The City Unknown: IAF Summer School 2024
"A city always contains more than any inhabitant can know, and a great city always makes the unknown and the possible spurs to the imagination.” — Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust, a History of Walking
IAF Summer School participants were invited to uncover the ephemeral city in this year’s programme. The City Unknown took place online and in-person from May 10-18, 2024. This programme of conversations and workshops featured a range of international emerging architects and urbanists (LINA fellows). With a focus on exploring, mapping, drawing out and then sharing the often hidden, ephemeral and embedded qualities and stories of cities, participants of The City Unknown summer school experienced the city of Dublin in a way they would never have imagined.
The City Unknown was led by LINA fellows from three exciting and accomplished European collectives: METASITU (Greece, Ukraine, Spain), continentale (Italy), and Spolka (Slovakia).
Collaboration with LINA fellows
IAF Summer School consisted of 3 parts and 5 events:
Part 1. METASITU, 10-11 May (in-person)
- Event 1: Conversation Friday 10 May, 18.30-20.00 (18 participants) - Event 2: Workshop Saturday 11 May, 10:00-17:00 (14 participants) Venue: IAF House
Part 2. continentale, 14 May (online)
- Event 3: Online Workshop Tuesday 14 May, 18:30-20:00 (24 participants) Venue: Zoom
Part 3. Spolka, 17-18 May (in-person)
- Event 4: Conversation Friday 17 May, 18.30-20.00 (5 participants) - Event 5: Workshop Saturday 18 May, 10:00-17:00 (7 participants) Venue: IAF House
LINA fellows METASITU
Date: 10/11 May 2024
Venue: IAF House, Dublin, Ireland
The IAF Summer School 2024 opened with “Where The Soft Things Are” – METASITU’s contribution to The City Unknown. “Where the Soft Things Are” was an invitation for participants to engage with the city’s architectural narrative beyond its physical structures, focusing on the intangible elements that contribute to the essence of urban life. Through a collaborative process to create a zine, participants documented and reflected on these ephemeral but essential qualities of the city.
>> Conversation
Friday 10 May, 18.30-20.00
The Summer School opened with a presentation from METASITU as Liva Dudareva and Eduardo Cassina introduced their practice, inviting participation and exchange.
>> Workshop
Saturday 11 May, 10:00-17:00
During Saturday’s workshop small groups of participants explored the city of Dublin with guided prompts. After returning to IAF House, they created a collective zine, informed by the city walk, with METASITU as facilitators.
