Mann Graeme et Capua Mann Patricia (Lausanne)

Graeme Mann & Patricia Capua Mann / Philosophy Inventing today for tomorrow's past Innovations and the "art of living Today, technical and technological advances are evolving rapidly. Architecture, by contrast, moves much more slowly, mainly in its use of new construction techniques and technologies, but also in its relationship with materials. The greatest architectural inventions are essentially focused on a new definition of the "art of living", on the interpretation of a theme or program, on the search for new spatialities. There is a history of technical evolution, and a history of how space is appropriated. Our role as architects is to understand that, to make sense, creativity must be part of an architectural continuity. Architecture must understand the very essence of the sources and links between social realities, then translate them to achieve coherence of form and architectural language. In this climate of evolving tradition and form, we feel the need to give meaning to the processes of change in which we are inevitably involved. Our responsibility lies in encouraging change, highlighting innovative elements and recognizing their quality.

Expressing structure in space and the art of building Following the observation that some influential architects, including Mies Van der Rohe, gave priority to the definition of space, our research turned to the manipulation of constructive and structural elements. The appearance in the Barcelona Pavilion of a new definition of spatial priorities has enabled an innovative reading of structure, and testifies to a turning point in the way construction is conceived. In our work, the structure evokes a sense of absent presence, eclipsing itself until it is no longer clearly identifiable. The structure helps to define an ambience where only space and light come together and complement each other in simple volumes. In a quest to energize movement, walls, concrete sails and posts create space through the choice to show, subtract or hide.