the network architecture lab @
the columbia university
graduate school of architecture, planning, and preservation
News
Advice for Robert Dudley
With BP's appointment of Robert Dudley as chief executive office of BP, the Network Architecture Lab thought it appropriate to give him some advice for rebranding the company. Click here to see a project by Caren Faye, a student in "Evil," a studio that the Netlab ran in the fall of 2009. The syllabus and more information about the studio can be found here.
Everything's Gone Green by Caren Faye
Networked Publics Publish
The Network Architecture Lab and Domus announce Networked Publics: Publish, an open call for submissions to a new collaborative publication.
During the last fifteen years architecture and the media have been turned on their head as technologies of production and communication integrated into our daily lives. But instead of the delirious optimism of the last decade, we now also face panic and crisis. The media industry is in flux: as new media rise, old ones are victims of creative destruction. The tools of architectural production, meanwhile, have been thoroughly transformed; yet thanks to technological and legal innovations that made possible the securitization of buildings, architecture faces its greatest economic crisis since the Depression. If we can be certain of anything, it’s that as Karl Marx wrote, "all that is solid melts into air."
We invite brief submissions (under 1,500 words) addressing the consequences of these changes for the architectural community. What are the transformations taking place in the architectural profession, in architectural media, in criticism? How are these transformations interconnected? What do these mean to you? What do they mean to the future of architecture and cities?
We are keenly aware that it is the engagement with precisely these epochal transformations that will define the critical output of our generation, and that the legacy of the previous generation of critics and theorists is no longer able to deliver the kind of thinking necessary to help us address and catalyze these conditions. This publication is intended as forum for debate through which the accepted understanding of the word 'publication' itself can be challenged, redefined, dismantled and rebuilt. It will polemically frame our context, but it will also constitute a toolbox of ideas that outlines an agenda for criticism in network culture.
Domus, one of the earliest and historically most influential architecture magazines, sets itself as a case study for debate around the role of printed magazines in the contemporary era. If the magazine is no longer spontaneously embraced as a locus for debate, should the permanence of printed matter induce it to serve as a historical register for ideas developed elsewhere, e.g. on the Web (the magazine understood as an archive-in-progress of excellence)? Or, conversely, should it pursue agility, hybridizing across platforms? Does the notion of architectural criticism, understood in conventional terms, bear any relevance today? What forces designate the formal and conceptual frameworks of contemporary built architecture?
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Everyone who submitted to the publication should finish their piece and post it online, tagging it #netdomus and sending an e-mail to us (use the contact form on the left) to let me know that they've done so. Anyone interested in submitting who hasn't submitted yet should do the same.
Think of this as a newspaper or news magazine and conceive of appropriate sections, for example, sports, business, domestic, national, and international news, business, politics, weather, interviews, op-ed, entertainment, literature, society, tourism, automobiles, style, cooking, health, home decoration, real estate, family, and so on. All the while, keep in mind the original context of networked publics, which is outlined here.
One thing everyone should keep in mind is to write for a general readership. In other words, if you're going to employ theory, don't assume that anybody knows it. Explain it!
Final submissions are due on the 30h of July. That's a long way away in newspaper or magazine time. I encourage you to post your piece earlier as doing so will prevent you from being caught in the maelstrom of posts that we expect on the 30th (we had over 30 submissions to the first round). Once posted, all of these will be aggregated at the Netlab Web site. We will select from this list for work to publish on the Domus site and we have other plans too which we will announce later in the summer.
The original call is below (note that the dates are now superceeded):
There are three ways to submit.
The first way is to send in an abstract by 12 noon, EST June 24 pitching an article on the topic. This should be one brief paragraph on what you would like to write about although if you are inspired enough to submit your entry in full, you may also do so at this time.
An editorial team will meet to review submissions and send feedback to contributors on the 24th. At this meeting we will also discuss the gaps in the publication and post a call for submissions that specifically address such topics. A second way to submit an article is to respond to this call. Abstracts for projects responding to the call for submissions are due on July 2.
Final work for both submission tracks will be due on July 15.
A third way to submit is to join a conversation over the Internet by tagging a blog or twitter post #netdomus.
The publication will be available for free download at Domus's Web site. A launch event will be held at Columbia's Studio-X at the end of the summer but this conversation—and publication—will continue for some time to come.
Contributors may find potential references in Networked Publics, a book published by MIT Press in 2008 and produced in collaboration with the University of Southern California's Annenberg Center for Communication to examine how the social and cultural shifts centering around new technologies have transformed our relationships to (and definitions of) place, culture, politics, and infrastructure. This spring, the Netlab hosted “Discussions on Networked Publics” at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation's Studio-X Soho facility, exploring the ramifications of these changes to architecture and cities through a set of four panels—culture, place, politics, and infrastructure. Discussions were recorded and are available here.
