Contemporary Architecture and Ceramics: Sustainability

The presence of ceramics in contemporary architecture has not been particularly noteworthy, but in the past 20 years, there has been a significant resurgence, with interesting achievements to be viewed and evaluated. This session will focus upon how architecture and ceramics currently interact, opening up unexpected possibilities to contemporary ceramists and specifically on how to integrate their creativity in the architectural world. Perhaps this avenue of expression might be an alternative means of influence and ownership as opposed to creating “signature” work.

A rapprochement between the two worlds is necessary, as we suspect that architects are often unaware that ceramics may be a good solution to many of the problems posed in their buildings, given the excellent properties of ceramics, such as thermal insulation, durability, impermeability and, of course, an aesthetic that cannot be achieved with other materials.

In this session we want to mention the courageous commitment of many architects to ceramics, such as Renzo Piano, Alejandro Zaera (Spanish Pavilion at the World Expo in Aichi, Japan), Nieto Sobejano (Zaragoza Conference Centre), Patxi Mangado (Spanish Pavilion at Expo Zaragoza 2004), Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue (Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona).

09:00 
Panel and Discussion Topic: “Contemporary Architecture and Ceramics: Sustainability” opening by the speakers.      

10:30 
Pause – coffee break

11:00
Papers

13:00
Lunch in the foyer of the conference room

Speakers:

Sofia Tjernström,
Urban planner, architect and ceramist

Jacques Kaufmann,
ceramist who worked on “sustainable bricks”, member of the World Association of Brick Artists (WABA) and president of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC)

David Tapias Monné – Aixopluc architectes,
a group of young architects with a coherent and radical vision on sustainability.

Moderator:

Jesús Àngel Prieto,
Professor of Escola Massana Design and Crafts Center in Barcelona

Papers presented by:

I Chi Hsu
“ The Brick architecture of FLICAM”

Robert Harrison
“Sustenaible ceramics ?”

Ramon Vicente Diaz del Campo
“La cerámica en la obra de Miguel Fisac. De lo artesanal a la modernidad”

Hanna Novotna
“The current role of ceramic and porcelain in the contemporary modern Czech architecture and public space; its potential, trends and future visions of possible interactions”