Design Studio Masters SS24: Of Gods and Heroes

taught by Eleni Boutsika Palles and Stefan Maier

 

Greek myths have a universal quality. Populated by characters who are as recognizable today as they were in antiquity, and who frequently find themselves in dire situations, these myths seem to be such a potent way of talking about identities, origins and desires. Embraced by the Romans and never forgotten even in the Dark Ages, these myths have exercised a profound influence on literature, art and music. Today, Greek mythology is so embedded in modern culture, including film, television and computer games, that it has become part of the every­day world of many who may otherwise care relatively little for antiquity.

We try to understand, or rather do, theory spatially, moving from the conceptual articulation of ideas to the sensory, the tactile, the auditory and the visual. Students are challenged to weave stories into architectural design, creating spaces that embody the essence of these stories, while addressing contemporary societal and environmental concerns.