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Cultural space and spatial culture

The 2013 cultural forum, which takes place on 9 November, will be organized as a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture and the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute of Architecture and Planning. It will focus on the topic of “Architecture, space and culture in Liechtenstein”.

The 2013 cultural forum, which takes place on 9 November, will be organized as a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture and the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute of Architecture and Planning. It will focus on the topic of “Architecture, space and culture in Liechtenstein”. 


Architectural culture affects us all


We spend the majority of our lives in built environments. The ways in which we move, communicate and interact in them is shaped to a great extent by the environments themselves. It is therefore important that the design of our living spaces plays a central role in future planning activities. 

Planning includes not only the design of buildings, but city and town planning, the development of transport concepts, artistic construction as well as monument preservation and art in public spaces. The built environment and all its facets convey an image of a country’s culture and fundamentally shape the way in which it is perceived.


Centre of expertise for architectural culture

Acting on the request of the Liechtenstein Minister for Culture, Dr. Aurelia Frick, the Institute of Architecture and Planning as a centre of expertise for architectural culture in the Rhine Valley region has developed this year’s 2013 cultural forum.



Professor Peter A. Staub and Rector Klaus Näscher from the University of Liechtenstein present the programme of the 2013 cultural forum together with the Minister for Culture, Dr. Aurelia Frick, and Thomas Büchel, head of the Office for Cultural Affairs. 


Research project as starting point


The starting point for this collaboration was the PARK research project carried out by Professor Peter A. Staub, the architect Celina Martinez-Cañavate and Dr. Ruth Jochum-Gasser. From June 2013 to June 2016, the project will examine the potential of architectural production to generate added value for the creative industries in Liechtenstein.

As part of the cultural forum, two panel discussions with internationally renowned experts will delve into the added value provided by architectural production to the cultural landscape in Liechtenstein. In the event hosted by Professor Peter A. Staub and Denise Ospelt Strehlau  from the Institute of Architecture and Planning, questions regarding architectural and spatial culture in Liechtenstein will be examined.


Panel discussion on spatial culture

Points of view from architectural experts from the border region of Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland:
  • Jon Ritter, president of the Liechtenstein Association of Engineers and Architects
  • Dr. Verena Konrad, director of the Vorarlberg Architectural Institute
  • Dr. Claudia Schwalfenberg, responsible for architectural culture at the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects

Panel discussion on cultural space
Points of view from academics and practitioners in the area of culture:
  • Professor Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, molecular biologist and science historian
  • Beate Frommelt, artist from Liechtenstein
  • Sandi Paucic, biennials project manager at the Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council


Detailed programme as PDF flyer.


The forum starts at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday, 9 November 2013, in the auditorium of the University of Liechtenstein in Vaduz. During the breaks, students of the faculty of architecture  will be exhibiting their work. The panel discussions will be rounded off with a reception where drinks and canapés will be served, and with artistic presentations on the topics of culture and space.




“It will be interesting to examine the topic from two different perspectives: space as culture, and space for culture,” states host Dr. Aurelia Frick, who looks forward to the exchange of ideas with the participants.


2013 cultural forum: cultural space and spatial culture
Saturday, 9 November 2013, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.  
Auditorium of the University of Liechtenstein, Vaduz
Entry is free. 
Further information can be found at www.kulturforum.li