Tallinn Architecture Biennial, TAB Lounge (Pärnu mnt 6)
September 5, 2013, 19:30
http://www.tab.ee/program/lounge/events/tab-lounge-kek-budapest
KÉK Budapest will discuss the changing uses and functions associated with buildings of the Socialist period in Budapest using architectural history, contemporary uses, real estate management, photography, art, etc. as the context. Participating: Daniela Patti (Wonderland Platform for European Architecture), Daniel Kovacs (KÉK Budapest), Levente Polyak (KÉK Budapest) and others.
The Vacant Budapest project is a research program on vacant urban properties initiated by KÉK. The objective of the program is to raise awareness of the problem and opportunities of vacant real estate, and to create a regulatory framework opening the possibility of the in-between use of properties longtime abandoned, be they publicly or privately owned. Details at lakatlan.kek.org.hu/en
At the TAB Lounge, KÉK will present a specific section of the Vacant Budapest project, focusing on the abandonement and reuse of post-war buildings and complexes. The presentation and discussion will include thoughts about 1. the definition and legacy of socialist architecture, and related projects; 2. considerations on spaces and functions going obsolete with the Fall of the Wall; 3. a typology and map of post-war buildings and complexes abandoned; 4. case studies of reused socialist buildings, interventions, initiatives
The KÉK – Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre is an independent professional organization working in contemporary architecture and urban culture. KÉK was established in Budapest in 2006 to stimulate thinking about the built environment and to forge new ties between the architectural community and the public. In the past years, KÉK has organized hundreds of public events, including exhibitions, conferences, debates, architecture walks and festivals; initiated the development of community gardens, launched a public debate about the reuse of vacant urban spaces, coordinated small scale interventions for community development in suburban areas as well as organized an annual architecture film festival. These events explored and explained issues of contemporary architecture and the city to non-professional audiences, delivered cutting edge expertise to professionals and showcased urban development as a public process requiring professional responsibilities and informed civic action. More information at kek.org.hu
