Over the past decade, the confluence of diverse cultural and disciplinary perspectives in our globally networked society, new forms of cultural mobility, and a growing recognition of the power of technology to optimize design, fabrication, and implementation processes have transformed the field of architecture. Seeking alternatives to pure techno-optimism, the ACADIA 2017 faculty exhibition explores how the criticality and responsibility of architecture is now articulated through the use and development of new technologies in different contexts. What are the new social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic challenges and responsibilities that can be addressed through architectural technologies? Optimism highlights several visionary projects and design work by SA+P faculty from various departments and disciplinary groups in which methods, processes, and techniques have been developed or discovered that involve the use of computers in architecture to make a meaningful impact on the discipline and/or society at large, for example by embracing tolerance and inclusiveness to promote social change, deepen civic engagement, and empower human networks through context-sensitive, politically engaged, and environmentally responsible approaches.
Curatorial concept: Azra Akšamija, William O’Brien Jr.
Exhibited faculty: Gabriella Carolini, Rania Ghosn (and El Hadi Jazairy), Mariana Iba.ez (and Simon Kim), Lauren Jacobi,
Joel Lamere (GLD), Takehiko Nagakura (and Woong Ki Sung), William O’Brien Jr., Cristina Parre.o (Cristina Parre.o
Architecture), Rafi Segal, Skylar Tibbits (Self-Assembly Lab), Sarah Williams
Exhibition committee: Tom Gearty, James Harrington, Takehiko Nagakura, Skylar Tibbits, Melissa Vaughn
Production: Joshuah Jest (design and production lead, photography); Irina Chernyakova, Patricia Driscoll, Dineen Doucette, Marianna Gonzalez, Chris Haynes, John Steiner, Joseph Swerdlin (production team)
Sponsoring: ACADIA 2017, SA+P Office of the Dean, Department of Architecture
MIT campus / Lobby 9
Exhibition of faculty work from MIT School of Architecture and Planning
Co-curated with William O’Brien Jr.
Duration: 2 November 2017 - 5 February 2018