Information


The GAUDI programme is supported by the Culture 2000 programme of the European Union.

A1: Identify and interpret innovative housing in Europe

Objectives

The creation of a network of houses to be open to the public displaying the state of the art in XXth Century architectural research and contemporary inventions in life styles and the use of space.

Nature of the action

Single-family homes and apartments in collective housing are not always perceived by the general public as being a part of heritage, as the inherent architectural quality of the overwhelming majority of these buildings is often of a low standard. In-depth knowledge and enhancement of exceptional built heritage contributes to sharpen critical faculties and serves to positively influence construction choices.

Each national partner of the European network will have the responsibility of drawing up a list of residences on the basis of common criteria as determined by a scientific committee (innovative architectural design, integration into surroundings, formal value, use of innovative materials, original spatial layout, etc.).

The role of the project will be to co-ordinate research performed in various European countries and to foster links between the many active associations and leading organisations of tourism which will contribute to the constitution of programmes of visits to be offered to the public.

The fact that the houses open to the public are in fact inhabited and not museums or monuments can at times be a source of obstacles which can nonetheless be solved thanks to measures adopted in the scope of this co-operation.

In addition to drawing up the list, some documentary research will be undertaken on this theme, which will subsequently be disseminated widely.

Proposed Audience

The didactic approach adopted must be an integral part of the project in order that its objectives may be reached. It will be necessary to go beyond the narrow focus of specialists, while at the same time maintaining total rigour, and avoiding falling victim to fashions but at the same time only conserving the buildings, adhering painstakingly to criteria of selection and proposing views of experimentation involving diverse architectural practices.

The general audience -individual visitors and interested citizens-, housing specialists, elected officials, students and tourism companies.

Products - expected results

The discovery of innovative houses will be facilitated either by virtual media or by private visits. The combined use of these two avenues will make it possible to offer a broader spectrum and to exponentially increase the amount of information disseminated.

Products will include a catalogue of innovative houses updated on a yearly basis and accessible through GAUDI's web site (see project C1).

Calendar

Year 1
Set up and convene the scientific council
Prepare the criteria for analysis
Draw up an inventory of organisations active in the field
Establish contact with institutions responsible for tourism

Year 2
Establish a repertory of selected houses
Hold the first international symposium on the subject
Publish a promotional brochure and a reference book
Draw up programmes of visits
Continue the meetings of the scientific committee

Year 3
Finish the repertory
Hold the second international symposium
Broaden the dissemination of literature
Build site in conjunction with the network’s main site
Continue meetings of Scientific Committee

Project leader:

Christophe Pourtois/CIVA (Centre International pour la ville et le paysage), Belgium

Members of the steering committee:

AZW (Architektur Zentrum Wien), Austria
DAC (Dansk Architektur Center), Denmark
MFA (Museum of Finnish Architecture), Finland
IFA (Institut Français d'Architecture), France

Projects fields

Overview - What is GAUDI?

A: Research, memory and project

A1: Identify and interpret innovative housing in Europe
A2: Merge and develop archival collections on architecture and urban development
A3: Workshops for young professionals
A4: Database on public spaces

B: Education and dissemination to the general public

B1: Citizen participation in urban development projects
B2: Club of Leaders committed to Architecture
B3: European Festival for Architecture

C: Strengthen the network of European institutions

C1: Create and develop a joint web site
C2: Coordination of the agreement