Punk Buildings

“Punk is unimaginable in London today.” — Mark Fisher

In Punk Buildings, we will have the opportunity to explore how architectural design can be employed as a form of political commentary. Engaged with the design process through civilised forms of dissent and disobedience, we will explore how architecture can become a manifestation of counterculture and an instrument for political activism. In a historic time marked by the increasing marginalisation of minorities and growing inequality, we will try to reclaim the almost-forgotten conviction that architecture, first and foremost, must attend to the basic needs of the most vulnerable groups. These groups are constituted of mi- grant, young, poor, indigenous, disabled, and LGBTI people, who are more likely to be affected by neoliberal politics, including measures of austerity and deregulation, as well as attitudes of bigotry, classism, and racism. So, how do we do this? First, we will read texts by people like Mark Fisher, Stefano Harney, Anna Minton, George Monbiot, and Fred Moten-to name but a few-in order to frame and unpack the studio’s primary objective.

Second, analysing examples of spatial injustice and inequality, we will discover the correlations that exist between neoliberal politics and the configuration of public and private space. Third, I will help you choose a spatial injustice instance of your specific interest, and address it through your own architectural design methods and processes. This studio will provide you with skills to respond to pressing questions, including, what is the role of disobedience in the practice of architecture? Additional questions include, can architecture become a manifestation of counterculture? Can architectural design serve as an instrument to raise awareness and stimulate public action? If so, what does our discipline become then? Punk Buildings is a Bachelor of Architecture Design studio offered by Dr Eduardo Kairuz, based on his ongoing investigation on crisis and its dislocating effects in architecture and the city.