The contribution of Central Europe to the formation and dissemination of modernity is largely unknown or seen as a marginal episode in post-war historiographies of global modern architecture, due in part to its long term isolation from Western discourse. This situation also reinforced the currently dominant national narratives of modernism in post-socialist countries. This project explores key transitions that formed modernity in Central Europe from a different perspective. Its intention is to highlight cross border and cross disciplinary transfers, which reveal a different understanding of the networks of modern architecture. The exhibition is the first instalment of a long-term research on the development of architecture as a result of complex interactions between material and immaterial production, where many actors constitute networks and exchange knowledge. In a lateral move between national and object narratives, the exhibition focuses not on the elements but the mechanisms of production. Its initial themes describe networks and agencies who formed and contextualized architectural culture until the socialist states, tracing links between the different national narratives and larger interpretative frameworks. Later phases address the postmodern adaptations during the transformation periods, and the impact of 20th century projects on current unfolding processes.

Through the active process of documentation an open archive will be constructed within the project exhibitions and events in contributing centers. This modus operandi will relaunch the exchange between the most active centers of architecture in the region. Thus the project is also an attempt to revive and foster current networks.