The Largest Organ
We often
talk about the skin of the building as something draped over a building’s
skeleton. Something allowing some sort of fluidity between the exterior and
interior (sunlight and air when you want to be a part of the outside, and
protection and rigidity when you don’t). Therefore, putting the envelope in the
political realm, as Zaera Polo’s states, makes a new point that goes beyond how
we feel about it as a physical feature.
But since
politics is in constant flux, it can be difficult and almost useless for
architecture to act as a representation of it. Instead of being a byproduct of
the established politics at play or even merely representing them, architecture
can enter the realm of politics itself by “literally redesigning typical living
conditions or lifestyles – or disrupting political norms or assumed
environmental imperatives.”
So in that
way, the skin is crucial. But I don’t think that means that Zaera Polo
discredits any program that is happening on the interior. In fact, he claims
that the envelope acts as a liaison between private and public, forever on the
cusp of that tension and how it is resolved is where it becomes interesting.
I love the title of your post, The Largest Organ because I think if we look at the facade or envelope from that perspective it gives it a whole new importance instead of just this functional separation between interior and exterior. But going along with the reference of organs, all of the organs in our body work together and I think the organs of a building should do the same thing. I think it's irresponsible to think architecture ends at the skin and the interior of a building is someone else's responsibility. Otherwise you're going to get two very different products which lack a clear identity from what you've set up for the project to be from the perspective of the sidewalk.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting. The Largest Organ. The Skin. to people ( who aren't doctors ) this is what they see, and unfortunately it's sometimes all they see. and if we don't take a second to take a closer look, its what we use to define people. the buildings skin is the identifying thing to the average person. The doctors look at a person, they notice their health, the limp, the yellow eyes, or the bright smile. The architect looks at a building and can notice what its doing to its surroundings. is it contributing to the health of society?
ReplyDeleteI like this idea that the envelope is the liaison between the private and the public. If the envelope can balance between the worlds of technology, sustainability, privacy, programming, etc- maybe it isn't such a terrible thing that it is one of the few places design is happening. It seems very powerful.
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