Paradigm Weekly

Masters in Art & Architecture Elective Studio — TUNING

CAR TUNING FOR ARCHITECTS
In this elective, we will focus on the world of car tuning and relate its languages, media, artefacts and masterminds to those of architecture. How does the wide spectrum of tuning culture relate to the built environment, its fashions and aesthetics?
Tuning is understood as a modifying culture in which both performance and looks are altered. We believe that architecture derives its meaning from a similar and complex dance between performance and aesthetics, program and tectonics. By diving deep into the subcultural field of automotive extravaganza, we will discover strategies, slang, tricks and metaphors that exist in our domains also, but only reveal themselves by means of our extraterritorial detour.

SLEEPERS/DREAMERS

In this edition, we will become either SLEEPERS or DREAMERS. Sleeper cars are unassuming cars that are fully rebuilt, mostly to shame and destroy supercars at illegal street races. Focused on performance and skipping the looks, their philosophy could be applied to architectural performance also. But what about their opposites, so-called ricers? Isn’t aesthetic enhancement also empowering? Can’t we dream?

During this elective, we will take a deep dive into the sleeper-dreamer spectrum, and we will collectively build our trove of media, terms, footage and isms. And as we gradually become contradictory post-millennial archi-petrolheads, we will have to take sides...

STRUCTURE

STAGE 0: BOOK CLUB: TUNING ZINES
To warm up to our exotic deep dive, and since we’ll be both doing research and design, we need to borrow or build a way of looking at tuning. Luckily, our school library’s collection of car/tuning magazines is there for a first peek: in our second week we’ll organize a book club workshop to get our feet wet!
Goal: immersion, mining
Time: 1 session, week 2

STAGE 1A: TUNING RESEARCH
We will execute desk research and field research: small teams (1 to 3) will initiate and investigate one constituent of the broader tuning topic in conjunction with the collective agenda. A real-life hunt for sleepers? Reddit ricer camp-out? Infiltrate meets at the local Decathlon? Tools: eyes, brains, feet, hands, ears (and some tech). Be thorough, be obsessed. Do what you like!
Goal: research, exploration, collective knowledge
Time: ±4 weeks

STAGE 1B: TUNING FAIR
To celebrate our acquired insights and experiences, we’ll organize a night school, and showcase our research to our peers and friends: a discursive car meet. Your work can be post-produced & presented in screenings, zine launches, sim racing, or hardcore lectures. Our parking garage is the school foyer.
Goal: production, discourse
Time: 1 session, week 5/6

STAGE 2: SLEEPERS/DREAMERS
Time to shine! In this stage you unlock your inner tuner and pick a side: sleeper or dreamer? To fully develop your stance, you will design a compact architectural project that corresponds to your understanding of either sleepers or dreamers. You will walk the talk and use the tools, temperament, tactics and strategies of your sources/heroes to design, format and communicate your work. You may work individually but will have a comforting scene of co-sleepers or co-dreamers to fall back on.
Goal: architecture for car tuners, become sleepers/dreamers
Time: ±6 weeks
EXTRA STAGE! ESSEN MOTOR SHOW
Halfway through our design stage, we will visit Germany’s largest tuning and car performance event. Goal: immersion, mining, road trip
Time: 1 day, around 7-12 December

PRO STAGE: TUNING LIVE
Christmas comes early! We will showcase the work of our two scenes in a self-organized second meet.
Goal: exposure, celebration, party
Time: Friday 22 December

TUNING is an elective studio taught by Ginckels and guests at the KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, Sint-Lucas Ghent Campus. The studio is offered in the Fall semester.
Contact us for cross-university enrollment or to enquire about shorter guest programs; or to invite us for archi-tuning expertise at your speed events.