6th Orléans International Architectural Conference

Since its beginning in 1999, ArchiLab has become something of a landmark rendez-vous for forward-looking architecture at an international level. In just five years, the work of close on 150 different teams of architects had been exhibited; and more than 300 architects and critics had been present at Orléans to take part in a whole raft of meetings and events. ArchiLab is keen to help encourage and develop emerging phenomena in the field of architectural creation and reflection, as it is to offer a platform for illustrating stances and positions, lend its backing to forward-looking attitudes, and assert its own position, which is at once critical and practical. For its first issue, ArchiLab raised the question of the architect’s changing profession, by way of inviting 31 architectural teams and their own approaches and methods. In 2000, ArchiLab and UrbaLab symposium questioned new urban phenomena on a worldwide scale. The major concern of ArchiLab 2001 was the dimension of the dwelling and habitat, as well as new ways of inhabiting and living in them, between individualization and phenomena of standardization. In 2001, more than 90 teams of architects travelled to Orléans to present their projects and take part in the meetings. ArchiLab 2002 focused on the various issues raised by the environment underground in all its different dimensions and the temporal dynamic of architecture and its adaptabilité to new mouvements and flows. As part of the “20 Years of the FRACs” celebrations, ArchiLab 2003 contributed to presenting the FRAC Centre’s outstanding architectural collection to the public. This unique collection, formed around notions of utopia and experimentation in architecture, exhibited emblematic projects involving radical architecture from the 1960s to the very latest of works. Archilab 2004 is ushering in the change from an annual conference to one held every two years.The meetings will also be held during the “Vivre les Villes” manifestation, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Communication (Heritage and Architecture Office). The Naked City Site des subsitances militaires An exhibition of 31 architects, with each team showing several projects. The selection of projects made by Bart Lootsma will challenge the urban dimension in the approaches and methods adopted by some 30 young architects. The show will be divided into different sections: city-planning and urban development projects, installations and research in maquette form, installations, photographies, and projections. Activities in the city itself will also take place during the exhibition. Three days of Meetings Conference Centre On these three days there will be round tables and lectures with the participation of exhibiting architects, architecture critics and, for the first time, representatives from schools of architecture. 13 and 14 October Lectures/round tables with critics and exhibiting architects; round table on teaching. 15 October morning: summary, and a lecture by Andrea Branzi.