. sealing, which will continue to be piled up ties of their countries’ modernity. Throughout © Zara Ferreira, 2014. throughout the months of the Biennale. the Giardini, the Arsenale and some Venetian palaces, the exhibition presents a many-sided portrait of architectural modernity. Although using diverse strategies on display and aiming at different results, the national pavilions throw new light on the history of 20th-centu- ry architecture.

Great Failures in French Modernism

The presents a critical exhibi- tion curated by Jean-Louis Cohen, which received a Special Mention from the Jury. Modernity: Promise or Menace? focuses on the contradictions of the Modern Movement project, by portraying four French unsuccess- ful experiences. The exhibition is divided in four parts: “Jacques Tati and Villa Arpel: Object of De- sire or Ridiculous Machine?”; “Jean Prouvé: Constructive Imagination or Utopia?”; 02 Modernity: Promise or Menace? France Pavillion, Giardini. © Margarida Quintã, 2014.

80 Other post-socialist societies are dealing with similar challenges but using distinctive approaches to display their recent architec- tural past. Armenia, for instance, exhibits The Capital of Desires using Yerevan’s modern- ism to represent the Soviet Armenian era. Russia shows Fair Enough, which is an original exhibition using the universal manners of a trade fair to advertise Russian modern ideas. According to the jury, the received a Special Mention “for showcasing the contemporary language of commercial- ization of architecture”. The winner of this year’s Silver Lyon, Chile, also alludes to the Soviet influence in the country. Monolith Controversies is a notable exhibition set around a large concrete panel produced in the 1970’s. At that time, the Soviet Union sponsored social housing pro- grams in Chile by developing prefabrication systems. Chilean modernity is shown through an essential element of architecture embody- 03 Monolith Controversies. Chile Pavillion, Arsenale. 04 Fair Enough: Russia’s Past, our Present, Russia ing political and ideological debates. © Margarida Quintã, 2014. Pavillion, Giardini. © Margarida Quintã, 2014. Arab Modernism Collected by Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain presents

Fundamentalists and Other Arab Modernisms, 50 - 2014/1 documenting one hundred modern buildings across the Arab World. This architectural legacy is showed in “a subjective, non-

exhaustive and sometimes fictional reading”, docomomo as pointed out by the curators. The project is related to the Arab Center for Architecture, which is engaged in safeguarding the archival architecture heritage of this region. The exhibition catalogue presents the collection of buildings and is used, simultane- ously, as a relevant element to the display.

Tall wooden shelves, in which countless News catalogues are stored, outline a circular space with a large table. Sitting around the table, visitors can listen to political discourses, in different languages, from each Arab country. A map of the region with the buildings’ loca- tion is shown in the table while a projection of the speakers takes place in the ceiling. Focusing on the architectural legacy of the pan-Arab project, the Bahrain initiates a pioneering task. Modernism in the region is naturally linked to Colonialism, but the curators establish a chronological reading identifying different stages on its absorption within the last century. Countries like Morocco and Kuwait, both participating for the first time in the Architecture Biennale, are also dealing with remains of 20th-century political and cultural transnationalism. Morocco presents Fundamental(ism)s, which is an exhibition divided in two distinctive periods; the first section is devoted to 20th-century modern 05 Unwritten. Latvia Pavillion, Arsenale. © Margarida Quintã, 2014 housing experiments and the second to

81 06 Fundamentalists and Other Arab Modernisms. Kingdom of Bahrain Pavillion, Arsenale. © Ansgar Werrelmann, 2014. 07 Acquiring Modernity, Kuwait Pavillion, Arsenale. © Margarida Quintã, 2014. 50 - 2014/1

08 Forms of Freedom: African Independence and Nordic Models. Nordic Countries Pavillion, Giardini. © Alexandre Delmar, 2014. docomomo News

