The aim of this blog is to reflect on the readings we are given and to analyse weather it is useful in our current design projects, and the reasons for why if it is not. The following questions will be answered:
Is that particular architect/style/material/etc, a possible precedent for your design work?
Why? / Why not?
Which aspects from that period of time are still relevant nowadays?
Are you aware of contemporary architects following that particular trend?
Is that particular architect/style/material/etc, a possible precedent for your design work?
Why? / Why not?
Which aspects from that period of time are still relevant nowadays?
Are you aware of contemporary architects following that particular trend?
Reading 1: Globalisation of Modern Architecture : The Impact of Politics, Economics and Social Change on Architecture and Urban Design since 1990
This weeks reading was all about the various ways in which Globalisation has affected the world and in what ways it takes form. From trading routes spanning over 6500 kilometres to conquests and the mass colonisation of cultures. This in turn brought cultures of various religions in to one single community. It also includes information about the globalised cultures that incorporate many different architectural styles, cultural beliefs and sense of society and governmental practices.
Personally, I admire very much the classical architectural styles. However, they are not a form of architecture that I wish to incorporate in to my designs, like Fontenelle said in 1688 "unreasonable admiration for the ancients is one of the chief obstacles to progress" and Kazimir Malevich said "Life must be purified of the clutter of the past", I too believe that the styles of the ancient cultures should not be practiced today as it puts a halt on progress, not just architectural progress, but progress as a nation; I believe that the idea of 'preserving' the past is unnecessary.
In terms of the relevancy of the aspects from the time periods mentioned in the reading, and it's application to modern times, I believe that they are crucial, I believe that knowing about the events that have transpired can inspire a better future. I mean this as a way of progressing as a modern community and not as a way of reliving the past. The events that happened in ancient cultures should not be applied to modern problems, merely a way of adapting them.
Personally, I admire very much the classical architectural styles. However, they are not a form of architecture that I wish to incorporate in to my designs, like Fontenelle said in 1688 "unreasonable admiration for the ancients is one of the chief obstacles to progress" and Kazimir Malevich said "Life must be purified of the clutter of the past", I too believe that the styles of the ancient cultures should not be practiced today as it puts a halt on progress, not just architectural progress, but progress as a nation; I believe that the idea of 'preserving' the past is unnecessary.
In terms of the relevancy of the aspects from the time periods mentioned in the reading, and it's application to modern times, I believe that they are crucial, I believe that knowing about the events that have transpired can inspire a better future. I mean this as a way of progressing as a modern community and not as a way of reliving the past. The events that happened in ancient cultures should not be applied to modern problems, merely a way of adapting them.
Reading 2: Modern Architecture
I consider myself to be a very art-oriented person and I could not disagree more with Adolf Loos in terms of stripping down their appearances to a plain standard. I do not agree with this idea of abolishing ornamentation and rejecting art. However, I can understand the designing of a room to fit it's function, this is key but does not mean that all artistic influence must be abolished to achieve it.
In terms of being a useful precedent for my projects I believe the designing of the room based on its primary function is important, and the use of shiny and reflective materials to convey wealth and elegance is also interesting.
I am aware of the architects that have influenced him and have influenced others such as Le Corbusier and Mies Van Der Rohe who incorporate this modern style architecture. Le Corbusier is believe can be said to have the most resemblance in his designs of modern architecture.
In terms of being a useful precedent for my projects I believe the designing of the room based on its primary function is important, and the use of shiny and reflective materials to convey wealth and elegance is also interesting.
I am aware of the architects that have influenced him and have influenced others such as Le Corbusier and Mies Van Der Rohe who incorporate this modern style architecture. Le Corbusier is believe can be said to have the most resemblance in his designs of modern architecture.
Reading 3: The Russian Revolution: Zaha Hadid
Throughout the readings (so far), this piece has had the most effect on me. The idea of weightlessness and absolute creative freedom in design and architecture liberating the designer is very exciting to me. Zaha Hadid talks about how her mind works - through organising her mental processes, a form of meta-thinking almost, and the process of conjuring ideas through abstraction has appealed to me greatly. I intend on delving into research into precedents once I have been given a project that I can apply this form of architecture to, I do not believe this is applicable to a residential family home. This is because I believe in a home that is traditional, brick with a rustic appeal to it. However, I do not mean to say that it can never be applied to residential buildings. However, a way that it can be applicable to anything is the way the drawings can be displayed and communicated, plan, elevation and axonometric all in one drawing.
