Envelope: geometry or comprehensive question?

The first impression of the architecture comes from the envelope. That is the first view before the people enter the building. Some people even do not go into the building. That is why most architect focuses on the envelope design.
But the bad design always happen. Because the architect solves the envelope problem as a geometry problem, not as a comprehensive problem. A good example is the Guangzhou Opera House designed by Zaha. That project is a big mistake by the bad envelope design. She designs an exaggerated shape as she usually did and also comes with the unreasonable envelope. The building finished after overbudget and with ugly envelope. Because the construction do not have any details and the metal panel is broken and it makes the building leak during the rain. Maybe some people will think it because the labor skill is bad that is why the project comes bad. But that is a part of the design that the architect needs thinking about. The design should be designed based on the local context. The architect should also think about the local situation, like budget, labor skill, material access, and climate. The opera housing is good for the interior function but it because the client spends a lot of money on the equipment and interior design. But the shell(envelope) is not even functioning. It is leaking, broken, rusted.
That because of the Zaha design the envelope as a geometry problem not as a comprehensive problem. A good design for the envelope should cooperate with all other parts of the building.

Comments

  1. I agree with your opinion, that the envelope, at the end of the day, is much more than just a facade treatment. It may literally get people in the door, but if it doesn't function properly or respond to the architecture, is it really successful?

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