10th SOPHIA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Landscapes of Repair - The Role of Photography and Film in Documenting the Legacy of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces

CONFERENCE LIVE STREAMING YOUTUBE
https://www.youtube.com/@etsabescolatecnicasuperior7980

Free prior registration: becaria.dpa@upc.edu

Book of abstracts

• Book of abstracts

The 10th Sophia Journal International Conference will present a live program organised by ETSAB - Barcelona School of Architecture - UPC, continuing the successful annual cycle of international forums dedicated to the critical exploration of the intersections between image and architecture.

Sophia Journal international conferences and are closely aligned with Sophia's peer-reviewed publication.

The conference emerges as a dynamic platform, enhancing global outreach and fostering deeper international collaboration, and will be addressing descriptive, analytical, and interpretative projects that offer a unique perception and new knowledge about the role of Photography and Film in Documenting the legacy of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces.

Encompassing a rich and diverse program around: (i) roundtables for each panel concerning a focused topic coming from Sophia´s comprehensive call; (ii) presentation of articles and visual essays submitted; (iii) The launch of the new Sophia Journal, Vol. 11. , (iv) Presentation of LFA Award and (v) Exhibition ARXIU ICARIÀ 1987 - 1992 / Coreografia d’un territori en transformació - Martí Llorens

 DESCRIPTION

This International Conference integrates the fourth thematic cycle “Landscapes of Repair”, encouraging a humanist approach to urban transformation that transcends purely economic considerations. By exploring the impactful realms of photography, film, and various visual practices, we aim to highlight their significant contributions to the discourse surrounding architectural programs. Our goal is to draw urgent attention to the necessity of repairing our fractured planet. In doing so, we also seek to address and connect the multitude of challenges that contemporary cities and territories around the world are grappling with. These visual mediums not only document but also critically engage with the diverse and complex issues of our time, offering a unique perspective on urban and environmental crises. Through this lens, we hope to foster a deeper understanding and inspire actionable solutions to the pressing problems facing our global communities.

Landscapes of Repair: The Role of Photography and Film in Documenting the Legacy of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces

The Role of Photography and Film in Documenting the Legacy of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces brings together theoretical and field-based research exploring how photography and film can document, interpret, and reimagine Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces. The conference examines architecture, cities, and landscapes as living, inclusive organisms—highlighting positive transformations, heritage resources, and the cultural, political, and ecological contexts shaping urban life.

Contributors will be presenting projects that use visual media to investigate the preservation of modern architectural heritage, reveal sites of transformation, trace diachronic changes in urban environments, and challenge dominant narratives. By integrating diverse documentary approaches—from scientific and archival to artistic and identity-driven—the conference aims to show how photography and film can deepen our understanding of the built environment and its evolving relationship with society.

The presentations will take place organised through round-tables dedicated to specific topics, where discussions revolve around theoretical work, and visual essays.           

Events

Visita biblioteca, exposición Biblioteca Oriol Bohigas de Martí Llorens (con Neus Vilaplana, directora) 

To strengthen the internationalization of these conferences, we are expanding the venues to include other esteemed institutions. Thus, the current international conference is hosted at UPC - Barcelona School of Architecture - E.T.S.A.B., further enhancing our global outreach and fostering deeper international collaboration. The 10th Sophia Journal International Conference marks the continuation of a series of conferences closely aligned with Sophia's peer-reviewed publication. Sophia supports and disseminates scientific research by publishing theoretical articles and visual essays that critically explore the intersections between image and architecture.

We are delighted to announce the upcoming 10th Sophia Journal International Conference, which constitutes an important forum for fostering reflection and debate within the realms of architecture, photography and image making centred on exploring how photography and film can document, interpret, and reimagine Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Public Spaces.

The organization extends its gratitude to all who will be attending and participating in this 10th Sophia Journal International Conference, and in this way strengthening its international network focused on the intersection of Photography and Architecture.

PROGRAMME

DATES

21st, 22nd November

21.11 | 9:30h—18:30h Sala de Graus, E.T.S.A.B.

PLACE

The Conference will be held in person and online at UPC - Barcelona School of Architecture E.T.S.A.B.

Conferences | Exhibition | Round tables | Presentations

ORGANIZING COORDINATORS
Cristina Gastón Guirao (ETSAB-UPC)
Pedro Leão Neto (CEAU-FAUP)

DETAILED INFORMATION FOR PANELS

9.30 / 10.00_ Opening remarks. Félix Solaguren Beascoa ( Director ETSAB), Pedro Leao Neto ( architect FAUP)  The launch of the new Sophia Journal, Vol. 11.

10.00-11.30 Panel 1_ Modernity 50’ 60’. Chairs: Jaime Ferrer

10.00 - 10.15     María Fernanda Jaua / Public Housing Caracas

10.15 - 10.30    Josep Oriol Ferrer Frau / Prefabrication Collective Housing Denmark

10.30 - 10.45    Domonkos Wettstein / Lake Balaton region/ Budapest ?

10.45 - 11.00    Gabriela Naranjo / Building Chicago

11.00 - 11.30    Round table discussion

11.30-12.00 Coffee break

12.00-12.30 Speaker: Cristina Gastón: Barcelona Under construction. 30 min

12.30-14.00 Panel 2_ Intermediate states. Chair: Cristina Gastón: 

12.30-12.45      Martí Llorens / Olimpic Village under construction

12.45-13.00      Sol Diéguez / Scaffolding Styles

13.00-13.15      Giulia Incico / Bern and Hilla Becher records of loss ?

13.15-13.30       Judit Taberna / Vuelos TAF

13.30-14.00       Round table discussion

14.00-15.00  Lunch break

15.00-15.30 Speaker: Pedro Leao Neto:  Presentation of the winning photography series and LFA Award Publication

15.30-17.00 Panel 3_ Other realities. Chairs: Judit Taberna. Luis Angel Dominguez

15.30-15.45      Mengfei Pan / Cardboard houses ?

15.45-16.00      Oskar Alvarado / Where flies unfold

16.00-16.15       Justin Fowler / Thin politics  ?

16.15-16.30      Alicia F Barranco / America’s dream  (online)

16.30-17.00      Round table discussion

17.00-17.30 Coffee break

17.30-18.15_ Invited Speaker: Manolo Laguillo

18.30-19.00 _Visita biblioteca, exposición en biblioteca de Martí LLorens

Sábado 22/11  a las 11h-13h.   Visita a Factoría Heliográfica,