Swiss architecture and engineering enjoy an excellent reputation not only because of the technical expertise and inventiveness of their designers, but also for their far-reaching concern with sustainable development. The traveling exhibit Swiss Positions: 33 Takes on Sustainable Approaches to Building showcases photographs of 33 key Swiss construction projects over the past 20 years, which all look into sustainable development. The exhibit will be on view at Yuchengco Museum from November 12, 2012 to January 10, 2013.
The 33 projects selected for Swiss Positions present architectural and engineering achievements of the past 20 years through the eyes of 25 talented photographers. The projects range from the recreational to the infrastructural, the alpine to the rural, and from the urban to the suburban. The exhibit explores different angles with regard to engineering techniques, materials, ecology, and protection of the environment, while underlining the uniqueness of each achievement. What all these architectural works have in common—whether viewed from a technological, organic, vernacular, bioclimatic, or social perspective—is that they interact with the setting in which they’ve been created.
What is the decisive factor for practicing responsible architecture? An urban environment, intact nature, a place of relaxation, a peripheral or rural location, or a place where people are on the go—does the site influence the architectural choices? Is it ecological materials or the energy performance that determines what makes the buildings sustainable? The Swiss Positions demonstrates that sustainable development is not a ready-made formula, but rather one that brings together various architectural practices, giving rise to questions associated with both creativity and sustainability.
To complement the exhibit, the Swiss Embassy is presenting a series of Saturday afternoon talks on architecture, construction, and sustainable development in the Philippines and Switzerland. On November 17, Sacha Cotture and Jean-Claude Girard will speak on Swiss Architectural Production. On November 24, Marcel Brunner and Michael Canares will share their experiences in Planning, Constructing, and Maintaining a Beach Resort in Paradise. On December 1, Edward Schwarz will share his insights into Rethinking the Way We Build, while Miguel Guerrero will cite Steps to Sustainability in the Philippines. Held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., all lectures are free with museum admission. To reserve slots, call (632) 889-1234 or email [email protected].
Swiss Positions: 33 Takes on Sustainable Approaches to Building is a traveling exhibit presented by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Embassy Manila in celebration of 150 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Philippines. The exhibit is on view at Yuchengco Museum from November 12, 2012 to January 10, 2013. Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.
