Architekturwoche Basel
The Architekturwoche Basel (AWB) is the biennial platform for architecture and urban development in Switzerland’s capital of architecture. You can dive into the building culture of the metropolitan region at over 100 different events.
Platform for contemporary architecture
The second edition of Architekturwoche Basel in September 2024, entitled ‘Hidden Spaces: Opportunities for the Future’, is dedicated to the transformation and activation of hidden spaces – because the invisible is not taken care of in the same way as the visible.
The invisible includes various networks and infrastructures such as watercourses and reservoirs, the production of food and energy, our waste, our data, administrative and social boundaries and, last but not least, our history. These are all important parameters that determine our present and future presence in the city and the countryside – because hidden spaces offer opportunities and chances for the future.
AWB’24 offers seven days of exhibitions and guided tours, discussions and film programme, presentations and a pop up shop for new architecture books. The aim is to understand the invisible forces in our built environment and use them as tools for rethinking architecture.
The Architekturwoche Basel is being launched by the Architektur Dialoge Foundation, which has been communicating with a broad audience about contemporary architecture and promoting conversations on this topic since 2006.
Formats
© Sarah Basar Santamaria
Reservoir
During AWB’24, the focus will be on a car park on the Dreispitz area with its underground water reservoir. From 7 to 13 September, visitors will be able to experience spatial, cultural and social interventions and installations alongside the everyday use of the RESERVOIR. From 161 submissions, the jury selected a project that gives the building itself a voice through a temporary intervention and creates the framework for the discourse of a long-term perspective. The project deals with specific spatial elements, functional features, alternative perspectives and the interactions between visitors and infrastructure. The Open Call and the intervention with its accompanying events are supported by the Christoph Merian Stiftung.
Forum
AWB’24 aims to make a contribution to understanding the invisible forces in our built environment and to utilise them as tools for a reorientation of architecture. Exhibitions, tours and discussions on the three themes of water, sound and nutrition show in a variety of ways how existing spaces can be redefined and utilised. The topics of the lunchtime tours will be explored in greater depth in the evenings in discussions for interested members of the public.
Perspectives
In the Perspectives format, architecture and planning offices are invited to participate in the Architecture Week Basel 2024 in order to activate hidden spaces. The format offers various events that deal with the themes of water, sound and food with/out the city. During the Architecture Week in September 2024, we will learn more about conceptual proposals, research work and realized projects that address the future development of hidden spaces and show their view of the city.
AWB Tours
AWB’24 begins on Saturday and Sunday with AWB Tours, a varied programme of visits, guided tours and tours of hidden spaces. These include old and new reservoirs, production sites for drinking water, food and energy, underground tunnels and cross-border routes.
AWB Films
With AWB Films, the organisers of the Zurich ‘Architektur FilmTage’ present perspectives on the transformation and activation of hidden spaces. Changing and repurposing existing buildings and structures requires a rethink and a new–also cinematic–view of what will be valuable in the future.
AWB Books
The AWB Books programme offers insights into newly published architecture books and the broad spectrum of current architectural topics. The organisers of the ‘I Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel’ bring the world of architecture books to Basel for a week.
Discover Basel’s architecture
Good to know.
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The Architekturwoche Basel was held for the first time in May 2022, and will then be a biennial event.
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In the programme, you can find the locations in Basel and the region at which Architekturwoche Basel events will take place.
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Most events are free of charge. Reservations for the panel discussions and site tours can be booked now. Advance booking is recommended.