kruh autumn 2014: Andrea Deplazes + Joseph Schwartz

After the successful spring cycle of lectures, the association KRUH continues to reflect on current trends in Swiss architecture - long one of the most inspiring architectures in Europe - and in collaboration with the prestigious Faculty of Architecture at ETH Zurich, presents another lecture evening from the series “Swiss-Czech Inspirations”, supported by the Swiss-Czech Cooperation Program within the Partnership Fund.

At the second double lecture of the autumn cycle, the award-winning Swiss architect ANDREA DEPLAZES and the renowned structural engineer JOSEPH SCHWARTZ will present.

6/11/2014 (19:30, Kino Světozor, Vodičkova 41, Prague 1)
ANDREA DEPLAZES / New works by Bearth & Deplazes Architects
JOSEPH SCHWARTZ / Visualizing internal forces in structural design

Award-winning architect ANDREA DEPLAZES, professor of architecture and construction at ETH Zurich, is among other things the author of the recognized "bible" of architects on building construction (Architektur konstruieren. Vom Rohmaterial zum Bauwerk. Ein Handbuch). Andrea Deplazes earned his degree in 1988 at ETH Zurich and that same year co-founded his own architectural studio Bearth & Deplazes with Valentin Bearth. For Deplazes, architecture is an interplay of planning and practice. He believes it should be free from dogmas and individual handwriting, viewing it as a series of possibilities and challenges. Together with his students, he designed the Monte Rosa hut in the Swiss Alps - a unique center for technological innovations and a shelter for climbers in one. The building, nicknamed "mountain crystal," is located at an altitude of 2883 meters. It is not accessible by car or cable car, so only the most devoted fans of contemporary architecture will see it. Deplazes is also known for his unconventional house designs using various materials, from wooden structures to concrete new builds.

JOSEPH SCHWARTZ is a structural engineer and professor of structural design at ETH Zurich. He assists significant architects in realizing their visions. He works, for example, with Christian Kerez, who presented at KRUH's March lecture in a packed hall of 700 people. He has contributed to many of Kerez's projects, such as Kerez's "House with One Wall" in Zurich (2007). In the author's lecture on Visualizing internal forces in structural design, we will look at specific examples of how buildings are created in which we cannot distinguish whether the architect's initial idea or the structural design came first. Joseph Schwartz will expertly guide the audience through the development of the science of civil engineering over the last two centuries and its implications for education and practice.

The lecture will be in German, translated into Czech, and is free for everyone.

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