Wintersemester 2025/26
TU Berlin, FG ArchitekturtheorieSeminar Typologies of Transformation
In contemporary architectural discourse, the imperative of Umbau—encompassing adaptive reuse, continual transformation, and the act of building upon the built—fundamentally challenges inherited notions of architectural production and authorial invention. In this intensive one-week seminar, Professor Andreas Lechner explores the evolving relationship between architectural craftsmanship and the strategies of transformation. Drawing from his recent publication, Architectural Affordances – Typologies of Umbau (2025), Lechner articulates ‘Umbau’ as a sophisticated mode of architectural thinking and making—one that exceeds mere technical renovation and engages in a nuanced dialogue with typology, historical continuity, and material articulation.
Structured around theoretical inquiry, typological analysis, and drawing-based research, the seminar invites participants to identify and interpret the latent spatial potentials—architectural affordances—embedded in existing structures. These affordances, understood as both ecological and cultural prompts, offer new ways of engaging with the resilience, adaptability, and social intelligence of the built environment. Through critical readings and case studies, students will examine the dialectics of permanence and transformation, of memory and reinvention, ultimately reframing Umbau not simply as a subset of practice but as architecture’s disciplinary core—at once critical praxis and artistic endeavor.
This concentrated exploration aims to equip participants with refined conceptual tools and spatial literacy, enabling a more ethically attuned and ecologically responsive engagement with the architectural heritage. In doing so, the seminar advances Um-Bau-Kunst as a necessary and vital architectural response to the entangled cultural, environmental, and societal challenges of our time.
Counterintuitive Typologies
Research Group
Associate Professor
Dr. Andreas Lechner
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Funded by
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Research Group
Associate Professor
Dr. Andreas Lechner
Copyright
The information provided by the individual institutes and other facilities of Graz University of Technology as well as the other information providers is compiled independently by them, and entered into the system.
© Copyright unless otherwise indicated of Andreas Lechner or the authors or of Graz University of Technology
Privacy Statement
Datenschutzerklärung
For more information on privacy: http://datenschutz.tugraz.at
Supported by cargo.site
Last update: 02/02/2025
Funded by
Austrian Research Promotion Agency
Liability
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The entire content of the Counterintuitive Typologies website has been compiled with the greatest care and to the best of our knowledge. However, we can assume no liability for the actuality, completeness and correctness of all the web pages. Content shall be removed immediately from the time that knowledge of a specific infringement of rights is obtained; TU Graz shall not be held liable before this time.
This website contains links to the websites of third parties; TU Graz has no influence over the content of such websites and shall therefore assume no liability for them.
The relevant information provider of the website shall be held responsible for the content and correctness of this information. When the link to the website of the third party was inserted, no infringements of rights were discernible. If TU Graz is made aware of an infringement of rights, the relevant link shall be removed immediately.
The content and works published on this website are subject to copyright. Any kind of reproduction, editing, dissemination and any kind of use beyond the limits of the copyright shall require the prior written consent of the relevant author.
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Contact
Forschungsgruppe
Counterintuitive Typologies
Graz University of Technology
Institute of Design & Building Typology
Lessingstrasse 25/IV
A-8010 Graz
AUSTRIA
E: andreas.lechner (at) tugraz.at
TU Graz states explicitly that the transmission of data on the Internet (e.g. by email) can pose security risks. Complete data protection against access by third parties cannot be guaranteed. TU Graz shall assume no liability for any damage incurred as a consequence of such security risks. The use of published contact details by third parties for the purpose of advertising is explicitly prohibited. TU Graz reserves the right to take legal action in the event that unsolicited advertising information is sent (e.g. in the form of spam emails).
Contact
Forschungsgruppe
Counterintuitive Typologies
Graz University of Technology
Institute of Design & Building Typology
Lessingstrasse 25/IV
A-8010 Graz
AUSTRIA
E: andreas.lechner (at) tugraz.at