After successful completion of the course, students are able to...

... formulate and discuss questions and theses through dealing with queer-feminist theory. Building on this, students will be able to work on research topics involving existing urban structures and respond to them with architectural proposals, which you will present and discuss in drawings, images, models and essays.

Summary

Based on the examination of tabooed spaces in the city, theses are developed that allow marginalised socio-spatial aspects to be included in design planning. Therefore, questions are posed to the existing urban space, which derive from the engagement with queer-feminist theory.

"Just as queer politics and intersectional feminism aim to dismantle systems of oppression and the patriarchy, a queer architecture must also dismantle historic systems of oppression within architecture, namely the act of designing and building as a tool of dominance over marginalized peoples.” (Éloïse Choquette 2020)

Tabooed City - Queerfeminist Learning from Heritage deals with actively forgotten spaces in Vienna that remain silent and socially a taboo due to patriarchal power structures. To this end, we are approaching the Wiener Gürtel in order to explore it on different scales and at various time layers. In search of tabooed spaces, we will explore the role of gender in these processes of marginalisation and how queer-feminist perspectives can help to change the way we perceive such places and how we can approach them as part of a planning process. After all, the politics of space is always sexualised (Colomina 1992).

"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House." (Audre Lorde 1984)

By engaging with queer-feminist perspectives, the course aims to develop new tools that allow alternatives to the traditional methods used in the canon.

The course is part of a cooperation between different research departments. The collaborative research project is run in collaboration with Sophie Stackmann (251.883 Wahlseminar Denkmal + Stadt) and Theresa Knosp and Thomas Moser 251.872 Wahlseminar Titel Kunstgeschichte). A forum for discussions and workshops will be held on several dates. This will take place within the regular times of the course (Tuesday 1 – 6 pm).

Essential writings by queer-feminist theorists form the basis of the spatial research. Historical and contemporary texts are read for this purpose. While the design students will develop conceptual approaches for their design task, the students of the Wahlseminar will approach the topic on a theoretical level through engagement with the same theories. The Forum enables discussions and workshops on the topic. These are exhibited and presented at a final event. Four compulsory evening events (Wednesdays 18:00) - lectures and a round table - are currently being planned.

The events will be held in German, although English can be used if needed. Some of the texts will be provided in English, as will some of the lectures.

KICK-OFF:       8.10.2024 13:00 – 14:30 Uhr Raumlabor

weekly meetings:    tuesday 1 pm – app 6 pm in Raumlabor or PR 4
Workshop 1:                         15.10.24 Raumlabor
City walk:                              22.10.24
Textpresentation:                  29.10.24
midterm crit:                          10.12.24 in Raumlabor

Workshop 2:                         17.12.24

Workshop 3:                         14.01.25
Finissage/final presenttion:  28.01.25 in Raumlabor

Lectures:  22.1.2025 18:30 Silke Langenbach               

planned lectures wednesdays at 18:30:  beginning of Nov
                                                                 end Nov
                                                                 mid Dec

An analysis of predefined texts, site-specific research on previously discussed topics and a planned, written and/or graphical realisation of a concept and design are required.
The project must be presented in text analyses, floor plans, sections, facade views and project-specific details. At least one elaborate drawings (axonometry, sectional perspective or similar) and at least two models (overview model and sectional model, scales are defined according to the project) are required.

Courses with an immanent examination component require active participation in the weekly meetings. Attendance is compulsory for meetings and presentations. Subtasks are documented in steps in the RG-Share. The submission of the design is planned as an analog presentation. A comprehensive presentation of the project in plans, models and the documentation of the project in analog and digital form in RG-Share as well as participation in publications and exhibitions is expected.

Due to the specific conception and the progressive organization and nature of the design work, the partial performances of this course are exempt from the possibility of being repeated.