In the past few years, our relationships with and attitudes towards food, health, energy, space, time, social relationships and (economic) value have spiralled out of control. Now, faced with the consequences of our over-consumption, we are desperately in search of ways to redress the balance. Is architecture able to play a part in restoring harmony? Can architecture help us to build a more sustainable society?


^{Project "Eichbaumoper" by Raumlaborberlin - Photo: Rainer Schlautmann}

Testify! presents 25 international projects by different architects, all concerned with addressing these issues. Residents, users and people living near the projects get a chance to have their say, and to comment on why they think the architect’s vision is a success – or not. The projects range from actual buildings to experimental and inter-disciplinary think-tanks and research groups.

A sense of urgency and a need to tackle real issues are not the only forces behind the exhibition; energy, optimism and a passion to come up with ideas that can truly make a difference are also what drives the projects of these international designers.

Eichbaumoper
‘Eichbaum’, for instance, is a subway station half-way between the U18 line in the German Ruhr area. At the time it was built, 30 years ago, Eichbaum was considered the epitome of contemporary architecture. Today, the station has fallen into disrepair, and is haunted by violence and vandalism. Over the years, the public transportation authorities installed CCTV cameras and fencing to make the station a safer place, but despite their efforts, ‘Eichbaum’ seemed irredeemable.

However, in their remarkable project, architects of the German ‘Raumlabor team’ transformed the station into an opera house that goes by the name of ‘Eichbaumoper’. The opera house reveals an astonishing panorama of the station’s history based on the stories and ideas of the builders, staff and users. Changing people’s perceptions of the station and actively involving members of the public in the project were the most significant factors in making the station into a more pleasant, safer public place. Thanks to the opera house, what was once a desolate, hostile place has become a place of opportunities and a centre for cultural and community activities. The success of the project also triggered other amazing improvements in the local neighbourhood and community.

When and where?
Testify! is on display at the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam (NL) until 13 November 2011 after which the exhibition will go on tour. If all goes according to plan, Testify! will visit different international locations in the next two to four years.

Interested?
To exhibit Testify! at your venue please contact NAI International Projects, +31 (0)10-4401290 or email.
Or see for more information the factsheet.

Testify! continues in the same vein as the exhibition ‘Architecture of Consequence’, which hosted by the NAI in the spring of 2010. Architecture of Consequence highlighted Dutch designs that were also inspired by the ambition to help create a sustainable future.

> Interview with the curator Lukas Feireiss