Architecture for the Sake of Architecture
The type of architecture discussed in the readings and in
class take on a different meaning than when most people think of architecture.
The way these project are designed, the idea of a functional space for humans to inhabit
comes second to the form and aesthetics of the building. While in school, we
can’t get away with designing things “because it looks cool,” but these architects
get away with it on many projects. Think about Peter Eisenman’s Wexner Center,
the steel structure serves very little functional service. What it does is look
cool and define the space in an interesting and artistic way. Forgetting about
what’s practical, Eisenman uses architecture to capture visitors in a way only
architecture can. This method of design, of making a building interesting just
for the sake of it, is perfectly acceptable, but takes a certain person to get
it right.
Great post... I'd have to agree, if any architecture is truly going to perform predominately as a sort of sculpture, it better be done right
ReplyDeleteI was really captured by your title because typically when I hear this saying I get really frustrated. But I think this week looking at architecture through the lens of critical and projective I learned to appreciate this "Architecture for the sake of architecture" a little more. So many times in architecture school we say "oh well it doesn't really matter. It's never going to get built" Most of the time gravity doesn't even play a role in our projects. But the interesting think about Eisenmans projects for example is that they actually manifested themselves into a building form.
ReplyDeleteI was really captured by your title because typically when I hear this saying I get really frustrated. But I think this week looking at architecture through the lens of critical and projective I learned to appreciate this "Architecture for the sake of architecture" a little more. So many times in architecture school we say "oh well it doesn't really matter. It's never going to get built" Most of the time gravity doesn't even play a role in our projects. But the interesting think about Eisenmans projects for example is that they actually manifested themselves into a building form.
ReplyDeleteI think that design is incredibly subjective and fully depends upon the individual. We are all born into specific decades which glorify certain modes of design, but there is certainly validity in intuition and following your 'gut.' This gut feeling may not exist as a derivative of literally anything. If it works, it works. This artistry and seemingly manifestation of one's mind is one of the reasons why I love 'selfish architecture.'
ReplyDelete