This digital platform constitutes an overview of architectural and urban related works created under the umbrella of a collaborative motivated by the pursuit of realizing ideas that address fluctuating questions of: scale (from urban to interior), necessity, use, and locality, alongside the valuable contributions from other peers. This working structure does not find its roots within a fixed and distilled image that a brand denotes, but rather allows for circumstance and situation to define the scope and nature of the work created.
Defining features of the collaborative model, under which Influx practices, provides conditions for the following:
- flexibility in the production of ideas at various stages of realization, through the identification of specific shared interests and goals;
- elasticity of working structure in order to rethink and question topics of study with added depth and accuracy;
- recognition of the complex character of the architectural practice today, which benefits from collaborative events.
The projects displayed here are in the format of a frank discussion, which delineates some of the issues and questions that arise during the process of thinking, researching, drawing, envisioning and realizing such constructs. The available category and tag filters allow multiple navigations through the landscape of interwoven themes present in the projects.
Identity and place
The interest in these topics is grounded within life experiences and various circumstances of immersion in profoundly diverse cultures and patterns of urban life, in Europe, North America and Asia.
We believe inspirational ideas, or even solutions to problems, may be found in radically different contexts. At the same time a sensitive awareness must be present to acknowledge not all ideas should migrate from one context to another without careful consideration. Nevertheless horizons of possibility can be gained from direct exposure to foreign conditions – which is unique today, yet also an equally enduring issue with many historical forms.
The intricate urban pattern of growing cities like modern Hong Kong, or the profoundly distinct condition of a remote urban agglomeration in the south-east of Finland embody intriguing issues in equal measure.
Medium
We find it is fundamental to reflect on the methods of communication of architectural production. Be it through drawing, text or other mediums of expression, which in themselves are not necessarily novel, but dynamic tools of expression. Innovation is not limited to one particular medium in the built environment, but rather touches on many realms of the human experience that necessitate different forms of communication and expression, in order to appropriately address issues of use, scale, time, and complexity.
When considering the communication mediums, the permanent condition of ceaseless change may at times be opposed to the recurrent contemporary means of displaying architecture and urban design, often characterized by an over-celebratory tone of achievement. The proliferation of contemporary discussions meant for the purposes of procuring new clients and business, often skim the depths of the role that architecture and urbanity play in our lives.
We find it necessary to develop arguments: from reflexive topics, to designed and construction-ready solutions. The opportunity to reflect, deliberate, and develop a set of ideas through practice, the intertwining of “theory” and “practice”, is all the more necessary in the fast-pace of contemporary life. Ultimately these interests reside in clearing a path to dynamic collaboration in contemporary practice, with designers, clients, builders and others; as knowledge is created by a plurality of shared experiences and visions.