EURAU18 Alicante: Retroactive Research: Congress Proceedings

Abstract

An interdisciplinary research of architecture is something that society demands from our profession. Furthermore, in many countries that are currently immersed in a recessive economic process, it is the only possible solution. In that context, it is urgent to clarify the scope of our projects: Those whose ultimate goal consists of going beyond the limits of other disciplines through the application of architecture. Starting with Architecture’s capacity to learn from other disciplines and to follow their guidelines and techniques, we will build and offer new specific tools. With these new tools, our research will provide the opportunity to challenge and expand the boundaries of those original disciplines. Traditionally, architecture supported itself by various branches of knowledge to advance its proposals: Economic Changes Social organizations Environmental Crisis and Natural Catastrophes Structural Knowledge Artistic Trends New Materials Technological Advances Political positions and Conflicts. While the resulting architectures are excellent examples of applying these areas of knowledge, our interest lies in the reverse process: how the discipline of architecture can cause changes in others. It is an applied research that extends its scope to a prior discourse that originated in the past. That is to say, becomes a Retroactive Research. In the end, the architectural project is an effective document that not only establishes a program but also defines the author as an entrepreneur, understanding this quality as a position that opens the door to different types of practices that architects can exercise: from running a professional architecture office, to teach, to do interior and furniture design, to write, to design digital scenarios, to work in social associations, to collaborate with research centres.