The Asset Class
Reinier de Graaf with Hans Larsson and Alexandru Retegan
This event will present the results of the spring 2021 proseminar "The Asset Class".
The six-part proseminar, taught by Reinier de Graaf with Hans Larsson and Alexandru Retegan (OMA), is posited on the notion that buildings both cost and earn money. What remains of architecture theory once we blatantly regard architecture as a function of economy? Even if seemingly absent from the architect’s radar, the need for buildings to generate financial return is a potent, yet little discussed driver of architectural form. The proseminar revisits architecture through the lens of finance, aiming to identify building types stemming from the motive to create a profitable investment. Based on their findings, students will present speculative scenarios that take this reality to the extreme.
Guests include Patrice Derrington, Christoph Kumpusch, and Anne Kockelkorn. With contributions from Jin Young Chang, Maria Christopoulou, Ana Herreros, Maria Finagina, Georgia Katsi, Jacklyn Mickey, Ryan Ridge Rahardja, Nishi Shah, Michael Tjia, and Heng Yu.