Back to School with... Paulien Bremmer

The Other Construction Site

Back to School with… is a series of research-based lecture evenings, where we invite an inspiring guest to design and curate a program around a question or theme that is currently on their mind. For this edition, we’ve invited architect Paulien Bremmer to take us along her ongoing research project 'The Other Construction Site'.

“There is no alternative,” was the political slogan of Margaret Thatcher, who argued that liberal capitalism is the only viable system. It fits the traditional construction site like a glove. The existing system - driven by time and money, extractive, and masculine - is seen as universal and justifies the way of working.

But is this truly just? And does this way of working align with the urgent issues and transitions of our time? Shouldn't we focus on other values instead of primarily those of money? Can we move beyond a system that seems unshakable and believe in an alternative?

In this series of three evenings, we will explore these questions and discuss alternatives - then, now, and in the future.

About Paulien Bremmer
Paulien Bremmer is a cross-disciplinary architect, based in Amsterdam with a focus on architecture as a social and cultural praxis. She is trained as an architect at the TU Delft and obtained a Master of Arts at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. Bremmer is initiator of the multidisciplinary collaboration Federation Levitation a.k.a. Fedlev which won the design competition to realise the expansion of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and Sandberg Instituut. She serves in advisory roles and teaches as guest lecturer at various universities and schools. Her research project The Other Building Site, was selected by the Creatieve Industries Fund NL within the open call Space for Justice. 

Lecture Programme

07 October 2025, 18:00 - 21:00
SESSION #1: THE CONVENTIONAL CONSTRUCTION SITE

The first evening explores the conventional construction site through the lens of Brazilian Marxist architect Sergio Ferro, who emphasises the role of workers and the construction process over the final design. It also explores lesser known, alternative approaches, with special attention to women led construction projects from recent history. With Paulien Bremmer, Mariana Moura Cruz, Katie Lloyd Thomas, Setareh Noorani and Alina Paias. More info here

04 November 2025, 18:00 - 21:00
SESSION #2: THE ALTERNATIVE

The second evening explores contemporary architectural practices that embrace alternative, hands-on approaches to building, using natural or reused materials, writing demolition specs, developing new products, or actively participating in construction. Together with Cesare Peeren (Superuse), Ellipse architecture, Pauline Lefevre and Jille koop we will explore how these practices challenge the conventional construction system and culture. The session examines the motivations behind these methods and their impact on the built environment, with various practitioners offering insights into how such approaches reshape architecture and construction today. More info here

18 november 2025, 18:00 - 21:00
SESSION #3 THE OTHER CONSTRUCTION SITE

The third evening revolves around the question of what the construction site might look like if we view it more 'separately' from the existing system. Autonomous practices or practices that repair, restore, grow, or operate collectively allowing for freer experimentation and speculation about the future. With Espace Ago, Kapitaloceen, La Bateau, House of Annette. More info here