Please submit your proposals here.
Netpublics Video: Infrastructure Discussion @ Studio-X
The Network Architecture Lab continues “Discussions on Networked Publics,” a series of panels examining how technology and social changes are transforming the public realm, held at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation's Studio-X Soho Facility with a panel on "infrastructure" that took place on May 4 at 6:30pm.
The panelists are: David Benjamin (GSAPP, Living Architecture Lab), Frank Pasquale (School of Law, Seton Hall), Molly Wright Steenson (Princeton University, Girlwonder blog), Mason C. White (University of Toronto, Lateral Office).
Kazys Varnelis, director of GSAPP's Network Architecture Lab moderated.
"Discussions on Networked Publics" extends the analysis of contemporary culture in the book Networked Publics, published in 2008 by the MIT Press and edited by Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis. More on the book at networkedpublics.org.
Netlab Lecture in CAC, Vilnius, Lithuania. 27 May
Director Kazys Varnelis will be speaking at the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania on Thursday 27 May at 6pm on three years of work at the Network Architecture Lab.
Contemporary Art Centre
Vokieciu 2, LT - 01130, Vilnius
tel: +3705 2121954, fax: +3705 2623954
email: info@cac.lt // www.cac.lt
Discussions on Networked Publics: Infrastructure, 5/04/2010
The Network Architecture Lab continues “Discussions on Networked Publics,” a series of panels examining how technology and social changes are transforming the public realm, held at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation's [GSAPP's] Studio-X Soho Facility, 180 Varick Street, Suite 1610, New York City.
The fourth panel, on "infrastructure" will occur on May 4 at 6:30 pm.
The panelists are:
David Benjamin (GSAPP, Living Architecture Lab)
Frank Pasquale (School of Law, Seton Hall)
Molly Wright Steenson (Princeton University, Girlwonder blog)
Mason C. White (University of Toronto, Lateral Office)
Kazys Varnelis, director of GSAPP's Network Architecture Lab will moderate.
"Discussions on Networked Publics" extends the analysis of contemporary culture in the book Networked Publics, published in 2008 by the MIT Press and edited by Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis. More on the book at http://networkedpublics.org. Copies of the book will be for sale at the event.
The event will be broadcast live worldwide via ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/discussions-on-network-publics
Viewers who can't make it in person are encouraged to submit questions and comments live during the show to @Columbia_Netlab on Twitter.
Video from the event will be archived on Vimeo and iTunes.
Discussions on Networked Publics Series
Panel 1. Culture (archive)
9 February, 6.30
featuring: Michael Kubo, Michael Meredith, Will Prince, Enrique Ramirez, David Reinfurt, and Mimi Zeiger
Panel 2. Place
25 March, 6.30
featuring: Amanda McDonald Crowley, Douglas Gauthier, Christina Ray, Mark Shepard, Kevin Slavin, and Tim Ventimiglia
Panel 3. Politics
13 April, 6.30
featuring: Stephen Graham, Deborah Natsios, Enrique Ramirez
Panel 4. Infrastructure
4 May, 6.30
featuring: David Benjamin, Frank Pasquale, Molly Wright Steenson, Mason White
Free and open to the public
RSVP: gdb2106@columbia.edu
Events begin at 6:30 unless otherwise noted.
Studio-X New York
180 Varick Street, Suite 1610
1 train to Houston Street
[Studio-X is a downtown studio for experimental design and research run by the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation of Columbia University.]
Sponsored in part by the MIT Press
Netpublics Video: Politics Discussion @ Studio-X
The Network Architecture Lab continues “Discussions on Networked Publics,” a series of panels examining how technology and social changes are transforming the public realm, held at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation's Studio-X Soho Facility with a panel on "politics" that took place on April 13 at 6:30pm.
Our special guest was Stephen Graham who spoke about his new book, Cities Under Siege, published by Verso. Our other panelists were Deborah Natsios (Natsios/Young Architects and Cryptome.org) and Enrique Ramirez (Princeton University, Aggregat 456). Kazys Varnelis, director of the Network Architecture Lab moderated.
"Discussions on Networked Publics" extends the analysis of contemporary culture in the book Networked Publics, published in 2008 by the MIT Press and edited by Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis. More on the book at networkedpublics.org.
Discussions on Networked Publics: Politics, 4/13/2010
The Network Architecture Lab continues “Discussions on Networked Publics,” a series of panels examining how technology and social changes are transforming the public realm, held at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation's [GSAPP's] Studio-X Soho Facility, 180 Varick Street, Suite 1610, New York City.
The third panel, on "politics" will take place on April 13 at 6:30 pm.
Our special guest is Stephen Graham. This is the New York book launch for his book Cities Under Siege, published by Verso.
