Monday, February 28, 2011

The Critique

I would like to continue our discussion from class last week regarding critiques in architectural publications perhaps being too chummy, generally over-flattering, and most definitely uncritical towards the work being written about.

Given the nature of architecture school and how constructive criticism is crucial to the learning process, how do professionals grow and learn from other prominent projects when nearly everything written in major publications about new buildings lacks depth, insight, critical feedback, and reads like a plug for the designer and/or profession?

Is a shift in the architect's understanding of the critique to be once again accepting of legitimate criticism about a project possible in the professional realm? If so, how?

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Manifesto Part 2

Do manifestos have more power as words or as artifacts that show what is being described? Would it make sense to show imagery for a design manifesto to better explain what is being talked about?

Do you think that typography is enough to explain concepts of a visual design format?





The image above is from Patrik Schumacher talking about Parametricism. Does it better explain parametricism then his manifesto?

image from http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Theoretical Lens

Does a designer need to adhere to one specific theory? Can one theory create an all-encompassing understanding of design? Is the Pluralist approach more appropriate for contemporary design , or does this method of inclusion dilute the architecture?

Friday, February 4, 2011

The Manifesto

What is the importance of a manifesto? What do manifestoes contribute to the design community? In addition to defining principles, it is intended to evoke emotion. This emotion is meant to spark action. Manifestos innately are tactile, or more than just words, they find a form to provide a message to a community. Architects as well are striving to find a form that evokes an emotional response and provides a message to a community. Successful architecture exists within a specific place and time, are manifestoes intended to exist only within a specific space and time, or are they eternal?

Sunday, January 30, 2011

boundaries

Heidegger states that “A boundary is not that at which something stops but, the boundary is that, from which something begins its presencing”


As we define place within architecture, it is important for us to understand the boundaries that are created within our environment, both physical and perceived. What makes these connections tangible and why is it important to “embroil” them into architecture? What are we connecting to?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Structuralism....What does it mean to architecture?

Language has been said to be not just a cultural phenomenon but the source of it.

What is the source of architecture? What can we claim the sole source of "good" design is from our architectural language of diagrams to buildings? Is there a figurative structure that we design to other than the restrictions of building codes?