Stripping Architecture’s extraordinary mission

Architecture can be looked at in many different ways. Brussels architects Filip Momikj and Mohammad Hammash do so in a very special manner. Together, they founded Stripping Architecture, which brings the debate on architecture and spatial planning from the drawing board to the street. It will come as no surprise that their own city of Brussels is almost always the starting point.

Momikj and Hammash engage in the debate not only via their own web platform (which also includes Patreon and Instagram), but also through regular YouTube videos and even the publication of a book. Far from being stiff, the duo does not shy away from humour while taking a critical look at the design of public space.

Hostile Architecture

Take their latest post on YouTube at the end of November, for example. In it, they engage in a debate about ‘Hostile Architecture’. ‘Hostile’ architecture, also sometimes referred to as ‘Defensive Architecture’. With this approach, urban planners and policymakers employ a strategy that aims to discourage ‘undesirable’ behaviour, such as loitering in public spaces. They do this by incorporating uncomfortable or exclusionary elements into public spaces.

“What does it mean to ‘upgrade’ or ‘dismantle’ hostile architecture? That is what we explore in this post. Think, for example, of removing or redesigning harmful elements such as sloping benches or restrictive seating,” we hear. "Or restoring public spaces so that they are inclusive, accessible and inviting to everyone. This process emphasises dignity, accessibility and community well-being over exclusion. If you are passionate about urban justice, human rights or rethinking the design of cities with equality and compassion in mind, then this video is for you. We unravel the historical context, ethical considerations and real examples of transformation, hoping to spark a conversation about reclaiming our shared spaces."

Broad target audience

This post and many previous contributions both contribute to what the architects want to do with Stripping Architecture: literally ‘stripping’ urban architecture. In doing so, they clearly focus on the broadest possible target audience.

Their starting point is that when we think of architecture, we often associate it with buildings, houses or monuments. There is always a tendency to connect architecture with the material aspects of the environment in which we find ourselves. Think of things like bricks, styles, aesthetics, roofs, stairs, and so on.

Filip Momikj and Mohammad Hammash do indeed describe these elements as very superficial and precise, but they do embody complex urban phenomena. By stripping these elements of their primary function, we can recognise and decipher the dialogue between architecture and life. The method of stripping architecture allows us to peel away the layers of cities and discover their nuanced social impact.

“We have a clear mission with what we do. We want to create content that reveals and communicates the social impact of architecture. Of course, it doesn't stop there. We also visualise complex urban phenomena and solutions with fun examples, and we empower and support everyone to create critical content about cities. It is also our intention to open up the world of architecture to the youngest generations.”

Direct involvement

"Our vision is to institutionalise architectural and urban criticism and to mobilise people for direct involvement in the design of urban spaces. Furthermore, we want to embrace architectural criticism outside our own professional bubble. And, as became clear in the YouTube contribution described above, we strive to demystify and popularise complex urban issues such as gentrification, urban hostility or urban renewal... while at the same time proposing solutions and alternative frameworks."

Want to know more about Stripping Architecture? Visit www.strippingarchitecture.com. There you will not only find additional information about the various initiatives, but you can also subscribe to a newsletter.

© all pictures: Stripping Architecture