Climate & Architecture

In connection with the international climate summit COP15 in Copenhagen, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture’s Institute of Technology and Institute of Planning have joined forces with architect Philippe Rahm, researchers and students to bring into focus the role of architecture in the ongoing climate debate.

In the curator statement questions are asked about basic human needs and the climate challenges for the built environment. They conclude that the message is simple, but that hasn’t really dawned upon me yet. It seems like it is easier to write about it than to communicate it in a physical exhibition. Louisiana is currently seriously trying it with the exhibition “Green Architecture for the Future”, where Phillipe Rahm is also contributing. The text part of the Louisiana exhibition is so overwhelming that it takes 2 or 3 visits to digest it. This is not the case for “Climate & Architecture”. Al texts are found in a brochure and in the curator statement and in the big catalogue, that unfortunally can’t be purchased at the exhibition. That is really a shame.

I wander through it and feel like I need more information on what Rahm, Bessard, Beesley and all the others wants to tell me. It looks crisp, technically up to date, superaesthetic and minimal but it’s not catchy enough.

Charles Bessard has created a thought provoking piece, “The Resilient City” on what happens to Copenhagen when water levels rise. With this in mind, how hard can it be to figure out that we are in serious trouble?

“Saragossa Cloud” by CITA and Philip Beesley looks fantastic, but again, I feel like I’m not getting it. It looks and sounds like a futuristic coat hanger from space, that twists and grind as a living entity. I understand that it is about adaptive architecture that changes it physical appearance after its changing surroundings.

10 screens are showing the results of a student competition, “Sustainable Living”. Looks like a lot of interesting projects on the theme, but really, how are you supposed to read huge text blocks and study diagrams, when they flicker past your eyes like strobe light? It is way too fast and all information is lost. I really want to learn more on windturbine lightposts,climate induced landscape modeling and microhubs. But the slideshows are just flipping through, too fast.

The main piece by Phillip Rahm, “The New Olduvai Gorges” has clear references to his piece currently displayed at Louisiana. It is aesthetically beautiful, poetic and sensuous. It is clear that the human body is the ultimate reference for the 3 installations that investigates heat and light. It is simple and rather funny. Sit down on a black, naturally heated bench, eat some chilies while listening to loud techno. This will warm your body quite naturally.

I hope that the architect school will try to communicate their exhibition a bit clearer next time. It looks delicious and the academic level is high and it is good to come well read on the issues at hand.

The Exhibition is open weekdays 12-20 and weekends 14-20 and is located at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, Danneskiold-Samsøes Allé 51,at Holmen in Copenhagen. 

On weekdays at 16:00 and on weekends at 14:00, chef Daisuke Uki from Bento Restaurant & Cocktail Bar will visit the exhibition and carve fish. Free samples!

Read more on Climate & Architecture here.