People, Place, and Narrativity: A New Paradigm

 

    The contention between the indexical and diagrammatic approaches to architecture is contrasted by the specific methodologies employed to anchor design decisions. The autonomous decisions taken by the former approach lead to interesting, iconic, and overtly jarring designs that settle onto the landscape. The diagrammatic approach, employed expertly by Rem Koolhaas, provides an avenue to design for and within the multiplicities of architecture. The resultant designs are formed by the people the architect envisions using the site, providing a highly functional design. Secondly, the design is rooted in and informed by the context while simultaneously accepting the challenge of becoming a unique and belonging architecture of place. 

    Lastly, regarding narrativity in architecture, Designers like Bjarke Ingels are creating simplified yet highly iconic architecture through an innovative, highly commodified, and perhaps disingenuous/shallow narrative. Koolhaas's rigor and deftness of storytelling to create within this Doppler architecture (engaging with the multiplicities of design to synthesize) will result in lasting and purposeful impacts on the built environment. 

Drawing: Rem Koolhaas | Maison à Bordeaux