The Line of Dissent

An architectural-political vision for an open European Union

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

D. Stoschek Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Georg Vrachliotis History, Form & Aesthetics - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 1)
D. Pohl History, Form & Aesthetics - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
H.L. van der Meel Architectural Technology - Architecture and the Built Environment (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright: © 2023 Dominik Stoschek
Decision-making Assembly EU Brussels Public realm Politics Dissent EU-quarter EU-parliament Deliberation
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Published Date

25-01-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

At the EU Parliament in Brussels, deliberation and decision-making processes are stuck in an ever-turning hamster wheel designed to reach unanimous compromises. The architecture of the so-called Consensusland provides spatial settings exclusively designed for the purpose of reaching compromises and not offering room where discussions and conflicts can be discussed open-endedly. What is supposed to be a building for exchange and deliberation rather nourishes an atmosphere of complete consensus.
The Line of Dissent offers both, an urbanistic and architectural approach to institutionalize a citizen's assembly integrated into the existing parliament's complex. By exploring different spatial settings and sequences, a myriad of assembly and information spaces is being created. Here, the participants of the citizen’s assembly are enabled to come up with thoughts and ideas on the future of the EU where an architecture characterised by transparency and openness nourishes an atmosphere of dissent. The design seeks to blur the borders between the public and the political realm to enhance the permeability of both spheres and to eventually lower the threshold for citizens willing to engage in the decision-making processes on an European level.