Bogotá

Tuesday 19 – Wednesday 27 June 2012

Bogotá historically has had a troubled relationship with the mountains and rivers that define its limits. The city’s western boundary is the polluted Bogotá river, which acts as a barrier to the region’s most fertile valley. On the opposite edge, the city grid terminates at the Eastern Mountains, where the terrain becomes too steep to build. Once hundreds of creeks flowed down from here into the valley; almost all of them have now been turned into underground canals.

Bogotá’s relation to these natural boundaries will be interrogated in a series of projects using generative algorithmic design and digital prototyping techniques. Going beyond nostalgic efforts to recreate an idealised image of the city, and avoiding heroic mega-scale projects that are incompatible with the way Bogotá grows, we will orchestrate piecemeal urban actions – simultaneous ventures into urban and micro scales that will provoke speculations on how to change the cityscape.

The workshop will be organised in two studios, each focusing on one scale: scripted systems of organisation at the urban scale will define locations for speculative, small spaces; and samples of these will be digitally prototyped at 1:2. Developed as a collective effort, the play between scales will allow participants to find specific urban performances, and will demonstrate the necessity of using complex systems of organisation to address today’s urban questions.

Applications

The deadline for applications is 4 June 2012. All participants travelling from abroad are responsible for securing any visa required. After payment of fees, the AA can provide a letter confirming participation in the workshop. A portfolio or CV is not required, only the online application form and payment.

Fees

The AA Visiting School requires a fee of £695 per participant, which includes a £50 Visiting Membership. If you are already a member, the total fee will be reduced automatically by £50 by the online payment system. A discounted fee of £500 is offered to Colombian applicants. Fees are non refundable. Fees do not include flights. Accommodation during the workshop is not provided, but advice on accommodation options can be given.

Students need to bring their own laptops, digital equipment and model making tools. Please ensure this equipment is covered by your own insurance as the AA takes no responsibility for items lost or stolen at the workshop.

Eligibility
The workshop is open to architecture and design students and professionals worldwide.