François Roche: skyzoid machines & ecosophical apparatuses

François Roche is the founder and principal of the architectural office R&Sie(n), based in Paris. Roche will discuss the organic, oppositional architectural projects of their practice which are concerned with the bond between building, context and human relations. Roche will explain his concept of “spoiled climate’’ chameleon architecture, which links and hybrids of the human body to the body of architecture by a re-scenarization on the rules of nature. “Making with…” is Roche’s way of describing their research into a critical experience of architecture through a mutation of contextual parameters. Scenarios of hybridization, grafting, cloning and morphing give rise to perpetual transformation of architecture which strives to break down the antinomies of object/subject or object/territory. Experimental and inventive, the architecture of R&Sie(n) seeks to be profoundly critical; an architecture that is articulated as multiple narrative apparatus and relationship strategy made of substances from each situation. François Roche has taught at the Bartlett School in London; Vienna University of Technology; Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona; École Spéciale d’Architecture, Paris; University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Columbia University, NY. He has lectured the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Harvard Graduate School of Design; Architectural Association School of Architecture, London; the University of California, Los Angeles and the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Their projects have been exhibited at Columbia University, NY, 1999-2000; University of California, Los Angeles, 1999-2000; ICA, London, 2001; Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, 2004; Pompidou Center, Paris, 2004; MAM/Musee d'Art Moderne, Paris, 2005 and 2006; MIT's Media Lab, Cambridge, 2006; Tate Modern, London, 2006; Orléans/ArchiLab International Architectural Conference, 1999, 2001 and 2003. R&Sie(n) were among the architects selected by France for the 1990, 1996, 2000 and 2002 Venice Architectural Biennale. François Roche holds the AC Martin Visiting Professorship in Architectural Design Chair. This endowment stands as a lasting tribute to the Martin architectural legacy, and to their outstanding leadership. The endowment funds a distinguished visiting faculty member whose teaching will instill the philosophical leadership of the various design disciplines of the architectural team and help young students uphold the ideals of the Master Builder. Lectures are free and open to the public. They are located in the Gin D. Wong, FAIA Conference Center, Harris Hall, on the University Park campus. No reservations are required. Parking is available on campus at Gate 1 off Exposition Blvd. USC School of Architecture