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INTER 11
UNIT SUMMARY

INTER11 will imagine a new form of environmental consciousness is therefore a world project necessitated
politics through the design of yet-unimagined ways of upon monumental co-operation between the whole of
politicking in the 21st century. From the globe to the civilisation. If, as Lebbeus Woods stated, ‘architecture
room to the street, students will traverse scales and time is a political act’, how can architecture be designed in
to explore the purest monumental expression of politics service of a new environmental politics?
and architecture.
In 1943, Josep Lluís Sert, Fernand Léger and Sigfried
A Pavilion for Parliament is a screenprint made by Giedion wrote a manifesto entitled ‘Nine Points on
sculptor Bruce McLean in 1998. The image shows the Monumentality’.
Houses of Parliament in London with a conical gold
structure to their left. According to McLean, this new Within it, they claimed that ’Monuments are human
‘dish of decision not dome of division’ functions as a landmarks which men have created as symbols for their
‘parallel parliament’. It offers citizens an alternative ideals, for their aims and for their actions.’ This triad of
political assembly. The project appears to be a new form ideals-aims-actions is a call to arms for the 21st-century
of monument. architect. Seen through this lens, architecture might be
elevated from a mere object of utility or wealth-creation
Today, society is increasingly critical of monuments and into a new realm which shapes society and projects
the histories that produced them. This begs the question: optimistically into the future.
what constitutes a monument today? Are they big, small,
digital or intangible? Are they data centres, plastics, It is our conviction that architects can design out
tweets, empathy? Perhaps the environment is our most of crisis. Doing so will not happen only by making
precious yet elusive monument. Abstract yet real, our sustainable, energy conscious architecture; true
shared feeling for the environment is a fundamental part sustainable architecture is one that advances the
of being human. Developing environmental environmental consciousness of the world.
A Pavilion for Parliament
screenprint by Bruce McLean, 1998
 ‘A Pavilion for Parliament’
screenprint by Bruce McLean, 1998
“..but I believe that communication and dialogue have Unit questions
taken on a new specific weight and urgency in modern
times, because subjectivity and inwardness have become
at once richer and more intensely developed, and more Can you design a new parliament
lonely and entrapped, than they ever were before. In such
a context, communication and dialogue become both that captures the imagination of a
a desperate need and a primary source of delight. In a society?
world where meanings melt into air, these experiences
are among the few solid sources of meaning we can count
on. One of the things that can make modern life worth How do you engage with the historic
living is the enhanced opportunities it offers us - and Palace of Westminster, its traditions,
sometimes even forces on us - to talk together, to reach
and understand each other. We need to make the most of its system, whilst projecting into the
these possibilities; they should shape the way we organise unknown future?
our cities and our lives.”

All That Is Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Can a building and the events that
Modernity, by Marshall Berman (philosopher), 1982
unfold within it, express ideals,
aims and actions? In other words,
“We live in a schizophrenic period. we’re living in a world
that is technological and primordial simultaneously. I
can a 21st century architectural
guess the idea is to make art that reflects this premise.” monument stimulate environmental
Sculpture in Reverse, by Michael Heizer (artist), 1984
consciousness?

‘The Fight Between Carnival and Lent ‘

painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1559
Inter 11 field trips and studio culture
Environmental Manifesto

Can a public space of politics stimulate environmental

consciousness in citizens? To explore this question we
are designing a new type of architecture and urbanism
that captures the imagination of citizens and engages
them in a new form of environmental politics. Our
projects will explore the nature of a 21st century
monumentality that embodies and enables new ideals,
aims and actions. It is our conviction that architects can
design out of crisis. Doing so will not happen only by
making sustainable, energy conscious architecture; true
sustainable architecture is one that proactively advances
the environmental consciousness of the world.

Geoscope Mini Earth monument to envision metabolic flows of

energy, food, water and military movements around the globe.
Project proposal by Buckminster Fuller for United Nations, 1956
 Working methods

In this unit we make to think.

Models can be made in 20 seconds or 20 days. They

can be made from butter, wood, clay, whatever you
can master. Drawings too, we make quick impulsive
sketches as well as slower architectural drawings
that are precise and atmospheric. We use charcoal,
ink, paint, mud - there are no rules in this unit.
Sculptures, collages and paintings can develop
alongside drawings, models and films. These works
are combined to create a project manifesto which is
inspired by the exploratory potential of other artforms
whilst being rooted in the discipline of architecture.

model of city project by Michael Heizer

circa 1970
‘All the earth we fail to see’, cast model by Samuel Shapin, Inter 11, 2023/24
‘The Live Museum’, painted zero degree axonometric by Zeynep Mustu, Inter 11, 2023/24
‘The United States of Britain’, ink axonometric by Christian James Harris, Inter 11, 2023/24
‘The Inverted Zoo’, collage plan by Haoran Cui, Inter 11, 2023/24
Term 1: ‘Ideals’

