Exceptional architecture, learning processes, and the contradictory performativity of norms and standards

Figures & data

Figure 1. The innovative glass panels for the curved façade of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, which required, among other things, the development of new glass specifications. © Stephan Liebl.

Table 1. (Micro-)moments of facilitating learning.

	Type of project	Challenge	Means	Collaborations	Geography	Outcomes/Learning processes
	High-rise structure	Lack of standardization and specifications for a curved glass façade (materials and products that still have not been developed/ are not certified for the market) (see Figure 1)	Embodied process, relying on a variety of artefacts; subcontractors need to acquire new tools (e.g. furnace) as well conduct a set of experiments and simulations at different locations; initiation of numerous individual approvals	Industry (a wide range of subcontractors, specializing in glass production) – façade engineers (as planners) –architects (design) – universities /research institutes	Spanning between the architects’ office, research laboratory, workshop/atelier of the subcontractor and the construction site	Knowledge is generated amongst a wide range of specialized executing firms; not yet integrated in norms but can be utilized in future projects and for development of new norms and glass specifications
	Infrastructural project	Identifying the best qualified project partners due to the restrictive allocating and bidding processes (see Figure 2)	Developing and building samples and mock-ups in advance, before the official commissioning of subcontractors, and presenting those to the client (in secrecy, without public announcement)	Planners (architects, engineers, artists etc.) – sub/contractors – clients (e.g. public administration)	Spanning between different artists’ ateliers, firms’ workshops and construction site (where results were presented)	Planning and executing firms: learning through the making of mock-ups; gaining crucial knowledge for the actual execution of the project Public administration: adapting existing procurement processes; setting focus on quality instead of cost efficiency in the commissioning
	Infrastructural project	Lack of regulatory framework for the execution of vertical and overhead glazing (see Figure 4)	Developing and conducting a number of specific experiments; considering numerous factors, including the probability of the glass breaking or failing, as well as how to clean and maintain the glass surfaces and how to integrate photovoltaic cells	Test engineers and surveyors, on behalf of the federal (e.g. railway) authorities	Research laboratories and workshops	Nowadays vertical and overhead glazing are standard products based on specific norms, as are the different testing methods used
	High-rise structure	Developing wall cladding with high acoustic qualities that conforms to safety regulations for public buildings (see Figure 3)	Conducting tests and simulations; developing new types of plaster; acquiring new digital tools (to programme algorithms) and machines (CNC cutter); building a 1:10 model to test acoustic qualities	Industry (manufacturers, large and middle-sized firms) – acoustic engineers and architects	Various workshops	A new material has been integrated in the product catalogue of one of the firms

Figure 2. Developing mock-ups in advance for the new underground rapid transit line in Düsseldorf, which served to identify the best qualified project partners. © Ingo Lammert.

Figure 3. First time execution of vertical and overhead glazing in Germany at Berlin Central Station, which presupposed the development of new regulatory frameworks. © schlaich bergermann partner.

Figure 4. The processing of the innovative acoustic panels for the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, for which Hasenkopf Industrie Manufaktur GmbH was commissioned. © Christian Höhn | www.hasenkopf.de.

Table 2. (Micro-)moments of hindering learning.

	Type of project	Challenge	Means			Outcomes/Learning processes
	High-rise structure	Identifying potential firms willing to execute the curved glass façade	Two firms proved unwilling to take on the challenge of developing non-standardized glass products, considering the task too risky, as well as due to the rigidity of regulatory frameworks – in result, unwilling to acquire the needed equipment and adopt the respective skills			Specialized knowledge in glass making is concentrated in a small number of firms; Long-term impact on the professional culture and working practices of certain firms (risk-averse), and thus on the built and urban environment
	Infrastructural project	Transferring specific solutions to new projects – individual approvals are property of the respective client/project owner	Built solutions that have yet not been standardized cannot be used as a reference/proof of feasibility for future projects			Experiments and tests need to be conducted anew, which is time-, cost- and effort-consuming