This project continues the debate on the identity of architecture in Europe that began at the 2014 Biennale di Venezia. It reflects a broad, varied panorama, bringing together the views of several architects on a tour of 16 cities, from London to Lisbon, from Bucharest to Trondheim.
This is an open debate around a question that is not looking for a single answer but rather an ongoing reflection that will help us to understand what Europe is, what distinguishes us, what unites us and what makes us different.
It shows a broad palette of visions from each architect’s perspective, through their experience as teachers, researchers and practising professionals in and outside Europe.
These different ways of understanding architecture, location, traditions and technology build up a map of visions.
The architects are asked whether there is a European identity, what qualities stand out in their locality as a European city, and also what values they think should be reflected in the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award.
All of them have been involved in the Prize as nominees, finalists, winners or emerging architects, but most importantly, they all have a vision of Europe that reveals a Europe with a huge diversity of cultures, languages, techniques and artistic and architectural expression. They show that our identity is a sum of identities, and that much of our enormous wealth resides precisely in our respect for differences.
The value of the public realm, of harmonious coexistence, of acknowledgement of the local perspective, the connection with what already exists, the city and its layers of history, etc. are transmitted through the images and opinions of the interviewed architects. This is where we can find our common values.
Bjarke Ingels. BIG Bjarke Ingels Group
Andreas G. Gjertsen and Yashar Hanstad. TYIN tegnestue Architects
Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald. 6a architects
Hervé Potin. Guineé Potin Architectes
Ricardo Bak Gordon Arquitectos. Bak Gordon Arquitectos
María Langarita. Langarita-Navarro studio
Bet Capdeferro y Ramon Bolsch. Bosch.Capdeferro Arquitectures
Cino Zucchi Architetti studio. Cino Zucchi Architetti
KAAN Architecten studio. KAAN Architecten
Kamiel Klaasse. NL Architects
Jürgen Mayer H. J.MAYER H. und Partner. Architekten
Siiri Vallner and Indrek Peil. Kavakava arhitktuuribüroo.
Anssi Lassila. OOPEAA. OFFICE FOR PERIPHERAL ARCHITECTURE.
Andrei Şerbescu, Adrian Untaru and Bogdan Brădățeanu. ADN Birou de Arhitectura.
Rok Oman, Spela Videcnik. OFIS arhitekti
Fabrizio Barozzi and Alberto Veiga. Barozzi / Veiga