The Social Production of Space

The research project, supported by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, aims to investigate the social production of urban spaces surrounding iconic architectural projects in East Asian cities, with a specific focus on the Taipei Performing Arts Centre (TPAC) as a case study.

Taipei Performing Arts Center. Image Shephotoerd-Co hotography for OMA

Given the rise of new public cultural buildings designed by international star architects, there is a critical need to analyze the planning processes and impact of these structures on urban spaces. By drawing on Lefebvre’s theoretical framework on the production of space and non-representational theories in geography and social sciences, the study will delve into how space is socially constructed and explore the diverse perspectives and experiences of stakeholders involved in the development and utilization of iconic buildings, thereby challenging the conventional role of the architect in shaping architectural space.

The research encompasses a longitudinal ethnography of the TPAC design process and a place-based ethnography of the TPAC pre- and post-opening periods, incorporating interviews with architects, users, community members, and design document reviews. Ultimately, the study aims to introduce a novel approach to evaluating iconic buildings in an Asian context, providing insights into the intricate dynamics of urban development and cultural enhancement in rapidly globalizing cities.

UvA researchers