THIS YEAR'S THEME
Takaharu + Yui Tezuka
In childhood, you used to live in a different world. It does not mean only the scale of the surrounding environments.
You used to hear the world differently. Children are capable of recognizing hypersonic sound exceeding 20 kHz. Their ears are much more like wild animals' than the grownup's. Beyond 20 KHz, the body transmits vibration through bones to the central spine, and the deepest part of the brain sends chemical signal to the upper dermal surface of the brain. The process is similar to the one for primitive life forms before we humans evolve consciousness. They smell spring wind differently and touch the surface of stones differently.
This year we want you to find an invisible city that can be seen or experienced only by children. Please do not consider this an easy assignment. Adults are experienced in finding anything hidden by children. This is not about hiding a space nor making a smaller threshold. The assignment is about exploring parallel universe where you used to live in, yet not anymore.
Join architects led by Takaharu and Yui Tezuka from Tokyo to explore and implement these ideas in the life of the picturesque small hill town of Grožnjan, from July 29th – August 6th 2024!
Tokyo based Takaharu and Yui Tezuka in 1994 established one of the most innovative practices working today. They have extensive experience designing spaces for children, such as Fuji Kindergarten, which was named the best school in the world by OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and UNESCO. Recently they were awarded for the best religious building in 2022 by Archdaily for their project of Niijima Gakuen Junior College Hall & Chapel.
“We set out on a pursuit not just in designing architecture, but in changing the world for the better through the means of architecture; a value we hold true to this day. Architecture is not merely an object but holds the power to change people's lives and societies.”
While their activity is based on architectural design, they hold lectures all over the world, receiving offers from OECD. Their theory on children`s environment is published as the "Yellowbook" from Harvard University.
Grožnjan Summer School of Architecture will take place in Grožnjan, Croatia, July 29th – August 6th, 2024.
JMI CENTRE GROŽNJAN
Umberta Gorjana 2, 52429 Grožnjan, Croatia
groznjanschoolofarchitecture@gmail.com