Discipline Autonomy

Peter Eisenman discusses with architects and philosophers: Jörg H. Gleiter (Germany), Kim Förster (Switzerland), Preston Scott Cohen (USA), Emmanuel Petit (USA), Mario Carpo (USA), Sarah M. Whiting (USA), Manuel Orazi (Italy), John McMorrough (USA), Gabriele Mastrigli (Italy), Panayotis Pangalos (Greece), Cynthia Davidson (USA), Ingeborg M. Rocker (USA), Alejandro Zaera-Polo (USA), Djordje Stojanović (Serbia), Greg Lynn (USA) performing on the stage for two days in Belgrade. Through the structure of the monograph, the book represents a dynamic approach to the development of contemporary architectural thought. The dialogue between architects and philosophers with different social and cultural roots creates new agreements and reflections. In this chapter the authors are going to reconsider and reevaluate the borders of the discipline and its new roles shaped by the increasing influx of numerous social, technological, and environmental challenges. At the same time, the participants in the discussion share their perception of the current architectural flaws, emerging typologies, and contextual complexity. Has architecture become a tool, an interface, or a cross-section of our turbulent epoch? Should architecture as a discipline become more introverted or extroverted? Can it be oriented both toward the urban and urbanism and the interior? Is there a real danger that contemporary architecture might become too subordinated to new technological possibilities and remain ignorant of other ongoing processes in our fast-changing society?