In term one we are formulating ideas. We will develop a At the global scale we will consider environmental
project manifesto, a project brief and an initial glimpse politics and how the world conducts this project via
of a possible architectural project to come. summits, delegations and activist movements. The
monumentality of a new environmental politics will
We start with the fundamentals. What is politics and be explored by looking at architectural precedents
where does it happen? We will explore these questions and readings that consider ideal political spaces and
by reading, talking and walking through London, the architecture at a range of scales. How much or how little
steps of St Paul’s Cathedral, the pub, the speakers’ corner, architecture is needed to produce a space of politics? We
under the bridge, on the train. From the formal to the will make models and a group based monumental matrix
informal to the appropriated, we will try to understand to bring us closer to an idea of what monumentality
the nature of political spaces in the present to consider might mean in the 21st century.
their evolution for the future.

We will visit the city of Westminster and the houses of

Parliament as the existing home of politics in Britain.
We are surveyors. The intention is to observe the
building, the city, the system and the culture. We are
also architects. We then use drawings, models, collage
and experiments in the public realm to consider the
possible transformation of that present reality. This is
the departure point to be able to consider alternative and
ideal ways of politicking.

diagram of Saitama Arena

competition proposal (unrealised) by OMA 1994
Term 2: ‘Aims’

In term two we are principally concerned with the This term is about delving into and experimenting with
development of an architectural project through making the physical manifestation of our project ideas. We are
and drawing. Studies at a range of different scales interested in the substance of your architecture and
will enable us to test and develop the nature of our how it creates a new space for appearing publicly. We
propositions, their scale, functioning, atmosphere and will explore a range of possible project ideas in order to
relation to city, street and globe. evaluate and arrive at the purest resolution of the briefs
and manifestos that were set out in term one.
Our visit to Hooke Park early in this term will give
us an opportunity to experiment at varying scales,
directly engage with natural materials and to test forms
of monumentality. One of the key parameters of the
unit is to work ’hyperlocally’ with material, meaning
we will develop projects made from material in close
proximity to the city of Westminster. This requires us to
be inventive, economical and ultimately knowledgeable
about material and how it is brought together.

Hannah Arendt’s space of public appearance is an

important concept that we will grapple with. Your
architectural response should have a clear intention
about how it will engage and make possible a new type of
space where environmental politics can unfold.

drawing of Saitama Arena

competition proposal (unrealised) by OMA 1994
Term 3: ‘Actions’

In term three we will explore and present our projects A key task in this term is to make and animate a
as fragments from the past. We will do this through the physical model to tell the story of our projects. We are
development of a model and film. scenographers. Consider the model a stage set to capture
the essence of the human and social experience, the
We are journalists. It’s the future. We are looking back at atmosphere, the events, the communication. Alongside
the projects we designed. model footage, other media including archive footage,
movie extracts and documentary clips can be included
What happened? to tell the story of the emergence, the unfolding and
Did the architecture inject a new type of politics into the the consequences of our projects. This should also be
city and how was it used by society? overlaid with our work, thoughts and research from
Did the dissemination of ideas and the decision making previous terms, which is an inventory of material that
processes change? can be used to narrate and present the project as a mixed
Did a new type of monumentality capture the media manifesto.
imagination of the populus and if so, how?
Did culture change and did people become more
environmentally conscious?

perspective of Saitama Arena

competition proposal (unrealised) by OMA 1994
Unit Trip:

Our unit trip will take place in term 1 subject to visa

arrangements. We will travel to Berlin. We will visit
monuments of all types, from parliamentary cupolas,
to post industrial landscapes, nightclubs, bunkers,
sculpture parks, memorials, rubble hills, burial
grounds and more. We will experience public spaces,
infrastructures and events that will hopefully give new
insights into alternative possibilities of politics and
monumentality. It is estimated that this trip will cost
each student between 700-900 GBP including flights,
accommodation, food and entry costs to places of
interest.

The Feuerle Collection,

Berlin
 Friday Forum:

The ‘Friday Forum’ is a moment for our unit to initiate

political happenings. These are events which enable
us to test how to gather people, discuss, share ideas
and make decisions. The intention is to create new
ways to benefit from the collective intelligence of the
AA and to create a platform for the unit to think and
act.

