venice architecture biennale 08: estudio teddy cruz

a house built with steel beams

estudio has redefined their architectural practice through studies conducted of the san diego, california- tijuana,
mexico border. the border is a mixture of first and third worlds where overproduction and excess are barricading
themselves against the problems of scarcity produced by political and economic difference.

over the last few years the practice began questioning their role as architects within the geography of conflict,
searching for a more meaningful socio- political role for architecture. their main realization was that no advance
in building design can occur without re -organizing the political structures.

at the venice biennale they presented a slide show of projects based on the san diego- tijuana border.
in recent years they have collaborated with community based non profit organizations in the mexican
neighbourhood to develop housing projects. houses developed make use of the material that is often discarded
across the border


rendering of a housing project


model of a housing project built with discarded materials

a house created from old shutters and windows


tires

teddy cruz
image © designboom

more:
estudio: http://estudioteddycruz.com
venice architecture biennale: http://www.labiennale.org