You Want Atmosphere?! Open a Damn Window
When reading Peter Zumthor's lecture about Atmospheres and how architecture creates them, I couldn't help but feel as though he was missing a major component; fresh air. When it comes to how a space makes me feel, there is no better sensation then a breath of crisp air on the lungs.
To me, the greatest enemy of architecture is the classic 70's office building. Yes, they tend to be pretty bland, but let's blame that on the trends of architecture at the time. The true monstrosity is the fact that these buildings lack operable windows. The workers inside work in a completely unnatural atmosphere where every breathe they breath has been touched by machinery. If Peter Zumthor wants to discuss atmosphere, he needs to discuss how the simple opening of a window can impact a space.
Architects in the modern era should look at windows as the greatest opportunity to create atmosphere within their building. You want to emphasize the materiality of a building? Punch in a window and allow the materiality of the building to be compared to the outside world. You want to capture the beauties of sound? Make the window open so that the sounds of the natural world (and unfortunately the awful sound of cars, but maybe we'll progress past them someday). Opening that window can also help cool that hot room you've been working in all day.
I could go on, but for the case of making this blog post short enough for my peers to want to read it, I will simply end by saying that at least to me, good architecture is architecture that blends the interior and exterior worlds by providing spaces where every breath you take, connects you to the world outside.
John,
ReplyDeleteGood point. However, Zumthor's use of "atmosphere" stems from an understanding of phenomenology, than a literal sense. But if we are to consider the power materials have in creating this atmosphere, surely air is one of them. Air occupies most of the building, it is the primary material. So how we treat the air as a material certainly has an effect on overall atmosphere. And as you said about windows, once we consider the quality of that air, the interior experience can really be shaped from that point of contact between exterior and interior. Would be an interesting building to design if you start with the threshold as the factor that determines the feelings one experiences in a building.
John, I completely agree with you and I think you make a great point. Your post reminds me of the concept of biophilia which is a hypothesis that suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. If this hypothesis is true, then this means that opening windows not only improves the indoor air quality but also boosts employees alertness and cognitive abilities in the office. All of these seem to be key factors in the employee's success and as architects, we have the responsibility to design spaces keeping the well-being of the occupant in mind.
ReplyDeleteFresh air is so, so, so important. I hate going into old buildings because everything just feels stale and stuffy. I used to hate Lee III until the windows magically started working again. I think the key to both good and sustainable architecture is utilizing fresh air and cross-ventilation. I feel that it is a simple solution that often gets overlooked, but it adds so much to a design. Not only are you increasing comfort, but you are also saving energy by using the environment around you.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteInteresting take, and I do agree with you to an extent because nothing is better than opening up a window on a nice day but when it comes to blending the inside and outside Id say go full out and really use the architecture to circulate people outdoor and indoors as long as its in a region whose climate allows it.
John, Yes the operable window goes a long way in place where people spend 1/3rd of their day. As we have also seen in recent times, lots of research goes into productivity and efficiencies in the workplace and fresh air is a tremendous help in increases productivity. Weaving nature within the building can also help create connections with the exterior. Humans were not designed to spend 8 hours a day stuck in a cold white box staring at a screen so how can architects utilize things like operable windows and nature to help workers feel less lifeless?
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