Beyond the Correspondence
An Archival Research of the BPH
E. Gerstenkorn (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
J.A.M. Baeten – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
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Abstract
I named my work Beyond the Correspondence. In the archival research I conducted on the Post Box for the Development of the Habitat (the B.P.H. mailbox), I analyzed the content of the publications which are stored in the archives of the Het Nieuwe Institute Rotterdam. I realized that there is so much beyond the correspondence and understanding of the dynamic of Team 10, the post box, and its value. The postbox has developed and become a worldwide amazing network.
During B.P.H.'s twelve years of operation, 398 letters arrived at Bakema`s mailbox. The letters, sent from private architects, as well as from international organizations and universities, contained information on new publications, projects, and collaboration invitations. Bakema used a very efficient categorizing system, arranging the content in four columns (which after a few years became four lines) – Author, Date, Subject, and Main points. Overall Bakema published eighteen issues at irregular intervals over the years.
Within the development of Team 10 as a group, I analyzed through Tuckman`s model of four stages for group development. I noticed that the B.P.H. publications held a similar evolution process. That led me to my research questions – Has the B.P.H. turned into a professional international network? Does the postbox live a dynamic of its own?
I analyzed the publications thoroughly, following the number of letters Bakema received, the sources, issues that arose, and Bakema's general summaries regarding the B.P.H. conduction.
I summed up in a table the main topics in each of the publications and I highlighted the stages of development, the main themes, and the growing power of the B.P.H. as a virtual group.
My study shows the astonishing power that the postbox had as a network virtual group prior to the internet era, indicating its importance in the history of professional networking in the architectural field, which resembles today`s professional network LinkedIn.
Particularly interesting is the phenomenon that from being almost a naïve means of communication between Team 10 members, it has become a stage in a virtual conference room, when one is lecturing, the others are listening, and are welcome to start a discussion and give and receive feedback.