Locality, Light, and Life
I find that keeping these posts personal helps me palette the content better; and therefore I shall discuss the parallels between Zumthor's writing and my interests in design-build and affordable housing. I think taking my post from last week as the example will be best.
Peter Zumthor discusses the ways architecture can be broken down to simple qualities. He discusses elements that are easy for us to recognize: sound, light, temperature, etc. But he also discusses materials, surroundings, and composure - which are harder to grasp if not technically trained. All these elements make up the atmospheres we enjoy most, and for some, we aren't even aware. The question that perplexes me the most is, do all these elements have to exist for a space to be the best atmosphere; or can we make-do with the elements at our hand to create atmospheres that are just as amazing?
Most of what Zumthor discusses is "cheap" and can be implemented in many spaces, and that is where my interest lies for affordable housing and design-build
Peter Zumthor discusses the ways architecture can be broken down to simple qualities. He discusses elements that are easy for us to recognize: sound, light, temperature, etc. But he also discusses materials, surroundings, and composure - which are harder to grasp if not technically trained. All these elements make up the atmospheres we enjoy most, and for some, we aren't even aware. The question that perplexes me the most is, do all these elements have to exist for a space to be the best atmosphere; or can we make-do with the elements at our hand to create atmospheres that are just as amazing?
Most of what Zumthor discusses is "cheap" and can be implemented in many spaces, and that is where my interest lies for affordable housing and design-build
- Light
- Sound
- Materiality (to an extent)
- Interior / Exterior
- Movement (seduction)
- Composition
- Life
Why can't an architects, such as Emily Rousch-Elliot from Delta Design-Build (last weeks post) OR even us - as students and design-build educators, work these elements into the simple homes and community buildings she designs? SHE CAN! And that's the coolest thing I have thought about to date. Local materials and light are essential parts of Peter Zumthor's Thermal Baths and they make the sound and temperature and movement really attractive. So, if Emily has access to cheap local materials, and the design mind to create spaces with shadow and light - then these spaces for the less fortunate really can be amazing!
I'm totally with you on keeping these personal. My post this week was mental barfing lol.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I get your point, and I agree that we absolutely can work the elements you mentioned into ANY space. I don't think we need to build a cathedral or a castle or some grand building to convey great atmosphere. Why do we have to bow and scrape to the great names of architecture and claim that we can never achieve their greatness--Zumthor's atmosphere can be achieved by anyone with the proper design sense, no matter the materials. I wish I could put in a picture... it would totally be the Rosie the Riveter "You Can Do It!" XD