Studio sessions:

In this unit we will develop projects in a hands-

on way. It is expected that each studio session is
conducted through printed out work, hand-drawn
work and models. We will record our work week by
week using an A2 portfolio which should be brought
to each session. We have an A3 printer for the unit
space which we should use to experiment with work
at a range of scales. All studio sessions are mandatory
and as always we would like to foster a culture of
sharing and discovery. You are not competitors, you
are critical friends and collaborators. For a glimpse of
our studio go to our unit instagram.
@aa_inter11

Andy Worhol Silver Factory,

circa 1970
 PARALLEL PARLIAMENT

SUMMARY AGENDA: YEAR 2024/25

Structure Key dates

Week 1 Interviews
Week 2 Unit introduction & experiments
Parliamentary Term 1

Week 3 Site visit Westminster

Week 4 Friday Forum
Week 5 Progess review
Week 6 Climate matters week & Friday Forum
IDEALS Week 7 Unit trip to Berlin
Week 8 Tutorials
Week 9 Monumental matrix & Friday Forum
Week 10 Tutorials
Week 11 Tutorials
Week 12 Final review & feedback

Week 1 Group discussion

Week 2 Hooke Park
Parliamentary Term 2

Week 3 Tutorials & workshop

Week 4 Progress review & Friday Forum
Week 5 Tutorials & Drawing matter visit
AIMS Week 6 Tutorials & workshop
Week 7 Tutorials
Week 8 Tutorials
Week 9 ETS Interim Jury (late option)
Week 10 Second year previews
Week 11 Third year previews

Week 1 Progress review & ETS submission

Parliamentary Term 3

Week 2 Tutorials & Friday Forum

Week 3 Tutorials
Week 4 Tutorials
ACTIONS Week 5 Superjury
Week 6 Tutorials
Week 7 Second year reviews
Week 8 Third year reviews
Week 9 RIBA Examination & Graduation

Tahrir Square,
Cairo Egypt 2011
Reading list
The Republic, by Plato, 375 BC The Culture of Cities, by Lewis Mumford, 1938 (with essay the
The Human Condition, by Hannah Ahrendt, 1958 death of the monument)
Consciousness Explained, by Daniel C. Dennett, 1993 When Attitudes Become Form: Bern 1969 / Venice 2013
The Ascent of Man, by Jacob Bronowski, 1973 Celant,by Germano Celant, Harald Szeemann, 2013
Aesthetics Equals Politics, by Mark Foster Gage, 2019 Manifesto Architecture The Ghost of Mies, by Beatriz
Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime, by Bruno Colomina 2020
Latour, 2018 Radical Pedagogies : Architectural Education and the British
Four Walls and a Roof: The Complex Nature of a Simple Tradition by Beatriz Colomina
Profession, by Reinier de Graaf, 2017 Building the Revolution: Soviet Art and Architecture 1915-
All That Is Solid Melts Into Air: The Experience of Modernity, 1935, by Jean-Louis Cohen, 2011
by Marshall Berman, 1982 The Future of Architecture Since 1889: A Worldwide History
Eros and Civilization: A Philosophical Inquiry into Freud, by by Jean-Louis Cohen, 2016
Herbert Marcuse, 1955 Architecture and Utopia: Design and Capitalist Development
Uncommon Ground – Rethinking the Human Place in Nature, by Manfredo Tafuri, 1973
by William Cronon, 1998 Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth, by R. Buckminster
The conditions of postmodernity, by David Harvey, 1991 Fuller, 1969
The Iconography of Landscape: Essays on the Symbolic Oppositions Reader: Selected Essays 1973-84, by Michael
Representation, Design and Use of Past Environments,by Hays, 1999
Denis Cosgrove and Stephen Daniels, 1989 Non-Referential Architecture, Ideated by Valerio Olgiati, 2021
Styles of Radical Will, by Susan Sontag, 1969 For an Architecture of Reality, by Michael Benedikt, 1988
Culture and Anarchy, by Matthew Arnold, 1869 Herzog & de Meuron: Natural History, by Philip Ursprung
Architecture You and Me: The Diary of a Development, (Editor), 2005
by Sigfried Giedion, 1958 (with essay Nine Points On S, M, L, XL, by Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau, 1995
Monumentality, J. L. Sert, F. Léger, S. Giedion. 1943) Content by Rem Koolhaas & OMA, 2003
The World as an Architectural Project, by Hashim Sarkis, Roi Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures; a
Salgueiro Barrio and Gabriel Kozlowski, 2020 Handbook, by Andrea Deplazes, 2008
Sculpture in Reverse, by Michael Heizer (artist), Julia Brown
(editor), 1984

A room containing ‘memory of the world’, Bibliothèque nationale,

unrealised proposal by Etienne-Louis Boullée 1785
Tutor Biographies

Paul Francis Feeney and Marie-Louise Raue are co-

founders of FAR, a practice that involves building,
research, social and artistic pursuits. Paul and Lise have
worked with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture
and Herzog & deMeuron architects. Paul completed
his Master in Architecture at Duncan of Jordanstone
School of Art in Scotland, Lise graduated from the AA.
They previously taught in Southeast Asia and live on the
Jurassic coast of the UK.

website https://feeneyraue.com/
instagram @feeney_and_raue

project opening civic celebration, bad dancing,

FAR Thailand 2019
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