Guest Lecture by Wes Degreef: Architecture of Prototyping
Type
- Open Science
- Präsentation
Topic
- Andere Forschungsthemen
- Kultur
Wes Degreef is like a Swiss army knife for the city: designer, builder, lab researcher, and street-corner worker all in one. Through BC architects & studies & materials, he builds, rebuilds, tinkers, and fabricates circular constructions around the world. At the same time, he teaches at KU Leuven Sint Lucas and works with his team on structural changes in the construction sector, always with future generations in mind.
In his lecture, Wes reflects on the concept of ‘architecture of prototyping’, which originates from projects in Morocco and Ethiopia. There, BC discovered that architecture is most valuable when designers, craftsmen, and users collaborate in an experimental process: designing, building, failing, and learning from each iteration. Back in Europe, the team explored ways to make this approach economically sustainable, expanding their role to include material consulting, construction laboratories, and knowledge exchange within a single project. This approach challenges the traditional role of architects in Belgium and strives for an integrated approach to the building process. A striking example is Usquare, the circular redevelopment of the former gendarmerie in Ixelles, where reuse, local bio- and geo-materials, and co-production come together. The project becomes a living laboratory for BC’s prototyping philosophy, where learning and experimentation are central.
Host
TU Graz | Institut für Städtebau
Time and Location
8. October 2025, 06:00 PM - 20:00
TU Graz, Campus Alte Technik, HS II, Rechbauerstraße 12, 8010 Graz
Additional informations
Language: English
Contact
Lena RIBIC
TU Graz | Institut für Städtebau
lena.ribic@tugraz.at
Phone: +43 316 873 6286
