The temporal question is the first question asked in this research about university spaces.
Universities “work” mostly during the day, they respond to various uses, concentrated in a limited space and time. In a place and under a specific time : the days of the week, monday to friday.
What then happens to these places in the evening, on weekends, holidays or even as we have seen more recently during a period of lockdown due to a pandemic situation ?

What happens to the buildings when they are not being utilised by their principal users or emptied of its functions?
Does architecture just become an object, full forms ?
What is the atmosphere in these empty places, day or night, outside of university hours ?

The gaze on time is not here only a view of the planning of a university building, but also of the movement of the observer. That means, the photographer is not just taking a picture, but becoming aware of his presence.

That will be the difference between a visit where one goes discreetly through a door left open, finding oneself alone with time to understand the space, and the guided tour conducted by a guard who opens door after door, turns the light on and off, leaving time to see quickly but not to look…?

Authors :

Anne Rößger

João Fernandes Faria

Julien Jarrige

Elise Lotte Bastert

Pierre Thomas

Sally Yazji