EAHN: European Architectural History Network
Planning Meeting, Berlin, 13-15 January 2006

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

    The participants met at 11 a.m. Saturday, 14 January, in the conference room of the Museum für Kommunikation, Leipziger Strasse 16, Berlin-Mitte.  The agenda covered the following points with presentations and discussion.

1.    EAHN: Organization: 

1.1.     Aims:

Alona and Belgin presented considerations regarding EAHN’s aims, with the results of the discussion to be incorporated in a future mission statement and/or by-laws for the permanent organization.  Should EAHN have a broad or more closely defined agenda?  (Examples: specifically target younger scholars or encourage new methodologies?) Is EAHN an advocacy organization with respect to preservation issues or the professional rights of architectural historians?  Which media should be employed to create a public forum for architectural history?  What does Europe mean for EAHN?  Should we retain the name EAHN, or change it?  How interdisciplinary is EAHN (urbanism, planning, landscape, etc.)?

Possible activities and offers as an organization could be: networking, meetings and publications for presentation of scholarly work, preservation advocacy, professional support (job offers, professional rights), a directory of members and institutions with their areas of concentration, awards for support of excellence, and tours.

The discussion reached consensus on the following points: EAHN seeks a broad, inclusive, interdisciplinary appeal favoring no one period, methodology, or subdiscipline; we understand “Europe” in the broadest sense and as a changing concept (including, for example, colonial or post-colonial architecture); we strive to maintain streamlined procedures and structures, emphasizing our network nature—minimal paper (reliance on electronic media), minimal administration, yet still legally strong enough to qualify for outside funding; we believe in the importance of internationality, overcoming national (organizational, methodological, disciplinary) limitations and providing a critical mass of architectural historians to pursue aims even in small to medium countries; we support research and education, with particular outreach to younger scholars while still including senior scholars; we recognize the importance of media presence/marketing and establishing a scholarly profile in the discipline.  Finally, the participants enthusiastically agree on the project of turning the present temporary association into a permanent one.

The issue of the organization’s name remains open.  Although we generally agree that “European Architectural History Network” best describes who we are and what we do, we are generally dissatisfied with the acronym “EAHN”  (how to pronounce this?!?).  Finding vacant addresses for the website presents further difficulties.  Dietrich suggests pronouncing the acronym as “EAH Network” or “EAH Net”; this sounds better, but the website www.eah.net is taken.  No other suggestions found majority approval.  In the meantime we retain the present name and website, perhaps permanently.

1.2.     Relations with organizations and research institutions: 

Martin opened this discussion with information about the foundation and structure of the association which he represents, ASCE: Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (www.significantcemeteries.net).  It too functions as a network.  ASCE provides us with an example of how we can develop our organization, as well as an example of a potential affiliated society.

Alona then presented examples of the way other organizations structure their relations with fellow institutions.  The SAH has several categories: SAH chapters; affiliated organizations or societies; corresponding society. Also institutional membership (fee) for partnerships, associations, educational institutions, libraries, etc.  The variations in category can mean, for instance, the difference between just exchanging links on websites, or working closely together to organize conferences.  Alona further provided examples of specialized networks and listservs for architectural topics which already exist within Europe, although none of these duplicate EAHN’s projected scope.

The subsequent discussion came to the following conclusions.  We must actively collect contact information and recruit institutions (which?) to join EAHN as institutional members or affiliated organizations.  Institutions are important sources for listserv announcements.  We must offer something in return for institutional (and individual) members, such as a restricted-access area of the website.  This could include lists of institutions, their programs and faculty; PhD candidates and their topics; contact information for members (members must opt-in to website listing); a discussion forum (methodology, etc.); a searchable database of members’ research topics.  Dietrich reported that the SAH welcomes the foundation of EAHN and would be open to a variety of forms of cooperation between the organizations.

