Political Envelopes - A Spectrum
“The discipline has been split between those who believe architecture is a mere social construct and those who believe that architecture’s facts are determined by the inexorable laws of physics, economics, buildability, climatology and ergonomics” - Alejandro Zaera Polo
I believe that architecture exists as a spectrum that is depicted in the quote above. A realm between theoretical and technical. The collaboration of these elements is what makes architecture successful. I believe that in practice, it is important for a firm to be composed of individuals that reside on all areas of the spectrum to give projects the level of depth that they need in technical and theoretical ideology. I believe that I reside somewhere in the middle on this spectrum. Architecture is undoubtedly a social construct as buildings are a necessity to society and humans. The effect that buildings have on their occupants is where the politicizing of architecture is born. An architect that ignores either side of the spectrum fails someone who sees the other side of the spectrum and ultimately pisses them off. A building that ignores its context and doesn’t integrate a well designed facade/envelope fails in the social realm. The linkage between nature and architecture can be seen in this instance. The facade is one of the main opportunities to capitalize on the natural aspects and promote positive social applications. I think of a project like The Media-TIC Building in Barcelona, in which the facade is applied to capitalize on natural environmental factors and create a space that promotes a healthy interior. A project much like the Eden Project comes to mind as well. The envelope successfully creates an amazing interior that enacts as a natural and social bridge to bring the spectrum together.
“The engagement with ecological concerns is contemporary architecture’s most direct path to political effect, and this performance largely depends on the envelope’s design. A political ecology enables architecture to regain an active political role and overcome the division between nature and politics.” - Alejandro Zaera Polo
I totally agree: it's a spectrum thing for sure. I also like the examples you chose. I don't know anything about the Eden project, but I feel like the Media-TIC building is a performance facade done right. It's a statement, sure, but it also looks like it does because it does the thing that it does. Aces.
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