The panelists are:
Stephen Graham (University of Durham, UK)
Deborah Natsios (Natsios/Young Architects and Cryptome.org)
Enrique Ramirez (Princeton University, Aggregat 456)
Kazys Varnelis, director of GSAPP's Network Architecture Lab will moderate.
"Discussions on Networked Publics" extends the analysis of contemporary culture in the book Networked Publics, published in 2008 by the MIT Press and edited by Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis. More on the book at http://networkedpublics.org. Copies of both Cities Under Siege and Networked Publics will be for sale at the event.
The event will be broadcast live worldwide via ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/discussions-on-network-publics
Viewers who can't make it in person are encouraged to submit questions and comments live during the show to @Columbia_Netlab on Twitter.
Video from the event will be archived on Vimeo and iTunes.
Discussions on Networked Publics Series
Panel 1. Culture (archive)
9 February, 6.30
featuring: Michael Kubo, Michael Meredith, Will Prince, Enrique Ramirez, David Reinfurt,
and Mimi Zeiger
Panel 2. Place (archive)
25 March, 6.30
featuring: Amanda McDonald Crowley, Douglas Gauthier, Christina Ray, Mark Shepard,
Kevin Slavin, and Tim Ventimiglia
Panel 3. Politics
13 April, 6.30
featuring special guest Stephen Graham, Deborah Natsios, and Enrique Ramirez
Panel 4. Infrastructure
4 May, 6.30
Free and open to the public
RSVP: info@networkarchitecturelab.org
Events begin at 6:30 unless otherwise noted.
Studio-X New York
180 Varick Street, Suite 1610
1 train to Houston Street
[Studio-X is a downtown studio for experimental design and research run by the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation of Columbia University.]
Sponsored in part by Verso Books
Netpublics Video: Place Discussion @ Studio-X
Amanda McDonald Crowley, Douglas Gauthier, Christina Ray, Mark Shepard, Robert Sumrell, and Tim Ventimiglia discuss place in network culture with Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis in the first of a series of talks at Columbia University's Studio-X research facility. Originally held on 2 February 2010
The pamphlet that the Netlab created for the talk, featuring an article by Kazys Varnelis and an interview with Hans Ibelings, the author of Supermodernism: Architecture in the Age of Globalization is available for download here.
Discussions on Networked Publics: Place, 3/25/2010
The Network Architecture Lab continues “Discussions on Networked Publics,” a series of panels examining how technology and social changes are transforming the public realm, held at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation's [GSAPP's] Studio-X Soho Facility, 180 Varick Street, Suite 1610, New York City.
The second panel, on "place" will occur on March 25 at 6:30 pm.
The panelists are:
Amanda McDonald Crowley (Executive Directory of Eyebeam Art + Technology Center)
Douglas Gauthier (GSAPP faculty, architect and principal of Gauthier Associates)
Christina Ray (artist, curator, co-founder of Conflux Festival)
Mark Shepard (Buffalo University faculty, architect, artist, curator)
Tim Ventimiglia (architect and museum designer, associate at Ralph Applebaum Associates)
Kazys Varnelis, director of GSAPP's Network Architecture Lab will moderate.
"Discussions on Networked Publics" extends the analysis of contemporary culture in the book Networked Publics, published in 2008 by the MIT Press and edited by Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis. More on the book at http://networkedpublics.org. Copies of the book will be for sale at the event.
The event will be broadcast live worldwide via ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/discussions-on-network-publics
Viewers who can't make it in person are encouraged to submit questions and comments live during the show to @Columbia_Netlab on Twitter.
Video from the event will be archived on Vimeo and iTunes.
Discussions on Networked Publics Series
Panel 1. Culture (archive)
9 February, 6.30
featuring: Michael Kubo, Michael Meredith, Will Prince, Enrique Ramirez, David Reinfurt, and Mimi Zeiger
Panel 2. Place
25 March, 6.30
featuring: Amanda McDonald Crowley, Douglas Gauthier, Christina Ray, Mark Shepard, Kevin Slavin, and Tim Ventimiglia
Panel 3. Politics
13 April, 6.30
featuring special guest Stephen Graham
Panel 4. Infrastructure
4 May, 6.30
Free and open to the public
RSVP: gdb2106@columbia.edu
Events begin at 6:30 unless otherwise noted.
Studio-X New York
180 Varick Street, Suite 1610
1 train to Houston Street
[Studio-X is a downtown studio for experimental design and research run by the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation of Columbia University.]
Sponsored in part by the MIT Press
The Future of Urbanism
Netlab Director Kazys Varnelis will deliver a lecture on "Networked Ecologies" in the Future of Urbanism Conference on Saturday March 20, 2010 at the University of Michigan A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Find out more and register here.