82 contemporary speculative projects in the tropy Africa is not officially part ofAbsorbing common reading between North and South Saharan desert. Kuwait displays Acquiring Mo- Modernity 1914-2014 but is relevantly adding to Korea. The jury highlighted the curator’s dernity using the Kuwait National Museum, the debate. With contributions from several efforts in “presenting a new and rich body designed by Michel Ecochard, to represent scholars, architects and artists, the exhibi- of knowledge of architecture and urban- the establishment of the state and its history tion catalogue collects information on the ism in a highly charged political situation.” of modernization. ways modernity was developed, absorbed or Minsuk Cho put up a dense show using many rejected in these countries. With a common different materials to present an architectural Modern Africa by the Nordics and recent colonial past, the five African discourse from this geopolitical territory. countries share a cultural heritage with each The awarded countries, Korea and Chile, are The presents an exhibi- other and with Portugal, overlapped with both peripheral in the traditional history of th tion on the modern production developed their own traditions and geographies. This 20 century architecture. Their non-West by Nordic architects in Tanzania, Kenya and contemporary struggle is the link between contributions not only complete our vision Zambia in the 1960s. Forms of Freedom: African the seven videos presented at Ilha de São Jorge. of the recent past but also inspire a potential Independence and Nordic Models displays the In spite of some blanks, Absorbing Modernity future. architectural output of Nordic development 1914-2014 is a wide-ranging exhibition on aid in the newly established African nations. recent world history of architecture. National The exhibition, curated by Nina Berre pavilions, in general, present serious and Editor’s Note and Space Group, is part of a larger project precise investigations on their latest years. developed by the National Museum in Oslo, Although the commission was to reflect Absorbing Modernity 1914–2014 had the participation of: on the years between 1914 and 2014, most Norway. The curators realized this legacy has Monolith Controversies — Chile been poorly studied, documented and exhib- countries focused on their Post-War period. Commissioner: Cristóbal Molina, docomomo Chile ited until the present moment. Therefore, the The contributions do not present uniformity or international tendencies but stress on “mo- Modernity: Promise or Menace?— France Biennale is a first occasion to display a partial Curator: Jean Louis Cohen, docomomo France collection of buildings and projects from this dernity with national features”. The diversity member historical period. resulting from this common strategy is on the The show was specially tailored to Sverre origin of Koolhaas most interesting conclu- Crow’s Eye View: The Korean Peninsula– Korea Curator: Changmo Ahn, docomomo Korea Fehn’s Pavilion: a series of walls, built-in the sions regarding Absorbing Modernity. In his ceiling structure, present the chronological vision, this exhibition questions “the so called Acquiring Modernity – Kuwait Deputy Commissioner: Zahra Ali Baba, in charge of the on-going creation chart of projects. Iwan Baan and Mette Tron- ‘end of modernism’ that Portoghesi and 50 - 2014/1 process of docomomo Kuwait. voll’s photographs complete the set showing Jencks had already proclaimed in the 1980s.” contemporary aspects of selected buildings. He goes as far as stating that the postmodern- …Condenados a Ser Modernos — Mexico Nordic architects developed symbols ism presented by the firstBiennale is not more Commissioner: Maria Margarita Segarra Lagunes, docomomo Mexico for African independence using modern than a “confuse footnote” when looking at all docomomo architectural language. In this case, modern- sixty-six national narratives. Open: A Bakema Celebration – The Netherlands ism is presented as a synonym of freedom and Provocative as ever, Koolhaas also declares Curators: Dirk van den Heuvel, docomomo Neth- erlands hope for Africa. Nonetheless, Sub-Saharan that “modernity has served so many different African countries have many different stories master narratives that it has become, finally, Forms of Freedom. African Independence and Nordic Models to tell about the last one hundred years in the ideologically neutral.” Furthermore, he points – Nordic Countries docomomo continent. The ArchitectureBiennale , unfor- out his success at presenting an architectural Curator: Nina Berre, Norway tunately, could not cover a significant part of exhibition that does not mention major Homeland. News From Portugal – Portugal that narrative. architects. He believes that these countries’ Participant: Zara Ferreira, docomomo International News The five Portuguese-speaking African modernization was translated into architec- ture, but he devalues architect’s real impact Officeus USA– Republics of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea- Curator: Ashley Schafer, docomomo US member Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Prín- on the process. cipe are portrayed in the exhibition Ilha de The won the Golden docomomo International congratulates all the Lyon with the exhibition Crow’s Eye View: the docomomo members participants. Special greetings São Jorge, occurring in Venice from June 6 to for Chile and Korea, for the achievement of the Silver’s July 6, 2014. The show curated by Beyond En- Korean Peninsula, which tries to establish a and Golden’s Lion, respectively.

