Context
After reading Notes
around the Doppler effect and other Moods of Modernism I was drawn to the
portion from Critical to Projective which stated: “architecture is not an
isolated or autonomous medium, it is actively engaged by the social,
intellectual, and visual culture which is outside the discipline and which encompasses
it.” This made me rethink the process of autonomous architecture. Members such
as Eisenman and Libeskind drew building geometries from city grids and
landmarks. While an argument could be made that they are integrating the
culture of the city into the building, I think this process ignores the most
crucial aspect of buildings: context. As the quote previously stated Architecture
is involved within the context where it wants to be or is even qualified or
not. The surrounding context actually affects the building and the way that it
is used and perceived, not city landmarks. I certainly have used this method of
devising a project, however how can a similar process be replicated, using the
same process with relevant contextual material? I think that careful consideration
of the surrounding community is needed in order to make this process successful.
Cole, I agree. Designing a building within its context should explore integration at a social , economic, cultural, and community level. By looking at multiple layers of context versus just site lines and landmarks creates architecture with more depth and meaning.
ReplyDeleteI am overwhelmed at the absurd arbitrariness of some of these iconic examples of autonomous architecture. If the goal is a 'pure' geometry, why are most of these buildings so confusing to experience? Shouldn't indexical buildings be incredible to experience?
ReplyDeleteAlso, 'fuck context' - Pancho (x3)
I also feel like somethimes they already have something in mind and then just draw lines that connect points and give them an argument to say that they are using the context they are given. That is what I and some of my peers did in am indexiality studio we took. Come out with something and work in reverse to make it fit with our argument.
ReplyDeleteIn school, we're constantly being told to include the surrounding context in our projects. I almost feel cheated when architects such as Eisenman and Libeskind get to create their projects that really have very little to do with context and a whole lot to do with theory. I guess it gives us students something to talk about.
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