LEARNING FROM. Bodies as vessels for radical architecture pedagogy during the 1970s
This PhD thesis examines the use of bodies as vessels in architectural pedagogy. In searching for answers to the pressing topics of ecology, technology, globalisation, and social justice, this thesis looks to 1970s pedagogies where bodies served as a tool for radical education. During this period, bodies left the typical classroom to travel, built ephemeral structures, discover the countryside, party, protest for better education, demand equality, and question the institutions.
Through an analysis of selective pedagogical experiments such as the Global Tools in Florence, the First Friday Dances in New York, The Halprin Workshop in California, and the F+F in Zurich, this thesis explores the possibility of “learning form”. As Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi suggest, “learning from” other bodies before us, serves not as a blueprint to replicate but, rather, as a tool for understanding that aims to develop something new from the past.
To this aim, this thesis discusses (1) the historical relationship between bodies and architectural pedagogy, and its critical role in shaping the design studio processes; (2) the milestone of 1970s pedagogical experiments where bodies redefined teaching and learning methodologies in architecture; and, (3) the possibilities of learning from and building upon to improve today’s studio processes.
Through a series of systematic examinations and action research, this PhD thesis explores the ways in which bodies can be used as a tool with which to address current pedagogical issues, drawing inspiration and learning from 1970s radical pedagogical experiments.
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More about Eleonora
Biography
Eleonora Antoniadou is an architect, an educator and a researcher. Herresearch focuses on bodies as learning tools in architectural pedagogy and as platforms for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. She explores the possibilities of learning from the radical pedagogies of the 1970s where bodies left the typical classroom to travel, build ephemeral structures, discover the countryside, party, protest for better education, demand equality, and question the institutions.
Since 2012, she has been an architecture educator at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels holding the position of Senior Lecturer. She taught at several Universities internationally including the University of Hertfordshire, Ravensbourne University, the Curatorial Course Venice,Oxford Brookes, Frederick University and the University of Nicosia.
She is the founding director of Superside Studio, an interdisciplinary practice dedicated to design, construction, and research. Her work and various collaborative projects have been awarded, published, and shown internationally including the 16th and 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, Architectural Association’s Gallery, Design Museum London, Copeland Gallery, Benaki Museum Athens, Point Gallery and Thkio Ppalies Cyprus.
Degrees
Eleonora holds a degree in Architecture from AUTH, an MA from the Architectural Association, and an MRes from the Royal College of Art, where she is currently a PhD candidate.
Awards
2021 Shortlisted for Best New Architecture in an Existing Building, Greek Architecture Award, Craft of Canning Museum, Livadia
2021 Distinction, 10th Biennale of Young Greek Architects, Craft of Canning Museum, Livadia
2017 1st Prize, Closed Competition, Urban Installation, Re- Horizon, Ayia Napa
2016 1st Prize, International Competition, Urban Design of the Old City Centre of Strovolos area, Cyprus
2016 1st Prize, International Competition, Pafos 2017 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, Green Shower
2016 1st Prize, Closed Competition, Design of CTO’s Expo International pavilions
2012 Shortlisted, National Competition, Emotive Typology: Cyprus National Entry at the 13th, Venice Architecture Biennale
2010 3rd Prize, International Competition, Rehabilitation of ‘Sednaoui Al khazendar’, Cairo
2010 Honorable Mention - International Competition, Design of Dasoupolis School, Nicosia
Exhibitions
2023 Reaserach Biennale RCA, “Hopscotch”, Copeland Gallery London, Work: Embodied space
2021 17th Venice Biennale, Cyprus Pavillion, Contributor, Work: System of Options
2021 Benaki Museum, 10th Biennale of Young Greek Architects, Work: Craft of Canning Museum
2020 Reaserach Biennale RCA, Work: Between Design and Digital
2019 Design Museum London, Group Exhibition, Work: ”Position”
2019 Thkio Ppalies, Exhibition-performance, Curation+ Installation Design: Superimposition
2018 16th Venice Biennale, Cyprus Pavillion, Contributor, Work: The Craft of Canning Museum
2018 AplusA Gallery, Venice, Co-Curating:All’estero & Dr. K takes the waters at Riva. Version A
2017 Architectural Association, AA xx 100: AA Women in Architecture 1917 -2017, Work: The Craft of Canning Museum
2015 Point Gallery, Cyprus Puzzle Collective, Work: Xs Summer workshop outcome