Amazing STORIES FROM THE CITY An AA Summer Architecture School SOCIAL FANTASY

In many cases, mainly associated with moments

of crisis -economic, political, environmental-,

the society needs of other rules to understand,

express and construct its reality.

At certain historical moments, alternative

forms of narration have been more effective

than a seemingly more realistic format. The

boom of the sci-fi novel and films during the

50´ and 60´ were the best means of expression

of a reality threatened by the effects of wars

and their feared impact on the environment. In

Latin America, Magical Realism, in literature,

was a way to dream a possible reality, beyond

the stagnation of economic and political

realities. Fear of natural disasters has

produced, in the imagination of science

fiction, new relations of humans with nature.

But the genre of fiction works not only to

register a dystopian present, but is of extreme

ability to advance future. From the novels by

Jules Verne to the stories by Arthur C. Clarke

became priceless references to the development

of technology and science.

The architectural practice was not alien to it.

Some projects supported in the form of fiction,

comics and POP culture have now become

paradigmatic examples of architecture -

Archigram, Superstudio, OMA...

Magical realism is questioned What Happens When

a Highly Detailed, realistic setting is Invaded

by something ´too strange to believe´. We

trust in the power of fantasy to construct

possible realities in architecture. In its

power to transform the city. We rely on the

development of new design tools based on

dreams, fantasies and illusions, as powerful

engines of social processes and for the

construction of collective recognition

environments.

WORKSHOP. General ideas.

IMAGINE A NEW LONDON. What new urban situations

are possible? What does not work in the city?,

What conditions should be reported as citizens

and as architects? What the city hopes in the

future?

FIND REFERENCES BEYOND ARCHITECTURE. The sci-fi

books, comics, films are waiting to be used.

But too, POP music, graffities, cartoons...

DESIGN THE SCENARIOS. Use the technique of

sketches, collage, 3D, models... to design new

urban situations.

BUILD A STORY. The architecture is capable of

telling stories. Write a fantastic script.

MAKE A COMIC!!!

* All the images are projects by Mi5 Architects and have been published in ICON magazine and the book Architects´ sketchbooks.

SCHEDULE.

THE SCRIPT: Field research and story development. • Collect data (1) on possible London scenarios.

• Analyze, from a fantastic perspective (2), emerging conflicts in the city from a social, political, ecological and urban point of view.

• Collection of data should be both analogue and digital, which means taking into account a variety of media like video recording, photo or hand drawings between others.

• Information collected will be shaped as an amazing story format (3) that will be used as an architectural tool.

THE SCENARIOS: Defining spaces. • The analysis of the battlefields will derive in a first view of mutated

architectures (4) such as new buildings, public spaces or urban landscapes.

• The purpose of these new architectural scenarios will be to rebuild the current reality into new urban opportunities.

• In order to make this phase tangible we will use a wide variety of media such as photomontages, collages, 3D models or drawings (5).

THE COMIC: making it real.

• Finally, to materialize these new scenarios based on mutated architectures, it will be necessary to create a fictional narrative through a unique storyboard 6.

• Images will be edited either in a digital or analogue way and produced as a real and fantastic comic booklet 7.

ORGANIZATION & FORMAT. The unit will be split in teams of 3 or 4 people.

Each team will produce one comic.

All of them will be published together in one

graphic book entitled Amazing Stories from the City.

TUTORS.

Nacho Martin and Manuel Collado. Principals of Mi5 Architects.

REFERENCES: ARCHICOMICS & FANTASTIC VISIONS.

Bruno Taut

Archigram

Archizoom

Haus Rucker-Co

Superstudio

OMA Rem Koolhaas

BIG Bjarke Ingels

Mi5 Architects

MI5´s profile was conceived since the turn of the century as a suggestive and innovative practice midway between construction and research.

Our work focuses on the search of alternative and not very explored public management strategies, exploiting fantasy as a powerful, dynamic motor of social processes.

Interested in participating in the construction of the signs of our era, we conceive our projects as the erection of identities of collective recognition, capable of redefining and strengthening the geographical and human territory where they stand.

We work with the efficiency of our projects´ communication strategies as a proposal which will intensify their social viability. Our work method is supported by proactive policies, with very personalized relationship protocols for each user and his environment.

One of the missions of the projects, conferences, essays and teaching undertaken by the studio during the last years, has been rethinking concepts such as Public, Youth, Outskirts, Fashion, Technology...

CV

Mi5 is a team of Nacho Martin and Manuel Collado since 1999 which focuses on researching unexplored projectual strategies, our work have been recognize, awarded and published on several ocassions.

We are invited to: VII Venice Architecture Biennale, Europe VI Burgos, Liege and MOPU, COAM Recent Work Foundation, FRESHMADRID COAM Foundation, Madrid Social Housing RIBA (London), 100% Crude COAM Foundation, Building Dwelling Thinking IVAM ... They have been teaching in Architectural Polytechnic Universities of Alicante, Alcala de Henares and Camilo Jose Cela, Fashion Design at the European Institute of Design (IED Madrid) and Visiting Member at the Architectural Association in London, in addition to having participated in several workshops, juries and lectures.

www.mi5arquitectos.com

Mi5 arquitectos. Nacho Martin & Manuel Collado. c/ Zurbano 47 4º Izq. 28009 Madrid (SPAIN).

T.: +34 913196079. F.: +34 913194661. em.: estudio@mi5arquitectos.com