reklam

Introduction
The BNA (Royal Institute of Dutch Architects) , as a member of the board of the UIA (Union Internationale des Architectes) Region 1 (Western Europe) and the Berlage Institute will work together in organizing a master class for young Western-European architects, to take place in the period of 22 – 28 August, 2004. This master class will focus on a limited number of talented designers (maximum 32) aged 35 and under, to be nominated by the professional association ( UIA members and Europan) and will be selected, on the basis of submitted portfolios, by a committee chaired by Kees Christiaanse.

The UIA is a platform for the exchange of knowledge and international co-operation for architects worldwide. In the European Region 1 (Western Europe) architects will meet from the following countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta and Switzerland. The board of Region 1 has asked the BNA to organize a workshop/summer school where young professionals can work together. The BNA will carry out this plan in co-operation with the Berlage Institute, which has a well-developed professional network and has experience in organizing international workshops. The parties involved will dedicate themselves whole-heartedly to this ambitious project. In principle, if successful, the format of this workshop would be suitable for repetition.

Berlage Institute
The Berlage Institute operates an international postgraduate program in the field of architecture and urbanism. Participants are all qualified designers (architects, urbanists and landscape architects) of international origin. The institute’s profile has a clear emphasis on being a ‘laboratory of progressive design research.’ 

Task
The task consists of developing and testing different typologies of building within the urban plan Science Park in the Watergraafsmeer in Amsterdam. The Science Park will be the large, new expansion of the University of Amsterdam and the Dutch Institute for Scientific Research. Highly-qualified enterprises associated with scientific research will make the Science Park into an important center for knowledge industries. Furthermore, dwellings, facilities, a hotel and a railway station are planned for the area. 

The development of the Science Park will consist not of single buildings placed as objects within the field, but rather will form a hybrid of public and semi-public interiors, surrounded by buildings. To realize such an ambition there is a need for inspiring studies into building types breaking new grounds. A large communal model will be built for the master class, in which the different building studies can be researched in relationship to one another. The studies will be documented and used as reference material for future building tasks in the area.

Design
The core purpose of the master class is to work, under the guidance of experts, towards the solution of real design problems; the results will be published. It is an inspiring exercise, in which a critical analysis of the phrasing of the question and teamwork will be central. Participants will become familiar with the Dutch situation, will come into contact with Dutch colleagues, will hone their skills through the experts they meet, and will mutually build on their knowledge, skills and professional network. Publication of the work shop results will not only form a concrete contribution to the current discussion, but will also be an important impetus for participation.

Participants
Candidates are invited to apply to their national UIA Sections by submitting the following documents:
- CV stating education and employment history and date of birth (max. 2 A4’s),
- Portfolio of 3 A3 or 6 A4 (max.) printed pages
- Statement (max. 1 A 4) describing the motivation for applying to the master class.
Applications have to be sent within 1 July, 2004 to the following address:
Berlage Instituut
Francois Vos
PO BOX 21592
3001 AN Rotterdam
The Netherlands
(for further info in Italy: [email protected])

The UIA Sections will forward a number of selected participants to the Berlage Institute. The Berlage Institute and the BNA, in consultation with Prof. Christiaanse, will make the final selection. Europan will also be invited to select candidates. Fair participation by candidates from all Region I Sections will be sought, according to the
following division:
Malta: 1, Luxembourg: 1, Ireland: 1,
Belgium: 2, Portugal: 2, Netherlands: 2, Switzerland: 2,
Nordic Section: 3,
Italy: 4, UK: 4, Germany: 4, Spain: 4, France: 4.

Timetable
15 January, 2004: deadline for informing national UIA Sections by BNA/Berlage Institute
February/March/April, 2004: national sections make announcements
15 April, 2004: deadline for receiving the applications at the national UIA Sections
30 April, 2004: deadline for sending the files of the pre-selected candidates by the UIA Sections to the Berlage Institute – Postponed to 1 JULY, 2004

Fee
Participation fee will be € 800,= (excl. 19% VAT) per participant. The fee will be transferred to the Berlage Institute’s bank account. Participants will pay for their own travel- and living-costs. The Berlage Institute will assist in finding affordable accommodation.

Tutors
The master class will be directed by the supervisors of the Science Park: Kees Christiaanse, architect/urbanist and professor at the ETH in Zurich, and Bart Brands, landscape architect and designer of public spaces. Furthermore, a designer from the office of KCAP, a designer from the office of Karres & Brands and an assistant from the ETH Zurich will be involved in the supervision. In addition, local experts and representatives from the University of Amsterdam and the municipality/district will be involved in the master class.

For the lectures renowned Dutch architects will be invited who have, through their work, been involved in similar projects. The participants will work in 5 to 7 sub-groups, with the aim of optimizing production and interaction within the group.

For the final presentation (jury) invitations will go to:
Astrid Sanson (director of housing at the UvA), Arjen van Rijn (NWO), Hetty Vlug (assistantdirector Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Amsterdam), Herman Hertzberger, Rudy Uytenhaak and Roberto Meijer.

Coordination and logistics by Françoise Vos.
Moderator will be Vedran Mimica (assistantdean Berlage Institute)
Participants from the BNA: Rob Budding and Betsy Visser.

Publication
The publication will be produced and published by Episode publishers in Rotterdam.

Program
The program of the master class will be as follows:

Sunday 22 August registration of participants reception
Monday 23 August visit to location, introduction of the program, introduction of task(s) by guest tutors
Tuesday 24 August workshop under guidance of guest tutors, evening lecture
Wednesday 25 August workshop afternoon excursion (Amsterdam), workshop
Thursday 26 August workshop
Friday 27 August final presentations (public/press/media), party
Saturday 28 August post-conference tour (optional; payment required)