Grundlagen: Urban Elements
As part of the first year Course ‘Grundlagen der Geschichte und Theorie der Architektur I&II - 2023/2024’, the Chair of the History and Theory of Urban Design has invited students to explore the city of Zürich by looking at the variety of vitrines, including shopwindows and storefronts, that mediate between the public spaces on the one hand, and private enterprises and cultural venues on the other.
As an introduction to the field of history and theory of urban design, all first-year students investigate an urban element, and present it in the form of a diptych: an axonometric drawing and analytical text. This year the focus was on vitrines, glass-panelled cabinets or display cases. As part of shop windows and storefronts, these vitrines mediate between the public realm and commercial or cultural venues. They present consumer goods, objects of interest, exhibition artifacts and the like to passers-by, inscribing them in the urban setting. The vitrine is a characteristic element in the public space of the city, drawing the thin and often amorphous line between public and private realms, (re)presenting cultural, political, social, and commercial facets of city life.
Now on display in the foyer of the HIL building at ETH Hönggerberg until 27 September.
Tutors
Prof.dr. Tom Avermaete
dr. Hans Teerds
Luca Okay Can
Pierre Eichmeyer
Melanie Kofler
Mona Lecoultre
