The ModulARCH conference will offer a showcase of contemporary modular architecture both locally and globally

Prague, April 3, 2015 – Do you want to get acquainted with current trends in modular architecture? The conference represents the highlight of the ModulARCH festival. Fans of modular architecture will also become acquainted with both Czech and foreign implementations as well as the works of the renowned Spanish studio H-Arquitectes and Chilean architect Sebastian Irarrazaval. He will also be the leader of a follow-up workshop which will focus on problematic areas in Brno and their potential revitalization in the spirit of modular construction.

Conference

In the individual blocks of the conference, you will have the opportunity to learn about possibilities for revitalizing and solving public spaces, the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2015 will also be presented, and you will meet world-renowned modular architects and their projects. The highlight of the festival will be a lecture by Chilean architect Sebastian Irarrazaval, known worldwide for his not only modular houses.
Registration for the conference and further information can be found on the website www.modularch.cz.

The conference will take place on April 23, 2015 in Hall A of the Brno Exhibition Center.

PROGRAM

Morning Block: 10:00 – 13:20

I. Block: Modular Architecture in the Context of Public Space
How to create architecture in public spaces? What is its appropriate use? Do short-term events for its revitalization make sense? Public space is currently a widely discussed term. Through a brief presentation of specific actions and discussion with their organizers, we will outline possible forms, suitable examples, and difficulties that may arise.
     Matěj Hollan – Deputy Mayor of Brno
     Jiří Mareš - Faculty of Design and Arts, Pilsen, to the world-
     Jiří Sulženko – Pilsen 2015, Street for Art
     Jan Press – Moravian Gallery
     Josef Kocourek – Design Week Zlín

II. Block: EXPO 2015 as an Example of Current Possibilities of Modular Architecture
Introduction to the design process, production, and development of modular construction on a current award-winning project. Presentation of problematic and key moments in the design, ways of working with modular architecture, and an overview of its advantages and risks.
     Stanislav Martinec (KOMA MODULAR) - Modular Architecture Today
     Michal Krištof, Ondřej Chybík (Chybík&Kristof Associated Architects)
     Pavel Hrůza – CZ EXPO 2015 Representation
     Ladislav Slámečka (KOMA MODULAR) – Logistics of the Construction of the Czech Pavilion at EXPO

Discussion

Coffee break: 13:20 - 14:00

Afternoon Block: 14:00-16:30 –

III. Block: Modular Architecture in a Social Context
Modular systems have a long-standing tradition in various countries. Modules are used for different building typologies, for short-term situations, and as a full-fledged construction system. One application includes various buildings for social purposes – student housing, community centers, or emergency housing. European and global modular realizations of this nature will be presented.
     Slavomíra Ferenčuhová (MUNI) - Urban Anthropologist / Sociologist
     Martina Konecká (KOMA Space) /Austria- Emergency Housing
     Radko Květ, Radek Sládeček – Community Center Hvězdička
     Christian Bois (Carrer Bleu) / France – Construction of Modular Houses in France
     Patrick Wauhaus (Jan Snel) / Belgium - Association of Modular Buildings, Housing for the Mentally Disabled
     Xavier Ros Majo (H-Aquitectes) / Spain – Modular Architecture in Spain, Student Housing

Discussion

Coffee break: 16:30-17:00

Lecture by the foreign star of the festival: 17:00-18:00
     Sebastian Irarrazaval (Sebastian Irarrazaval Architects) /Chile

Workshop

Participants in the workshop may include architecture and construction students as well as young architects within 5 years of graduation. The main instructors of the workshop will be Sebastian Irarrazaval and Ximena Garcia Huidobro. The theme of the workshop is: Modular Tower for Brno. The goal of the workshop will be to analyze suitable solutions using modular architecture and to propose revitalization ideas for specific locations in Brno.

The workshop will take place on April 24 – 25, 2015 at the Moravian Gallery in Brno.

Sebastian Irarrazaval has already led several successful workshops in Chile and also in Venice, Italy. The topic of student proposals was a project for modular student dormitories at the Catholic University of Chile, while the Venice workshop was titled "10K - the longest continuous building in the world." The task was to design a 10 km long multifunctional building in Porto Marghera using modules, representing the first step in modernizing this area.

The ModulARCH conference and the follow-up workshop aim to bring participants as close as possible to the wide range of applications of modular architecture in various areas.

ModulARCH Festival

The festival will showcase various forms of contemporary modular architecture and is intended to highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of modern modular construction. Its goal is to provoke discussion about the forms and possibilities of modular architecture in the context of public space use and societal resonant social issues such as housing, education, or crisis intervention - currently the most frequently addressed topics and assignments in modular architecture.

More detailed information about the ModulARCH festival, including the registration form for both the conference and the workshop, can be found at: www.modularch.cz