Canton Mars

In today’s networked, real-time society, we know almost everything about the here-and-now but only a little about what comes next: the future. At the same time, the speculative exploration of the future is omnipresent. In movies, computer games, novels, and even in the arts sections of newspapers, we deal almost obsessively with scenarios for tomorrow.Political debates are also fundamentally concerned with questions about the future. Theories and movements that take a more critical view and urge a departure from the current mandate for growth and expansion are more present than ever. Narratives of the future, which are often dystopian in character, and myths of the past, which are predominantly nostalgic, stand in contrast to one another.

What sorts of stories do we tell each other about the future and why?

In his Mars trilogy, Kim Stanley Robinson describes the colonization of the “Red Planet,” using this scenario as an opportunity to sketch alter-native proposals for society that develop and evolve in competition with one another. Together with Philipp Theisohn and Markus Schaefer, Robinson will consider the role of “speculative fiction” and of storytellingas a future technology.

“Canton Mars“ functions as a projection screen for narratives and myths.It offers a glimpse of Switzerland and the future, our longing for it and our fear of it.

Kim Stanley Robinson, Author – the Mars trilogy
Philipp Theisohn, Literary Studies Scholar and Professor of the SNSF Research Project‚ “Conditio extraterrestris,” Universität Zürich
Markus Schaefer, Architect – Co-Curator of the Salon Suisse 2014 and Partner, Hosoya Schaefer Architects

The discussion will take place in English and is a satellite event of Salon Suisse, which is organized by Pro Helvetia at the 2014 Architecture Biennale in Venice.

 

Time: September 10, 2014 at 20:15
Place: Seebad Utoquai, Zurich

 

Projects

Architecture

Herrliberg-Feldmeilen station, 2020 –
Current state: framework plan

Haus Myrte, Wädenswil, 2022 –
Current phase: tender

House Renovation, Geneva, 2021 –
Current phase: ongoing

Airport Engadin, St. Moritz, 2020 –
Current phase: construction project

Cooperative Housing, Wetzikon, 2020 –
Current phase: tender

Fabrik.sg, 2020 –
Current phase: Project phases design to operation

ZHA, Boulevard, Hönggerberg Campus, 2020 –
Current state: ongoing (with Studio Vulkan)

Wilhelmsburg Rowing Club, 2020 –
Current phase: execution planning

Primary School Christoph Merian, Basel, 2019 –
Current phase: construction project

Station Square and Roof, Herisau 2015 –
Current phase: tender

MEWA-Areal, Wädenswil, 2018 –
Transformation Project from the former industrial estate to the mixed-use development with housing
Current phase: framework plan

Viererfeld, Bern, 2018 –
Housing
Current phase: on hold

Urban Design

Bahnhof Romanshorn, 2022 –
Current state: study (with Sudio Vulkan)

Kaserne Aarau, 2022 –
Current state: urban framework

Areale Wittenbach, 2022 –
Current state: urban design commission

Stiftungsareal Neumünster, 2022 –
Current state: study

Kieler Schloss, 2022 –
Current state: Public think tank on usage and architecture

Campus Heidelberg, 2021 –
Current state: Masterplan process, in-depth studies

Otterbach Süd, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Innovation Park Bergedorf, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework

Station Area Dietikon, 2019 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Campus Bochum, 2018 –
Current state: project support

Metalli, Zug, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Bahnstadt Nürtingen, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Areal Neugasse Zürich, 2016 –
Current state: completion of master plan, public consultation

Elbinselquartier Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, 2015 –
Current state: project support

Tech Cluster Zug, 2015 –
Current state: transformation plan

Station Herisau, 2013 –
Current state: areal development

KNZ Wil West, Thurgau / St. Gallen, 2011 –
Current state: project support

Urban System Research

Metaverse, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

Entwicklungskonzept Würzenbach, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

ESP Hochdorf, 2021 –
Current state: spatial-urban as well as use- and circular-based development concept

Deep Urbanism, 2021 –
Current state: ongoing

cividi gmbh – civic data intelligence, 2019 –
Digital tools for the analogue city
Current state: ongoing

Contact

Zürich office

Flüelastrasse 10, 8048 Zürich, Switzerland (Google Maps)
T. +41 43 243 6313 F.

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Kyoto office

Jimukinoueda bldg. 603, 21 Sakaicho, Gojo-Takakurakado, Shimogyoku, Kyoto 600-8191, Japan
T. +81 75 744 1503
office@hosoyaschaefer.com