The Echo of Iteration and Thought
Quote to reflect on:
"One could say that their definition of disciplinarity is directed against reification rather then toward the possibility of emergence. While reification concerns itself with the negative reduction of qualitative experience to quantification, emergence promises that serial accumulation may itself result in the production of new qualities."
- Somol and Whiting, Notes around the Doppler Effect and other Moods of Modernism
I think this idea of "serial accumulation" is something that happens quite a bit in the world of art and architecture. Though an idea may be reused over and over again, the final outcome of the built design could have a different result than the previous. Continual recycling of ideas could lead to innovations that might have been overlooked without an extensive iterative process.
To continue the conversation, Hays reflects on the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe. Rather than focusing on iterative design and the "actual existence" of something being repeated, Hays notes that the Pavilion generates different and often changing reflections and meanings of user's experiences interacting with the building. I have never considered the aging of a building and perhaps how it is perceived by someone who is currently interacting with it. Of course to an extent all buildings were designed with an initial intent. But what if that intention of necessity of the building becomes obsolete? It is then up to the future generations to determine the value and function of the pre-existing architecture. Therefore, different reflections and meanings are derived from all users over an extensive timeline.
It is important to note that the Barcelona Pavilion has many special qualities that I think allow for this reflective nature. Its materials, interactions with nature (sun and water), and mirroring capabilities make it the perfect place to think and generate news ideas from. It is an experience to interact with such a clean, articulate form.
I write all of this to say that the built environment creates an echo. Whether it sets a standard for a new typology (which would be both butchered and upgraded through iterations) or whether it makes people consider the role of the building throughout its lifespan.
I think that it's interesting that you bring up intentions and the possibility of the intention of a building becoming obsolete. I think that reinforces the idea that its the combination of the autonomous and cultural product that creates "successful" architecture. By understanding architectural language and successfully manipulating elements such as rhythm, balance, and hierarchy, a building can still remain relevant even if the intent becomes obsolete.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the built environment creating an "echo." Architecture creates an echo in all kinds of way whether echoing typology, form, culture, science, or simply the needs of people at various times. Like the Doppler effect discussed later, architecture continues to morph and "echo" over time though the source of the sound remains the same.
ReplyDeleteThere is that joke that goes architects only steal ideas from each other. The fact is that sometimes you just don't fix things that aren't broken. I agree with your point that iterations of the same thing can lead to innovation. Architects have to be willing to experiment to find innovative solutions. Like you said, an idea can have an echo that resonates over time. We have to be willing to listen to those echoes to find ways to improve the field of architecture.
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