What's most interesting in the way that Hadid has interpreted the Black Square, a piece of art consisting of a black square with a white background, is also very interesting. She describes it as being very exciting, the way that something as simple as a square can influence radical change throughout the course of not only art, but also in the regime of the context for when it was made. Hadid developed most of ideas through exploration in paint, this where I cannot relate, because I have always developed my designs through arbitrary pen and pencil explorations. However, her exploration through the use of colour, especially block colour is something that I can understand. |
"My Black Square is a bare and frameless icon for our time. Arise comrades and free yourselves from the tyranny of objects" - Kazimir Malevich
This idea of abstraction and its application to plans is also interesting. I could utilise this particular style in showing; plans, elevations and axonometric all in one drawing, this is a very unusual way of doing plans, like Hadid, it liberates one from the restrictions of rules and conventions. Zaha Hadid describes giving an abstract arrangement of shapes a meaning, a specific arrangement could be inspiration for the design of many things not just architectural, this idea of domesticating an abstract form is also very impactful.
My favourite aspect of design, my ideal way of designing is by not being restricted to rationality ; to be free of logical restrictions. This is also why this reading has intrigued me so much, this idea of creating as if designing in outer space is completely compelling, this in turn can lead to a better understanding of space and better ways of interacting with it;
"We can only be aware of space is we break away from the earth, if the fulcrum disappears." - Kazimir Malevich.
In terms of its relevance nowadays, it can be seen as the foundation for which many artists and architects have based their designs on. Suprematism, the art form used by Malevich, lead to a form of modernism in architecture, using block colours and fragmentation can be seen extensively in our generation, and even the generation before us.
This idea of abstraction and its application to plans is also interesting. I could utilise this particular style in showing; plans, elevations and axonometric all in one drawing, this is a very unusual way of doing plans, like Hadid, it liberates one from the restrictions of rules and conventions. Zaha Hadid describes giving an abstract arrangement of shapes a meaning, a specific arrangement could be inspiration for the design of many things not just architectural, this idea of domesticating an abstract form is also very impactful.
My favourite aspect of design, my ideal way of designing is by not being restricted to rationality ; to be free of logical restrictions. This is also why this reading has intrigued me so much, this idea of creating as if designing in outer space is completely compelling, this in turn can lead to a better understanding of space and better ways of interacting with it;
"We can only be aware of space is we break away from the earth, if the fulcrum disappears." - Kazimir Malevich.
In terms of its relevance nowadays, it can be seen as the foundation for which many artists and architects have based their designs on. Suprematism, the art form used by Malevich, lead to a form of modernism in architecture, using block colours and fragmentation can be seen extensively in our generation, and even the generation before us.
Reading 4: Bauhaus 1919-1933 Weimar-Dessau-Berlin
From this weeks reading the topic of the various Bauhaus leaders was discussed along with the change they brought to the way teaching is taught at the Bauhaus institution. I took interest in a visionary project by Walter Gropius of the Erwin Piscator of 1927. This design was on an elliptic floor plan, a theatre that be used as either a traditional proscenium stage, an amphitheatre, or a round arena simply turning a centralised floor disc. I like this idea of having multiple uses for a room, especially with unique ways of making it happen, this is definitely a precedent that I will use in the future. This in turn allowed a change of spatial awareness altering the relationship between the actors/performers and the audience. Another aspect of this design consisted of the walls and ceiling being able to serve as projection surfaces for slides and films, this was done by allowing projection equipment that could be lowered from the ceiling. In addition, this building received high praise from a very famous architecture critic, Adolf Behne. I have yet to come across an architect who has implemented such a unique way of solving a problem, and creating multiple uses for a room.
Reading 5: Architecture and Narrative - the formation of space and culture meaning in buildings
A feature of Mies Van Der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion is how he strategically aligned each room, that based on the positioning and visual point of view of the viewer, gives a completely different perspective. In addition, based on ones positioning, they can view different spatial characteristics of the interior spaces. Another interesting idea from this reading is the floor plan diagrams, a small feature, perhaps a little insignificant in the grand scheme of the design, but still useful for future projects, different shades of grey are rendered onto the floor plan to signify visibility of the spaces based on positioning.
Another aspect of this design that i find interesting is how he made use of the reflective materials which 'obliterated occlusion'. A definite aspect of this pavilion that i could use in future designs is the utilisation of the reflective materials; positioning them in places that would allow a relatively small space to be extended. For example, placing these materials in specific areas that would cause reflections on the peripheral surfaces, effectively opening up the spaces. In addition, this also aids in the effect of symmetry.
Another aspect of this design that i find interesting is how he made use of the reflective materials which 'obliterated occlusion'. A definite aspect of this pavilion that i could use in future designs is the utilisation of the reflective materials; positioning them in places that would allow a relatively small space to be extended. For example, placing these materials in specific areas that would cause reflections on the peripheral surfaces, effectively opening up the spaces. In addition, this also aids in the effect of symmetry.