The future has been erased. Imagination, exhausted by successive crises, continual innovations and immediate returns on investment, collides with a closed horizon; Drunk with nostalgia, any long-term vision has been dismissed as utopian, a mere fantasy - until one collides with dystopia. Yet architecture's overriding task has always been to deal with the future: we still experience structures built decades or even centuries ago. Where have we lost our way? The fifth edition of the biennale svizzera del territorio is a call to imagination. A call to reclaim the future and to design together alternatives to the slow unfolding of the present.
24/10/2024
The fifth edition of the Biennale svizzera del territorio came to a successful close on 4-5 October, welcoming a diverse and curious audience and confirming its position as an important platform for dialogue and reflection on the future of our territory. This year's theme, "Back to the Future", inspired shared discussions and visions, with a particular focus on young people, who were at the heart of this edition.
28/09/2024
On Saturday, October 5th, as part of the fifth edition of the biennale svizzera del territorio, an open-to-all walk will take place, organized by the International Institute of Architecture in collaboration with the Territorial Development Section of the Department of Territory (DT) and the De Molfetta Strode Landscape Architects studio.
25/09/2024
With the theme of this edition, the Biennial has decided to focus on visions. The call was made to gather new ideas for the future. A simple theme, but with a high potential for people, especially young people, to look at tomorrow and try to interpret what the future really means to them. The result is a unique blend of artistic expression, community engagement and forward-thinking ideas that explore different themes.
A regional and national event with international appeal. It is a high-level event that opens the doors of Villa Saroli to territorial experts and architects, as well as to the general public. The event addresses the many different stakeholders involved in the Baukultur process - including media and political actors. With this open approach, the Biennale contributes to the discussion on the social, economic and spatial changes taking place within today’s society.
a centre for urban culture dedicated to exploring issues related to the territory and sustainability. A place of openness and debate, it believes in architecture as a tool for interpreting and understanding the great transformations of the contemporary world. It encourages the participation of civil society, professionals and institutions in the formulation of a design vision for the future of the territory we live in. It involves citizens of all age groups through different languages and formats, with a programme that includes conferences, meetings, exhibitions, summer schools and workshops. Founded in 1983 in Vico Morcote as the European headquarters of SCI-Arc - Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, since 2015 the Institute has been based in Villa Saroli, in the centre of Lugano.
Ludovica Molo
Is an architect and director of the Istituto Internazionale di Architettura in Lugano.
Caspar Schärer
Is an architect and journalist, secretary general of the Federation of Swiss Architects (BSA-FAS).
Marc Frochaux
Is an art historian, architect and editor-in-chief of Tracés.
Cyril Veillon
Is director of the Archizoom exhibition space at EPFL Lausanne.
Ariane Widmer Pham
Is an architect and urbanist, cantonal planner of Geneva.
Heike Biechteler
Is an architect and senior research assistant at the Institute of Architecture at HSLU.
Co-curator of the biennale svizzera del territorio 2024.
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