Prof. Dr. Tom Avermaete | History and Theory of Urban Design

Tracing the Virus: the Balcony

In the past months, the freedom of movement of many citizens around the world has been restricted. As part of the attempt to mitigate the COVID-19 virus, people have been advised to remain within their private spaces and restrict their presence in public space to the bare minimum. Keeping citizens out of the public sphere is, fortunately, not an idea that is docilely accepted by contemporary societies.

On the contrary, citizens around the world have searched for alternative ways to appear in the public sphere, for other modes of meeting one another, for other tactics to share, care, and support: for different ways of commoning. The digital sphere has offered many new ways to encounter others, exchange ideas, and work together. But in our analogue world, in our neighbourhoods and cities, alternative ways of doing have also been developed. One architectural element has played a key role: the balcony.

Some years ago, we started an intense investigation of the architectural element of the balcony, within the frame of Rem Koolhaas’ project ‘The Elements of Architecture’. Today, we continue this research at the Chair of the History and Theory of Urban Design of gta, at ETH Zürich. We explore how, in times of COVID-19, the balcony continues to be one of the most powerful architectural elements in the city: as an individual podium of collectivity, a private parlour of public presence, and a personal lighthouse of the commons. (Background Image:©Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)

19th March 2020, responsible gossiping in the age of social distancing in Bulgaria. ©Photograph by Andreas Ruby.

Yokahama In Quarantaine. A passenger is seen on a balcony of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port on February 14, 2020. © Charly Triballeau / Instagram.

Thanking the health workers. Isabel Diaz Ayuso (right), President of the Community of Madrid, claps on her balcony for health workers to thank them for their efforts. © Madrid Regional Government.