The architecture of problem solving: which problem?
Is there anything that we are not
imagining between water rising
and today’s living?
Title: Imagination - Human Condition I – 12.
Artist: Billy Gong. Find here.
ativity, play, scenarios
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
Disengagement from the ‘real world’
is a common criticism of the
architectural discipline. With
architects serving only 10-15% of the
population and an even lower number
in housing design, it is not difficult to
understand the basis for this critique.
Conversely, architecture is also about
imagination, creativity, play and
fantasy—all activities promoted in
architectural education, particularly
design studio.
Through this tutorial, we will try to
understand whether architecture
needs to touch base with the ‘real
world’. We will investigate what this
mean for architecture and
how/whether the ‘real world’,
imagination, fantasy and play can
assist each other in contributing to a
sustainable future.
re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
The architecture of problem solving: which problem?

1. Is the problem worth

imagining?

2. What is the problem trying

to solve?

3. Whose interests is creativity

serving, whose desires and to
do what?

4. Will the above questions be

resolved?

From “The architecture of problem solving”, By Anna Nicolle

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
The architecture of problem solving: which problem?

“Put in other words, the

educational design process can
be imaginative even when it is
not imaginary (as it is the case
most of the time!), and
profoundly realistic without
being expedient, subservient or
mundane.”

Necdet Teymur, Architectural Education: Issues

in Educational Practice and Policy (London: ?
uestion Press, 1992).

From “The architecture of problem solving”, By Anna Nicolle

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
Imagining whose desires and to do what?

from The Continuous Enclave: Strategies in Bypass Urbanism by V. Ramos

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
Imagining whose desires and to do what?

from The Continuous Enclave: Strategies in Bypass Urbanism by V. Ramos

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
Imagining whose desires and to do what?

from The Continuous Enclave: Strategies in Bypass Urbanism by V. Ramos

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
Is there social responsibility in the task of
imagining new urban conditions? )
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FA
L E
B
SA
LI
EA
R

I TY 1. Is the problem worth

L
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imagining?
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2. What is the problem trying
to solve?

3. Will the above questions be

resolved?

4. How does creativity

relate to the most pressing
question, the ‘real’ survival
of the planet?

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
The architecture of problem solving: what is the problem?

What have we neglected imagining in a climate of change?

what is the role of empirical knowledge in imagination and
creativity?

Victoria: Strong winds are fanning the massive bushfires (file photo).
(Getty Images: Aaron Francis)

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN
Is there social responsibility in the task of
imagining and creating new urban conditions?

1. Is the problem worth

imagining?

2. What is the problem trying

to solve?

3. Will the above questions be

resolved?

Source: http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/11/cleveland_to_discuss_expanding.html

re
‘re al wo rld’: a su st ain able project for the futu
and the
ativity, play, scenarios
2009
G AND PLANNING | ED
imagination, fantasy, cre TUTOR: BEATRIZ C. MAT
URA NA | UNI VERSITY OF MELBOURNE,
ARCHITECTURE BUILDIN