DOORS OF PERCEPTION:
CAN A DETAIL SAVE THE WORLD?
Craftsmanship Semester 01 Gent, EN
How to Inquire? (exploring)
Individual work
Tutor: Tomas Ooms
< Image: STTUW-MULTI-Detail-unitised-facade
Your design starts in a fairly recent building,
from a careful observation of an architectural detail,
moving through a series of architectural models, sections, drawings
you will explore the topic of re-usability and,
civic impact.
You will work on a site in Gent or Brussel,
where you will design a civic space.
You will end the studio with a new architectural detail.
In doing so, you will clear your doors of perception and save the world (*).
(*) if not in general, then at least from material waste and bullshit.
‘I am a firm believer that without speculation (nor imagination),
there is no good and original observation’.
Charles Darwin
In this studio, you will embark on a journey that starts with a single architectural detail in a fairly recent building. Through careful observation and creative interpretation, you’ll uncover the latent potential of this detail, using it as a springboard to explore broader themes such as re-usability, storage, and civic impact.
Working with architectural models, sections, and drawings, you will dive deep into the design process, reimagining how underused or vacant buildings in Gent or Brussels can be transformed into vibrant civic spaces. Along the way, you will experiment, iterate, and refine your ideas, ultimately crafting a new architectural detail that encapsulates your vision for the building’s future.
This studio is not just about technical design—it’s about reshaping your perception of what architecture can achieve. Through the lens of detail, you will discover how small interventions can lead to significant change, both in the built environment and in the community it serves. By the end of the semester, you will have not only a new architectural detail but also a fresh perspective on how design can contribute to saving the world, one detail at a time.
Please contact me if you have questions: tomas.ooms@kuleuven.be
You can find more information below. See also below for examples from previous renditions of the studio.
There you can dive into the scope, context and planning of the Doors of Perception studio.
STTUW Konekt Snede.jpeg(1)
Fairly Recent Building
What is the spatial potential and spatial resource that exists in fairly recent vacant or underused buildings or (parking buildings, oversized buildings…)? How can they be transformed towards civic impact? How can these spaces be spaces of encounter? Can they serve as material banks?
Fairly recent buildings, such as vacant or underused structures — whether they are parking garages, oversized commercial spaces, or other similar types—represent a significant spatial resource within the urban fabric. These buildings, often overlooked, possess untapped potential that can be harnessed to serve the community in new and innovative ways.
The spatial potential of these buildings lies in their ability to be reconfigured and repurposed, transforming them into civic spaces that foster social interaction and community engagement. By identifying and capitalizing on the inherent flexibility of these structures, we can breathe new life into them, converting underutilized areas into spaces of encounter where people gather, connect, and share experiences.
Furthermore, these buildings can be seen as material banks, containing a wealth of resources that can be harvested, reused, and reincorporated into new designs. This approach not only reduces the need for new materials but also preserves the embodied energy within the existing structure, aligning with sustainable practices and circular economy principles.
The transformation of these fairly recent buildings into civic spaces requires a thoughtful and creative approach. It involves reimagining their function and form, integrating them into the urban context in a way that enhances their civic impact. Through adaptive reuse, these structures can become more than just relics of a past era—they can be pivotal elements in the creation of a more inclusive and resilient city.
Re-usability (material reality)
Re-usability focuses on the life cycle of materials within the built environment, emphasising how existing elements can be adapted, repurposed, or transformed to serve new roles. In the context of this project, re-usability involves a deep analysis of the materials and architectural details of the existing building. By identifying components that can be re-used, the design aims to minimize waste, reduce the need for new resources, and enhance the building’s civic impact.
This approach not only conserves material resources but also fosters a connection between the past and the future of the site. The existing architectural detail, once carefully observed and understood, serves as a catalyst for re-imagining the space’s potential. The act of re-using materials is not just an ecological decision; it becomes a way to embed the history and memory of the building into its future, allowing the design to resonate with its surroundings and the community.
This re-usability of materials ties into the broader civic impact of the project. By consciously selecting materials that can be repurposed, the design promotes an ethos of responsibility and care. This can inspire the community and set a precedent for future developments in the area. Through the thoughtful application of re-usability, your project seeks to contribute to the creation of a more resilient and resource-conscious urban fabric.
Civic space
As there is a spatial component to whatever we do as humans, this comes with great responsibility. Therefore each and every project should have a civic impact.
Every human action carries a spatial dimension, intertwining our physical environment with our collective experience. This spatial component bestows a profound responsibility on those who shape it. Civic spaces, therefore, are more than just physical locations; they are the stages upon which public life unfolds, and their design carries significant implications for social cohesion, accessibility, and community well-being.
