Heterotopia: what architecture for other spaces?

Under the supervision of Mrs. Lydia BOLLEN and Prof. Dr. Damien DARCIS

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During a trip to Japan in 2014, a chance encounter with Agathe at a youth hostel in Kyoto profoundly influenced my journey. Agathe, then a student of photography at the Arts-Déco in Paris, and I decided to explore an abandoned amusement park in Nara to capture unique moments. It was there, on the metro heading towards Osaka, that a conversation about spaces hosting a peculiar reality arose, sparked by the ideas of Michel Foucault on "heterotopias". This dialogue ignited my curiosity and led me to choose this topic for my final thesis.

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My research quickly focused on the concept of heterotopia, exploring how these physical spaces can stand out from the world around them, what rules and temporality govern them, and above all, how their architecture can be innovative by drawing inspiration from Foucauldian concepts.

By exploring the etymology of the term "utopia", composed of the Greek prefix "heteros" meaning "other" and "topos" meaning "place", I traced its evolution from the writings of Plato to the modern essays of Yona Friedman. Utopia, this ideal imaginary place, has traversed the ages, inspiring thought, particularly in architecture.

In the 1960s, the concept of heterotopia emerged, piquing the interest of architects. Michel Foucault formulated this idea of "other places" during his radio debates, shedding light on an often overlooked aspect of architecture. He described these places as counter-spaces, places that are "absolutely different" and interact with our daily lives in a unique way.

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The analysis of architectural samples, from Z33 to the city of Louvain-la-Neuve, reveals a surprising diversity of architectural approaches. These places, although different, share a common ambition to break away from the everyday, to provoke unique sensations and emotions in those who frequent them.

The challenge now lies in creating "emotional architecture", inspired by heterotopia. Rethinking our homes, drawing inspiration from these concepts, could open up new perspectives on how we build and inhabit our environments.

This work has enriched my understanding of utopia and has redefined my vision of architecture, leading me to recognize that buildings are not mere structures, but living spaces in constant dialogue with the human body.