batra

2015

Memory and communication

This year’s topic for Transylvania Biennial of Architecture was chosen as an answer to the social-professional dialogue generated by more or less controlled site developments, that are more or less aggressive towards urban and rural areas. The social responsibility of the architect, which is assumed through his interventions is often neglected and is never a part of the design theme.

Every architectural object which is a direct response to a functional demand, has memory as an implicit liaison. Whether we are talking about housing, public services, urban spaces, or a simple object, architecture is full of meaning, traditions, rituals, and social, economic and cultural details. This is inevitable. The architect has the choice to choose to what extend he will take them forward, deny, highlight, or suppress them.

Beyond it’s functionality, architecture is an encrypted information carrier, information that is communicated by the architect and the society. In what way is this art able to communicate, express and convey messages, and build lives the way it once did? To what extent are we able to take upon this step? Communicating through architecture is an exercise that we can once again master, as a society. Getting in touch with those values that have once taught us architecture, is not only a great chance, but an undeniable obligation. We live architecture, and this is what makes it an extraordinary tool for education and training, over time.

Memory is what makes the connection between architecture and the past. Communication links it to the future.We are waiting for you to join us to this year’s edition of Transylvania Biennial of Architecture.

Interview I of Håkon Iversen, Actual of Cluj.ro