1.3.     Relations with scholars:

Carmen presented this topic, and underscored the importance of persuading  reputable senior scholars to join EAHN, thus establishing a basis for excellence.  We must exploit personal networking as much as possible to attract new members (as concentric waves emanating from one point, or a chain-letter effect).  We should be open to all interested in the history of architecture, also scholars from other related fields.  We have a particular responsibility to scholars in Eastern Europe, who have fewer contacts with existing networks.  Local conferences with local partners and topics can increase EAHN’s visibility and mingle local and international scholars.  (Example: Carmen is investigating the possibility of a conference on the former Socialist countries with the French research center “Marc Bloch” in Berlin.)  Tours  (see 2.2. below) offer a further opportunity to attract and involve members.

Alice has prepared a sample membership application, largely modelled on the SAH membership form but with added details such as fields of study.

1.4.    Language:

Rob presented considerations about the language used by EAHN.  He suggests: English as “official language” of  the network, including the listserv and the website.  In other instances (conferences, publications, etc.), use of the generally accepted languages of art and architectural history (English, French, German, Italian) should be encouraged.  The website should implement a policy of English for all EAHN announcements, with the possibility of attachments in any other language.  Material in other languages should offer a brief summary in English.  As a cultural organization we should continue to offer the possibility for people to express themselves in their native language.

1.5.    Function of temporary association (Association de préfiguration du réseau européen d'histoire de l'architecture):

Christine reported on the tasks ahead of us: preparation of by-laws, mission statement, constituent assembly for the permanent organization.  Belgian law is reputedly the most favorable for international organizations in Europe, a consituent assembly under Belgian law need not take place in Belgium.  Foundation should be prepared carefully, because later changes will be difficult.  Instead of opening all questions to discussion by the general membership, the committee should prepare recommendations for by-laws, etc., and present these recommendations for vote to the membership.

Projects for further work in coming months, most with assigned subcommittees: recruiting correspondents in institutions to provide information for listserv and website; organization of website and databases; find national sources for lists of PhD candidates; tours; (European) funding; draft of mission statement; establish structure for elections, compare electronic with paper elections (cost, difficulty).

2.    EAHN: Events and Activities:

2.1.  Meetings and conferences

-SAH Annual Meeting, Savannah, Friday, 28 April 2006, Noon-1:30 p.m.: EAHN will inform about its organization and activities in a Power Point presentation to be followed by discussion during a brown bag lunch at the SAH meeting.  The SAH meeting brochure erroneously uses the term “European Chapter”  (of the SAH) referring to EAHN.  Organizing EAHN as an SAH chapter has been rejected. (Christine)

-Docomomo Conference, Istanbul/Ankara, September 2006: EAHN will make a presentation similar to that in Savannah at the Docomomo conference in Turkey later this year. (Belgin)

-EAHN Planning Meeting, Delft, 13-14 January 2007: the participants felt the need for another planning meeting similar to the present one in a year’s time.  One important agenda item could be the preparation of EAHN’s constituent assembly (possibly in Zurich, June 2007? see below), with a draft of the by-laws for presentation to the membership.  Jan offered to host such a meeting in Delft; as an alternative, if Delft does not work out, Rui offered to hold the meeting in Coimbra.

-SAH/ETH International Conference, Zurich, June 2007:  After the SAH’s two recent international conferences with European partners (London, 2004, and Paris, 2005), a third such conference is being planned for 2007 together with the Institut gta/ETH in Zurich.  Dietrich represents the SAH in the planning of this medium-sized conference with a tentative date in late June 2007; the topic will focus on 19th and 20th century architecture.  Dietrich hopes that EAHN can also be involved in the conference in some way, and in the ensuing discussion the participants decided that the Zurich conference would offer a good opportunity to hold EAHN’s constituent assembly.  One evening of the conference could be reserved for this event.

-(Possible) EAHN Conference, Amsterdam, 2008:  Rob reports that complications have arisen in planning a first independent EAHN conference in Amsterdam in 2008: an international conference on “Bauforschung” is also being planned for 2008 in the Netherlands.  Could we work together with this group?  Further, Jan mentioned that the 21st  International Congress of Historical Studies wil be held in Amsterdam in 2010; a parallel session in Delft on the history of architecture and planning is under consideration.

