AulaChats #2: The Profession Formerly Known as Architecture

Where inaugural lectures and graduation ceremonies are otherwise held, the second edition of AulaChats examined the current state of architectural practice. Rather than presenting a portfolio of works or foregrounding architects themselves, the event—organized in March by the Institute of Architectural Theory, Art History and Cultural Studies—focused on the evolving professional profiles within the discipline. Three trained architects offered insights into working environments outside of the conventional architectural office. Sustainability researcher and Graz University of Technology alumna Martina Majcen (AEE INTEC) addressed architecture’s global responsibility in advancing energy-efficient building practices. Matthew Crabbe, architectural researcher at the Natural Building Lab at the Technical University of Berlin, reflected on the thoughts and uncertainties that young architects face after graduation. Further, Sorana Rădulescu, editor-in-chief of Baunetz Campus and former university assistant at the Institute of Architecture Technology, discussed how digital media can engage younger audiences in architectural discourse. Together, the speakers offered the students both conceptual and methodological points of orientation for life after completing their studies—contributing to a lively and ongoing debate on the future of the profession.

Ramona Kraxner