Local Code Venice / Ecology of Strangers workshop

Local Code Venice / Ecology of Strangers is a workshop, seminar, and design charrette to be held in the Venetian Lagoon and at the US Pavilion of the 13th Venice Architecture Biennale from September 21-23, 2012, as part of the US Pavilion exhibit Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good.

The workshop agenda will be to re-engage the historic interdependence between the city of Venice and the greater Venetian lagoon, by proposing a programmed, ecological redevelopment of the many dozens of abandoned islands that litter the lagoon’s outer horizon. Such work may be essential to Venice’s future, even as it mirrors the city and the lagoon’s historic interdependence.

Up to 20 participants will join Nicholas de Monchaux, a featured exhibitor in Spontaneous Interventions, workshop co-director Sandro Bisa, and a range of local architects, landscape ecologists, and urbanists for three days together in the lagoon. As well as background information on the lagoon, its changing ecology, and landscape of abandoned territory, the workshop will involve an introduction to the parametric urban design software —Local Code and the Finches plug-in for Rhino/Grasshopper — developed by de Monchaux and his collaborators at UC Berkeley (the use of this software by participants is encouraged, but by no means required).

Participants will have the opportunity to have design work leading from the workshop exhibited at the pavilion, (as part of a rotating display) from October 25 until November 25.

A part of the Bienalle’s scheduled activities, the workshop is free of charge to participants, including boat transport around the lagoon, and one night of lodging in the lagoon islands (subject to confirmation). Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Venice, as well as local lodging outside of the field visit. The primary language of the workshop will be English.

Applications are open to any interested partipant, and will be considered on a rolling basis until September 15, 2012, or until all slots are filled.

To learn more, and to apply, visit http://venice.localco.de/