Roger Boltshauser - Response - výstava v DUČB

The use of clay as a building material is as old as the history of humanity itself. Yet, this material is perhaps more contemporary than any other, not only due to its structural-physical properties but also its ecological features. Clay is a very important "theme" in the work of Roger Boltshauser.

We are very pleased to present, as part of the architectural exhibitions, a project at the House of Art in České Budějovice that offers the essence of Boltshauser's direction. The exhibition clearly indicates a very close connection between architecture, art, and construction—thus aspects deeply rooted in the author's work.

Roger Boltshauser founded Boltshauser Architekten AG in 1996 in Zurich. Besides working for his office, he taught from 1996 to 2009 at ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne, the University of Applied Sciences Chur (HTW), and the Chur Institute of Architecture (CIA). He was also a guest professor at TU Munich and is currently a visiting lecturer at ETH Zurich. In addition to a long list of realizations and projects, he has also participated in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, and has received several prestigious awards.

The fundamental "theme" of Roger Boltshauser is sustainability, which is convincingly demonstrated by his rich portfolio, encompassing both rammed-earth constructions and works related to urbanism as well as contributions relating to historical heritage. In today's over-technologized and industry-driven era, the "re-use" of clay is still something new, yet it also indicates great potential for the future. Reevaluating these issues, expanding on them, and exploring their application is a driving force for Boltshauser, as he seeks new, meaningful solutions based on a critical approach to established conventions. He places a noticeable emphasis on the context of the location, as well as a sensitivity to finding balance in proportions and material choices.

The author and his team clearly avoid fashionable trends, and like Peter Märkli, whom we presented in Budějovice in 2017 and with whom he taught as an assistant at ETH Zurich and later at EPFL in Lausanne in the late 1990s, Boltshauser explores his personal fascinations, concerns, and interests within architecture and in it. As Jonathan Sergison notes regarding his work: "Roger reevaluates the timeless foundations of architecture through his work and questions the canon of modernism, especially concerning contemporary constructions and design principles. The specific, sensuous character of his work stems from a personal sense of proportion and composition. Surfaces are treated with refreshing straightforwardness and robustness."

One of the latest projects selected for this exhibition, which fully illustrates the mentioned characteristic, is the observation tower of the Ziegelei brickworks museum in Cham, Switzerland, completed in 2021. This remarkable building made of rammed earth is enhanced by structural innovations such as prestressing, which increases resistance to seismic loads. It is also the first building in the world made from prestressed earth.

The second aspect that is important to mention within this exhibition is the author's artistic work. Its beginning dates back to 1980, and one can trace the influence of both Swiss neo-expressionists and the works of Kiefer, Rainer, or Joseph Beuys. Today, it is nearly impossible to dissociate his artistic works from the influence of architecture, just as architectural projects cannot do without his artistic creations.

Roger Boltshauser's architectural language evolves in the context of exploring materials and their internal and structural possibilities. In addition to numerous smaller realizations, he places emphasis on the public sector. Whether they are town halls, research laboratories, schools, sports centers, or even a zoo building, this is clear evidence of how important the fact of social and urban responsibility of architecture is to the author.

The need to limit the consumption of non-renewable resources and energy, combined with growing attention to climate-related issues, has certainly stimulated greater research and discussions on rammed earth as a building material. It is an extremely versatile material, readily available and capable of meeting the needs of various climatic conditions. This realization, combined with a solid understanding of ecological issues, characterizes his buildings and is an important moment in contemporary world architecture. Roger Boltshauser engages at all levels in the search for an authentic response that incorporates as many aspects as possible. Questions such as sustainability are as important to him as compositional and spatial aspects. The climatic factor plays a role in all phases of planning, influencing urban concepts, floor plans, facades, material choices, and construction work. It is both a formative and a formable aspect of the design process, which leads to a unique contemporary expression.

The exhibition RESPONSE / Odpověď / immerses us in an environment that indicates the essence of Boltshauser's creation. Through a special spatial installation, using photographs by Luca Ferraria, it offers a selection of several building realizations, carefully chosen drawings along with objects and models that create a connection between architecture and art, so significant for his work.

Special thanks for cooperation to Atelier Andrea Gassner.

Curator: Michal Škoda