Doctoral Project
Le Technicien Plasticien: Fernand Pouillon – Building for Algiers 1953–1958
Doctoral Project
Michaela Türtscher
Prof. Dr. Laurent Stalder
Since 2013
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French architect Fernand Pouillon (1912–1986) made a substantial contribution to twentieth-century architecture with his projects. Sceptical about the ideas of international modernism, he developed his own approach to meeting the urban, architectural and design requirements of his era. During the years of post-war reconstruction, with housing and other resources in short supply and the threat of the Algerian war already palpable, cost-effective and rapidly realisable solutions were urgently needed. Pouillon’s response to this challenge was to comprehensively rationalise traditional construction methods and processes. Thanks to the modular design of his projects he was able to optimise the efficacy of his operations without compromising the urban complexity and creative range of his architecture. The project seeks to comprehensively examine Pouillon’s methods as exemplified by the housing projects he developed in Algiers in the 1950s. While research to date pertains mainly to formal aspects of his architecture, the scope of inquiry here is consciously broadened to encompass strategic, economic and structural factors and thus facilitate a reappraisal of his work.
Michaela Türtscher
Michaela Türtscher
Prof. Dr. Laurent Stalder
Since 2013
[pic-nolightbox-20171208-180602-z698.jpg]
French architect Fernand Pouillon (1912–1986) made a substantial contribution to twentieth-century architecture with his projects. Sceptical about the ideas of international modernism, he developed his own approach to meeting the urban, architectural and design requirements of his era. During the years of post-war reconstruction, with housing and other resources in short supply and the threat of the Algerian war already palpable, cost-effective and rapidly realisable solutions were urgently needed. Pouillon’s response to this challenge was to comprehensively rationalise traditional construction methods and processes. Thanks to the modular design of his projects he was able to optimise the efficacy of his operations without compromising the urban complexity and creative range of his architecture. The project seeks to comprehensively examine Pouillon’s methods as exemplified by the housing projects he developed in Algiers in the 1950s. While research to date pertains mainly to formal aspects of his architecture, the scope of inquiry here is consciously broadened to encompass strategic, economic and structural factors and thus facilitate a reappraisal of his work.
Contact
Michaela Türtscher