Discussion focused on characteristics of future EAHN conferences: do we work with (local) partner institutions? Conferences annually, or every 2 years? A broad or narrow spectrum of subjects, calls for sessions or a predetermined common theme?  EAHN currently depends on hosting institutions (like the mailing list at INHA); our first conferences will probably depend on universities, other institutions and support from the host countries.  These partners need a focus of some local interest to attract cooperation and financing.

2.2. Tours

-EAHN Tours:  Carmen presented considerations regarding EAHN’s tours: these should be of short to medium length (3-7 days; long tours of up to 3 weeks can come later), focus on more than one subject and period, obtain permission to view buildings (interiors) normally inaccessible, use several local scholar/guides (EAHN members), book moderately-priced hotels and also be available for those with low budgets.  By popular request, Carmen agreed to organize a first tour this summer:

-Tour of Ljubljana, June-July 2006:  3-4 days, probably a long weekend.  Carmen has local contacts in Ljubljana, the city is easily accessible, and offers architecture from Baroque to Plecnik.  Details will follow.

3.    EAHN: Communication:

Bernd gave a brief demonstration of the EAHN website (www.eahn.org), and explained its advantages: capabilities for expansion, compatibility with international standards, and basis in open source software.  Alice presented information on the EAHN mailing list: currently circa 160 subscribers, with a majority from France.  We must expand and diversify the mailing list!  All should solicit colleagues, students, and institutions to sign up for the mailing list and to post information to the list!  Alice further presented thoughts regarding an EAHN newsletter.  This should be electronic, possibly with a print version for libraries (fee?)  A regular publication rhythm is important, even with brief content: at first, aim for every 2 to 3 months, later perhaps monthly.  Content should be in English when possible (time and/or money for translations?) and complement the website: summarize EAHN activities; provide lists of research institutes, museums, academic programs; include exhibition, book and article reviews.  We need an editor or editors!

4.    EAHN: Finances: 

Carmen presented considerations about a future membership fee.  She suggests € 15 for an individual and € 55 for an institutional membership.  As EAHN’s bank account balance is currently € 0, all present contributed a € 10 cash membership fee to maintain the account in good standing.  Discussion concentrated on when to start charging a membership fee.  Consensus was reached that EAHN will charge a membership fee when it has substantial content to offer on its website and/or in the form of conferences or publications.  Charging a membership fee will probably necessitate a paid administrator (full- or part-time).  How can we attract and what can we offer to benefactor-members?  The possibility of obtaining outside funding  (from sources such as the EU or the Graham Foundation) for specific projects and programs was informally discussed throughout the day.

5.    Conclusion:

The meeting concluded with a formal election of officers and committee members for the temporary association “Association de préfiguration du réseau européen d'histoire de l'architecture.”   The election unanimously confirmed the current officers: Christine Mengin (president); Rob Dettingmeijer (vice president); Alice Thomine (secretary); Carmen Popescu (treasurer); Bernd Kulawik (webmaster).  Further, the current members of the committee were unanimously confirmed: Barbara Arciszewska, Maristella Casciato, Dietrich Neumann, Alona Nitzan-Shiftan, and Belgin Turan Özkaya.  And finally, the others in attendance were unanimously elected to join the committee: Martin Ernerth, Simone Hain, Susan Klaiber, Rui Lobo, Jan Molema.

Postscript: 

The participants met again over breakfast Sunday morning to discuss corrections and additions to Saturday‘s minutes (as prepared by Bernd and Martin: many thanks!).  The weekend concluded at 11 a.m. Sunday with a fascinating tour of the construction site at the Neues Museum (Friedrich August Stüler, 1855) on Berlin’s Museumsinsel, led by Ms. Schad from the Berlin office of David Chipperfield Architects.

In attendance:  Rob Dettingmeijer, Martin Ernerth, Simone Hain, Susan Klaiber, Bernd Kulawik, Rui Lobo, Christine Mengin, Jan Molema, Dietrich Neumann, Alona Nitzan-Shiftan, Belgin Turan Özkaya, Carmen Popescu, Alice Thomine.
Unable to attend: Barbara Arciszewska, Maristella Casciato.

Berlin Coordinator: Bernd Kulawik
Summary: Susan Klaiber