09 Crow’s Eye View: the Korean Peninsula, Republic of Korea Pavillion, Giardini. © Margarida Quintã, 2014.

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priate forms of intervention. This initiative, La Cité du Lignon given its encouraging early results, introduces has been distinguished with the a conservation tool which can be applied to a great range of buildings from all periods. Europa Nostra and SIA Awards Recently the research La Cité du Lignon (1963–1971). Étude Architecturale et Stratégies d´Intervention has been also distinguished with the SIA (Société Suisse des Ingénieurs et des The Re-Use research on the Housing Com- ness of the conclusions of this research left Architectes) Award. The JURY stated that “the plex of Lignon (Switzerland, Geneva) has out an award beyond doubt. “The Cité du strategies for the improvement of the Cité du been awarded with the Europa Nostra Prize Lignon near Geneva (1963–1971) is the most Lignon striking in their pragmatism, their tar- for Research in 2013. The project, published ambitious and large-scale of all housing geting objectives and interdisciplinary roots. in docomomo Journal 44 (2011/1), has projects in Switzerland. Its heritage value was Through a concerted commitment involving been developed by the EPFL’s Laboratory recognized in 2009 by the adoption of a site authorities and owners over the long term, of Techniques and Preservation of Modern plan, giving protection on an urban scale and the allegedly conflicting demands have been Architecture (TSAM), under the leadership of recommending the preservation of the whole optimally aligned and a series of housing Franz Graf and Giulia Marino, docomomo site and its remarkable outdoor areas. Faced have been already restored successfully. Re- Switzerland members. “The problem of ener- with new energy use regulations — a prior- spectful of cultural and architectural values ​​ gy efficiency affects all buildings and particu- ity in Switzerland — a reduction in energy of existing buildings, this approach represents larly social housing of the post-war period. consumption in the Cité was unavoidable. a valuable reference whose scope far exceeds The case becomes one of great significance Hoping to provide a framework for future the Swiss context, for a wider approach for when we consider the Cité du Lignon, which interventions, the research conducted by the the rehabilitation of large ensembles from the has been recognized, since its inception, as an TSAM laboratory between 2008 and 2011 had 1960s and 70s”. icon of modern architecture, and therefore a twofold objective: conservation of the ex- of international interest. The challenge is the isting fabric and at the same time a reduction Sources 50 - 2014/1 need to introduce new materials for comfort in fuel consumption. In the wider context of http://www.sia.ch/fr/actuel/regards/distinc- and insulation into structures designed from the energy consumption problem throughout tions/strategies-dintervention-pour-la-cite-du- lignon/ the start as streamlined and minimalist. The the canton of Geneva, this pilot research has http://www.europanostra.org/awards/113/ Jury was fascinated by the problem when been the means to develop an evaluation docomomo http://tsam.epfl.ch/ applied to this particular site. The rigor of the method, embodying several different relevant methodology and the exemplary thorough- criteria, which could define the most appro- News

01 © Claudio Merlini.

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the traffic noise. Given the limited budgets The School Building “The Ship” for educational facilities, a climate control has been distinguished system had to be developed without using mechanical cooling. As far as possible, the with the 2013 Brinkgreve Award physical features of the building have been used to enhance the indoor climate, for instance by making good use of the heat- absorbing capacity of the concrete structure. The School building “The Ship” in Amster- inspired by the Unité d’Habitation of Le Fresh air is blown into the class rooms. To dam, rehabilitated by Wessel de Jonge - Corbusier. Partly because of the expressive avoid an excessive amount of ventilation Architecten BNA BV, won the annual Brink- structure of exposed concrete it has been ducts in the building, the corridors and stair greve Award for the best adaptive re-use & designated as a national landmark in 2009. cases are used as abduction ‘channels’. The restoration project in Amsterdam of 2013. The concrete, which had been partly painted Cygnus Grammar School is now accom- The distinctive former First Technical in the 1990s, was fully cleaned and care- modated in a relatively sustainable building, School along one of Amsterdam’s main fully repaired, restoring the original texture while CO2 emissions are a greatly reduced. avenues has recently been fully restored and various natural colours of the material Last December 17, the project by Wessel and transformed into an up-to-date school surfaces. Great care was given to restore the de Jonge architects was awarded the “Brink- building for the Cygnus Grammar School. many art works that are integrated in the geve Bowl” as the best restoration and adap- The remarkable modernist’ structure, better concrete as bas-reliefs, as well as the original tive re-use project in Amsterdam of 2013. known as “The Ship”, has been adapted colour scheme of the interior. to current insights on education as well Bespoke insulation glazing is placed Revised translation by Wessel de Jonge, from: as to contemporary health requirements directly into the concrete rebates of the http://www.wesseldejonge.nl/cygnus.php according to recent governmental guide- fixed façade elements. The distinctive ‘brise lines to improve the ventilation of school soleil’, the screen façade of prefabricated, buildings. The government program as well mechanically compacted concrete elements, 50 - 2014/1 involves funding incentives and, as a result, was inspired by Mediterranean examples but many school buildings in Holland are now appeared in our climate as an inadequate upgraded in terms of climate control and shading device. The timber sliding windows sustainability. have been replaced with an improved sound docomomo The building was designed in 1952-1956 by insulation but natural ventilation by simply the architect JB Ingwersen and strongly opening them was no longer possible due to News

