Bernard Tschumi Interview

Summary

In this interview at the 2014 Venice Biennale, architect Bernard Tschumi discusses his journey into architecture, which began with a lack of interest due to his father's profession but was ignited by a transformative experience in Chicago. Tschumi details his architectural education, his shift towards urban design, and his innovative approach to 'notation' in architecture, which involves choreographing movement within space. He critiques the current state of urbanization, lamenting the lack of creativity and experimentation in city design. Tschumi also shares his thoughts on the role of architects in shaping the cities of tomorrow, emphasizing the importance of questioning and challenging the status quo.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Bernard Tschumi's initial disinterest in architecture stemmed from his father's profession, but his experience in the US, particularly Chicago, sparked his passion for the field.
• 🌆 Tschumi was deeply influenced by the urban landscape of Chicago in the early 1960s, appreciating its density and the way light was integrated into the city's design.
• 🏫 His architectural education at the ETH in Zurich was traditional, but he was inspired by urban history professor Paul Hofer to think more critically about cities.
• 🤝 Tschumi's desire to work with Cedric Price was thwarted by his professors, who did not consider Price's work as architecture, which only increased Tschumi's interest in Price's ideas.
• 🏙️ Tschumi's shift towards questioning architecture's relationship with power, money, and societal norms led him to England, where he began teaching and exploring the margins of architecture.
• 🎨 In New York, Tschumi rekindled his interest in drawing, focusing on experimental designs that combined elements of choreography and movement within the city, culminating in 'The Manhattan Transcripts'.
• 🏗️ It took Tschumi 12 years post-graduation to apply his theoretical ideas to a real project, beginning with the Parc de la Villette competition, which he won unexpectedly.
• 📈 Tschumi's approach to architecture involves creating a 'game board' with rules and pieces, allowing users to interact and develop the space dynamically, rather than a static design.
• 🌐 Tschumi criticizes contemporary architects for failing to innovate in urban design, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions like the Middle East and China.
• 👥 He believes architects should engage more with the ethical and moral challenges of their profession, and that a period of transition and critique may be necessary to stimulate new thinking.
• 👨‍🏫 As a teacher, Tschumi finds energy and invention in young architecture students, who are preparing the future of architecture and city planning, with a renewed interest in both small-scale fabrication and large-scale urban issues.

Q & A

What initially sparked Bernard Tschumi's interest in architecture?

Bernard Tschumi's interest in architecture was initially sparked by his visit to Chicago at the age of 17. Coming from a small Swiss town, the city's architecture and urban environment had a profound impact on him, leading him to decide to become an architect.

How did Bernard Tschumi's architectural education at ETH Zurich differ from his expectations?

Bernard Tschumi found that ETH Zurich, while being one of the best traditional schools, was not particularly interested in cities. He had a good urban history professor, Paul Hofer, but the context was very much Swiss architecture, which was not what he was looking for at the time.

What was the significance of Cedric Price in Bernard Tschumi's architectural journey?

Cedric Price played a significant role in Bernard Tschumi's journey as an architect. Tschumi was intrigued by Price's work and wanted to work for him. Despite his professors' disapproval, Tschumi found Price's ideas compelling, which led to a long story and a shift in Tschumi's architectural perspective.

What was the 'Manhattan Transcripts' project about and how did it influence Tschumi's work?

The 'Manhattan Transcripts' was a project where Bernard Tschumi experimented with drawing and developing a mode of expression he called 'notation'. It was about showing not only plans, sections, and elevations, but also the movements of bodies in space. This project was exhibited in art galleries and significantly influenced Tschumi's later work.

How did Bernard Tschumi approach the Parc de la Villette competition?

Bernard Tschumi approached the Parc de la Villette competition with an unconventional proposition about the city and architectural thinking. He was not expecting to win but was driven by a desire to apply his ideas into a real project. His approach was characterized by a sense of innocence and ignorance that helped him overcome various obstacles.

What was Bernard Tschumi's experience like working with Cedric Price on the La Villette project?

Bernard Tschumi had asked Cedric Price to design a pavilion for the La Villette project. Price worked on a substantial greenhouse design, but it was never realized due to budget constraints and the lack of private funding. However, Tschumi later paid homage to Price's design in the New Paris Zoo's greenhouse.

How does Bernard Tschumi view the role of architects in the design of contemporary cities?

Bernard Tschumi believes that architects have largely failed in their mission to design cities for today or tomorrow. He criticizes the lack of experimentation and the homogeneity of cities being built, especially in countries like China, and calls for a return to critical thinking and theory in architectural practice.

What is Bernard Tschumi's perspective on the importance of teaching and its impact on the future of architecture?

Bernard Tschumi sees teaching as a crucial part of shaping the future of architecture. He believes that schools are where the 'brew' of what architecture will become is prepared, and that engaging with young, inventive minds is essential for developing the architecture and cities of the next generation.

What advice would Bernard Tschumi give to young architects starting their practice?

Bernard Tschumi advises young architects to never take anything for granted, to always question, and to start with a question rather than accepting received ideas. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a critical and questioning approach in their work.

How does Bernard Tschumi describe his approach to master planning and urban design?

Bernard Tschumi views master planning and urban design as a game, where the architect establishes the game board, a few pieces, and some rules, and then allows users to play and develop the city as a dynamic process, rather than a static, frozen image.

What is Bernard Tschumi's view on the current state of architectural thinking in relation to the digital world?

Bernard Tschumi believes that architects are still finding their way in the digital world and that there is a need for a new way of working that is not just an echo of analog methods. He suggests that the interaction between software, hardware, and invisible media, including social media, with architectural 'hard stuff' is an area that will inevitably develop.