Given this responsibility, every architectural project must be conceived with a civic impact in mind. A civic space should not only serve its immediate functional purposes but also contribute to the larger social fabric. It should encourage interaction, foster a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities for public engagement. Whether it’s a public square, a community center, or a repurposed building, the goal is to create environments that enhance the quality of life for all who use them.
Designing with civic impact means considering the broader implications of our work—how a space can influence behavior, facilitate encounters, and support the needs of diverse populations. It challenges us to think beyond the immediate project scope
Details as catalysts for urban transformation
Details can have a big impact in many ways. Details also are crucial when it comes to taking care of the existing buildings. What details are crucial in the understanding of existing buildings? How do they contribute to the characteristics of the building? How can they be a vector through which you generate knowledge of how something is made? This also means that details are crucial to achieve and contribute to the realisation of your spatial and civic concept. Details, because of their multiplication factor, have a large impact on the overall material use in the construction of a project…
The detail is central in the Doors of Perception studio that much you have guessed. Throughout the semester you will produce different renditions of details as a base of your transformation project. Details will be the lens through which you will look at the built reality in its current condition and in the spatial and civic potential this built reality has.
Details are the building blocks of architecture, holding the power to influence the overall character and impact of a structure. In existing buildings, details play a crucial role in revealing the essence of their design, construction, and historical context. They offer insights into how a building was conceived and crafted, and by studying these details, we can unlock a deeper understanding of the structure’s inherent qualities.
In the context of the Doors of Perception studio, details are not merely technical elements but are central to the entire transformation process. They serve as a lens through which we explore the existing built environment, allowing us to perceive both its current condition and its potential for spatial and civic transformation. By focusing on details, we can identify the characteristics that define a building’s identity and explore how these elements can be adapted, preserved, or reimagined to serve new purposes.
The impact of details extends beyond aesthetics; they are pivotal in achieving the broader spatial and civic concepts of a project. Each detail, through its multiplication across a building, significantly influences the overall material usage and sustainability of the construction. Thoughtful detailing can reduce waste, enhance durability, and contribute to the building’s long-term resilience.
Throughout the semester, you will engage in the meticulous study and reinterpretation of architectural details. These explorations will form the foundation of your transformation project, guiding your decisions and shaping the final design. By understanding and manipulating details, you will not only preserve the integrity of the existing building but also unlock new possibilities for its civic and spatial contribution
Tools
The tools in the studio are drawings, sections, and models. The outcome is a design proposal for a site in Gent or Brussels with a focus on the detail. You will start from an existing architectural detail and work your way through to a new architectural detail. Along the way imagine the building in transformation.
The work is individual, but the conversations and source-material research will happen collectively.
In the Doors of Perception studio, the design process is driven by a deep exploration of architectural details, using tools such as drawings, sections, and models. These tools serve as the medium through which you will engage with the existing built environment, analyzing and reinterpreting details to envision a building’s transformation.
The journey begins with a careful study of an existing architectural detail, which will act as the foundation for your design proposal. Through iterative exploration and refinement, you will work towards creating a new architectural detail that embodies the project’s spatial and civic aspirations. This process is not linear; it requires imagining the building in transformation, considering how each detail contributes to the overall concept and its impact on the site.
Your design proposal will focus on a site in Gent or Brussels, where the goal is to create a space that responds to the civic and spatial potential of the area. While the work is primarily individual, the studio emphasizes collective engagement in conversations and research. By sharing insights and collaborating on source-material research, you will enrich your understanding and broaden the scope of your design approach.
Timing
Week 01: introduction and site visit
Week 02, 03, 04: a detail, a site and three sources Week 05: review with external panel
Week 06, 07: an ‘urban’ section + the above Week 07: site visits, excursion
Week 8, 9, 10: a new detail + the above
Week 11: review on crucial drawing with external panel
Week 12, 13: development of all of the above
Week 14: supersalon
Outcome(s)
A3 Leporello with models of details.
Sources
‘Understanding Urban Stocks‘ by FutuREuse;
‘How the World Really Works’ by Vaclav Smil;
‘Non-extractive Architecture’ by Space Caviar;
‘Holding Pattern’ by Interboro;
‘Recycling, circular economy and urban mining’ by Building Social Ecology;
‘Building a circular economy: The role of information transfer’ by Stefan Šipka and Annika Hedberg;
‘Doors of perception’ by Aldous Huxley;
‘Not the End of the World’ by Hannah Ritchie
