Monthly Archives: October 2013

Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined

29 March 2014
London

Royal Academy of Arts

The exhibition Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined (25 January – 6 April 2014) challenges the assumed primacy of the visual in architecture through presenting seven immersive installations designed to resonate with the senses on a variety of levels. This symposium seeks to unpick and develop the ideas, issues, implications and assumptions the exhibition poses.

We ask for papers from a range of fields and disciplines exploring how a consideration of the experience of architecture (broadly understood) can enrich and develop its practice and analysis, as well as its theory and history. How can a space make us feel? What are the nature and mechanics of architectural experience? How can the different registers of ideas – philosophical, psychological, social, and economic – that shape our experience of architecture be reconciled or differentiated, challenged or reinforced? We invite submissions from researches and practitioners, both established or emerging.

Possible topics include, though need not be confined to, the following:

The psychology of space, colour and form

  • Queer space(s)
  • Corporeality and effect on the body of spatial or architectural experience
  • The role of gender in spatial experience
  • How the concept of ‘experience’ has evolved in the history of ideas
  • Analytical methodologies examining responses to certain spaces or types of space
  • Function as an influence on sensation
  • Episodes or moments in the history of architecture during which the primacy of experience was invoked – for example, spiritual or religious spaces
  • Interventions from practitioners (architects, designers or artists) seeking to engage with architectural experience in innovative ways or whose work examines ideas related to the senses
  • Artists who seek to enhance or subvert the sensory aspects of a building or space

Please submit an abstract of 250 words plus a one-page CV outlining any institutional affiliation by 16 December 2013.

Further details: LINK

AAG Annual Meeting – Retail aspects in Urban Geography and Urban Planning

8-12 April 2014
Tampa, Florida

Special Session 

Organiser: Dr Herman Kok MRE (Multi)

The relationships between retail development and urban development in contemporary cities remain under-researched in the academic and policy literature. While there is a lot of research and literature on urban planning and urban development, and also significant literature on retail trends and expansion, there is a limited amount of research and literature combining the two. This while retail developments are often a complex and emotional element in urban planning decisions, and retail development often shapes planning policies which in their turn affect retail development. Cities as places of consumption are increasingly competing to each other, and the position of retail, gastronomy and leisure integrated in market and meeting places plays a crucial role.

In many cases, retail as driver of meeting places and community centers, is an important trigger for urban revitalization, both from a functional point of view and a feasibility point of view. If well positioned and conceptualized, retail, gastronomy, and leisure can be an asset that can inspire innovation and creativity; create cities that are more liveable and harmonious; and make cities more competitive. On the other hand, retail development without vision and planning guidelines can pose significant challenges for the quality and functioning of cities, and can impact existing trade and social structures. At present, retail plays a limited role in academic discussions in urban geography and planning.

This session aims to bring together scholars from a variety of contexts who are working on these themes connected to retail in different parts of the world. The organizer himself is professional and scholar involved in urban geography and retail real estate. We expect to include not only theoretical and conceptual papers but also comparative case studies that show how policy-makers and planners are approaching retail and leisure in urban development and revitalization. Papers that examine the impacts of policy and planning on the function of cities as places of consumption are also welcomed.

Potential topics and themes of interest might include, but are not limited to:

· Case studies that examine conceptualisations of retail in urban geography and urban planning;
· Studies that look into the role of retail and leisure in urban development and urban revitalization;
· New theoretical approaches to retail geography and retail planning;
· Empirical and/or comparative studies that tackle diverse aspects of cities as places of consumption;
· Papers that look into diversity in urban planning and spatial policy with regard to retail development.

Expressions of interest should be sent to Herman Kok (hkok@multi.eu) in the form of a 200-250 word abstract by November 15th, 2013. We will finalise the sessions and inform all respondents of the outcome by November 18th 2013. Please note that December 3, 2013 is the AAG-deadline for abstracts, sessions, and early bird registrations.

http://www.aag.org/cs/annualmeeting

IfA2014: Call for papers

The theme for the 2014 conference is Research in practice. Our conference theme will examine the concept of research across current archaeological practice, as well as highlighting how archaeologists contribute new knowledge to a wider understanding of the human past. The conference hopes to question how research practice has developed and to face the challenges often posed to heritage professionals regarding value, quality, dissemination and accessibility.

Our Call for papers is up and running, and potential speakers can now propose papers

Further details: LINK

Chomsky on the Built Environment

Following on from our publication of the first comments on the built environment by Noam Chomsky, the journal Architecture_MPS (Media, Politics, Society) ISSN 2050-9006, is seeking articles that take on the themes set down in different directions.

These themes of the journal revolve around the relationship of architecture(s) with the politico-media-complex. Areas of interest include (but are not restricted to): Architecture, landscape design, urbanism, critical studies, human geography, media studies, design.

Previous authors have included: Kenneth Frampton and Daniel Libeskind but has also included a number of early careers researchers.

Our advisory board is composed of academics from 20 countries including Prof. Murray Fraser, Vice Dean of Research, Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL; Prof. Michael Sorkin, Distinguished Professor of Architecture / Director of Urban Design. Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, City University of New York. (CUNY); Prof. Alberto Pérez-Gómez. Saidye Rosner Bronfman Professor, History and Theory of Architecture. McGill University, Canada.

The journal is published monthly on-line and has a two yearly print version. It is indexed with all the main databases including Avery Index, EBSCO, ProQuest, Ulrichsweb etc.

Further details and for queries see:  http://architecturemps.com