kruh autumn 2012: In Situ Architects Landscape Architects

Kruh invites you to a lecture series on contemporary architecture

Thu, December 6, 2012, 7:30 PM

In Situ Architectes Paysagistes

The Atelier In Situ Architectes Paysagistes from Lyon, France specializes in public spaces and parks. In addition to architects and urban planners, it also employs landscape architects, which is evident in the atelier's projects – surfaces and furniture complement natural elements excellently.

The main theme of their lecture will be the solution for the banks of the Rhône River in the center of Lyon, which could serve as inspiration for the revitalization of Prague's riverbanks. The transformation of the Rhône bank into a public space was completed four years ago – until then, the riverbank primarily served as a parking lot. The newly created promenade for pedestrians and cyclists is five kilometers long, crosses the entire city center, and connects the two largest urban parks. For comparison, Prague's Rohanské nábřeží from Vyšehrad rock to Mánes is about 1.5 km.

The linearity of the strip along the Rhône is rhythmically interrupted by stops that offer various ways to spend leisure time for all generations. You can stretch your body, swim in the pool, play with children, fish, or just stroll or sit under a tree. The architecture is rather unobtrusive, with simple stone blocks, steps, ramps, or walls separating play areas, and wooden decks extending into the water. From an aerial perspective, Lyon's riverbank appears as a green ribbon – although it is not a park, plants play a key role here. Mostly local species of plants have been planted – willows, various grasses, and wild herbs in the lower layer.

The Lyon atelier In Situ is led by architect Emmanuel Jalbert, and its collaborators are mostly young architects, urban planners, and landscape architects. The atelier mainly focuses on public spaces – squares, parks, street improvements, public staircases, and other urban areas. In its projects, it seeks to connect natural and cultural elements and harmonize the memory of the place with contemporary design approaches.

French Institute in Prague, Štěpánská 35, Prague 1

Admission 80 CZK / 50 CZK students
The lecture will be in French and translated into Czech
Publications, T-shirts, and bags from Kruh will be available for purchase at advantageous prices during the lectures

Lectures are held every first Thursday of the month

Partners: The Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, AVU School of Architecture Prague, French Institute in Prague
Supported by: Konsepti, City Hall of Prague, MDA Prague s.r.o., Metrostav a.s., Sipral a.s.
Media partners: Era 21, Radio 1, archiweb.cz, Cultural biweekly A2

The Kruh Civic Association has been organizing public events and lectures focused on current developments in architecture since 2001. The aim of the lectures and discussions is to facilitate a dialogue about quality Czech and world architecture and architectural production with broader sections of the public – i.e., beyond a narrow circle of experts and architecture students. Kruh has already organized more than one hundred lectures by prominent and emerging Czech and foreign architects and architectural theorists, two film festivals on architecture, and an exhibition titled Occupation: Architect. It regularly publishes collections of Texts on Architecture. The Kruh Civic Association is also the initiator of the nationwide festival Architecture Day, whose second edition took place this September.