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The icon as a collaborative performance: non-standard solutions, invisible work and networks of trust in the construction of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Hamburg

Venetsiya Dimitrova, Monika Grubbauer

Archnet-IJAR

ISSN: 2631-6862

Article publication date: 27 January 2022

Issue publication date: 6 June 2022

133

Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of this paper is to shift the focus from the symbolic and aesthetic features of iconic projects to the complex process of their actual materialisation. Hereby, the authors conceptualise iconic projects as the “collaborative performance” of a wide range of built environment professionals. The authors seek to unravel the complexity of organisational action, professional practices, knowledge and expertise, and the inter-firm networks required for the creation of iconic architecture.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on an in-depth case study of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Hamburg's new icon. This included 26 semi-structured interviews with a broad range of interview partners, which were conducted by an interdisciplinary team.

Findings

Besides by spectacular architectural design, iconic buildings are characterised by the meticulous execution of even the smallest details as well as of more hidden building elements unlikely to be seen by the public. Execution is usually contingent on the specific building processes and construction practices and requires the continuous engagement of project architects, as well as trusting collaborations with their partners in the construction industry. Yet the making of iconic projects is challenging and (financially) risky, and the interfaces between project partners cannot be easily translated into contractual agreements, which potentially compromises the collaboration between architects and construction firms.

Originality/value

This paper advances a cross-sectoral view on professional practices by providing in-depth insight into the work of less prominent project architects and their partners in the construction industry. This paper hereby bridges design and construction practices and provides a more holistic understanding of how iconic projects are constructed on the ground.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the interview partners sincerely for their time and invaluable insights. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and constructive suggestions. Finally, the authors would like to pay special regards to the team of Hasenkopf Industrie Manufaktur (www.hasenkopf.de/info@hasenkopf.de), who provided the authors with important photographic material that contributed significantly to this paper.

Funding: This work was supported by Landesforschungsförderung Hamburg (Grant Number LFF FV-56).

Citation

Dimitrova, V. and Grubbauer, M. (2022), "The icon as a collaborative performance: non-standard solutions, invisible work and networks of trust in the construction of the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Hamburg", Archnet-IJAR, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 434-450. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-03-2021-0058

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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