Focus on architecture

Over 100 students, lecturers, alumni and guests of the Institute of Architecture and Planning convened on 4 December 2013 to celebrate “50 years of architectural education in Liechtenstein”. The event, which combined an architecture symposium and postcard auction, raised CHF 4,670.
Under the heading “5 on the next 5”, the five speakers, Ulrike Herrmann, Hubert Matt, Nicole Stöcklmayr, Christian Waldvogel and Maja Wicki-Vogt, presented their visions of the future of architecture and society. In view of their different professions as journalists, authors, researchers, architectural theorists, artists and philosophers, the discussion, in which the audience also took part, turned into an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, throwing up a broad spectrum of opinions. The evening was hosted by philosopher and TV presenter Katja Gentinetta.



From left to right: Maja Wicki-Vogt, Hubert Matt, Ulrike Herrmann , Katja Gentinetta, Christian Waldvogel and Nicole Stöcklmayr


Symposium testimonials

“Architects are optimists, seeking to make the world a better place with every project they work on.”
Hugo Dworzak, Head of the Institute of Architecture and Planning

“Infinite growth is not possible in a finite lifetime.”
Ulrike Herrmann , journalist and author

“I advocate more non-consuming, undefined spaces.”
Hubert Matt, media nomad and researcher

“There should be more of a focus on the story behind architecture.”
Nicole Stöcklmayr, architectural theorist and media scholar

“The important transitions are those connecting the real and the virtual world and the way they are structured is society’s responsibility.”
Christian Waldvogel, artist, programmer and architect

“The most important tool in an architect’s toolbox is our thought system.”
Maja Wicki-Vogt, philosopher, psychoanalyst and human rights activist

Images from the symposium can be viewed in the Facebook photo gallery.



Successful postcard auction

After the symposium, an auction was held in which the “If architecture ...” postcards of the Institute of Architecture and Planning, designed by architects, alumni, lecturers and students from the University of Liechtenstein to mark the anniversary, went under the hammer. The 50 selected postcards were sold for an impressive total of CHF 4,670. All proceeds will go to the Community Art Space project in Tanzania.



Highest bid of CHF 510 for the postcard by Zaha Hadid


The project aims to promote the Maasai’s traditional design and cultural products, to develop local cultural institutions and to improve the livelihoods of women and children.





Students from the University of Liechtenstein are set to take part in a workshop locally to design the community building, which will then be built and run by local Maasai women. The project partners are UNESCO, Irkiramat and African Architecture Matters.






For further information visit www.uni.li/architektur
and the Facebook photo gallery.