01 © Photo: Raoul Suermondt, The Hague

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a Keynote Speaker. Mr. Maki has shown his Docomomo International understanding of docomomo activities for discussing the Future of the long time, especially because of his apprecia- tion of the modernity of Kameki Tsuchiura Museum of Modern (1897–1996) house as his decision to become architect in his childhood. Art Kamakura Thirdly, she visited the ExhibitionUne Architecture Pour L’homme: Junzo Sakakura in by Junzo Sakakura Architectural Documents at the National Archives of Modern Architecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs as a first architectural archive in Japan, and she had a seminar lecture on the docomomo Chair Ana Tostões had stayed Ana appreciated their understanding of the Re-Use Modern Heritage for the docomomo in Tokyo from 20th to 23rd February 2014 on docomomo’s missions; furthermore, she Japan members, at the Conference Room the way to attend the scientific committee reconfirmed to promote any continuous in- of the Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall for the 13th docomomo International Con- vestigation of its historical outstanding values (1961) in Ueno, designed by Kunio Maekawa ference, in Seoul. There were three missions as modern masterpiece. (1905–1986), which is on the docomomo for her visit. After the discussion, she moved to Ka- Japan’s registration list. First of all, she met the Kanagawa makura to visit the site and to meet its direc- Her lecture showed us the case-study of the Prefecture representatives of Culture and tor, Mr. Mizusawa. Before the meeting, she Headquarters and Museum of the Calouste Education in order to confirm the conserva- looked around the Museum to take photos Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon of which tion and reuse of the Museum of Modern Art like a child. Because this building is one of especially she had committed to its conserva- Kamakura (1951, MoMA Kamakura) designed her favorites (which she used as the image tion and renovation work in explaining the by Junzo Sakakura (1901–1969) — See doco- of hers Christmas and New Year Card 2012). scientific data and definition of conservation momo Journal, 49 (2013/2) —, adding to it Their discussion about not only the museum

50 - 2014/1 of modern architecture. Furthermore, her the discussion with the director of the MoMA but also about artists and art history reflect work complied documentations of the build- Kamakura, Tsutomu Mizusawa, on the future upon their intellectual sympathy toward the ings and architects, that is to say, one of the of the museum. Modern Movement in art and architecture, ideal actions for docomomo, suggesting us Kanagawa Prefecture representatives developing the issue of living heritage and

docomomo to the future of the MoMA Kamakura. understood the revaluation of the MoMA the new museum in Seoul as the venue of the Kamakura as a master piece of modern 2014 Docomomo International Conference. Kenji Watanabe, architecture in Japan, however, they did not Secondly, she visited the architectural office docomomo Japan Coordinator declare to conserve it but they promised to of the Japanese prestigious modern architect, decide some kind of directions including Fumihiko Maki (1928–), to show her grati- any possibility of conservation and main- tude for his acceptance to be present at the taining this masterpiece by the end of 2014. 13th docomomo International Conference as © Photos by docomomo Japan, 2014. Heritage in Danger

01 Meeting with the Kanagawa Prefecture.

86 02 docomomo International Chair at the MoMa Kamakura, Mr. Mizusawa. 50 - 2014/1 docomomo

03 Meeting with Professor Fumihiko Maki. 04 Exhibition Une Architecture Pour L’homme: Junzo Sakakura in Architectural Documents,

National Archives of Modern Architecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs. Heritage in Danger

05 Seminar lecture on the Re-Use Modern Heritage by docomomo International Chair, Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall.

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