Illusion / Mystery:
The second group of images that was strongly evident is what I call the act of illusion. What I mean by this is that of a sense of illusion, mystery, “how in the world did they…” I have a deep engineering background and understand structure and some of the challenges behind the structure. These designs have that aspect. I like designs that make me sit there a try to analyze the structure, determine where the structure is, how the structural loading is handled. All of this while the design is still a major component to what I am looking at as well.
Some people may argue that this kind of design is a waste of money. My response to that theory and questioning is that the resources, knowledge, and desire are out there why let it go to waste. As designers and architects, I feel that we should continue to challenge ourselves and push our comfort level each and every time.
These designs all have a combination of points listed above that I am beginning to look for in a design.
As a note, one of the designs (Vontz Center for Molecular Design, designed by Frank Gehry) is on the campus that I received my bachelors degree from, The University of Cincinnati.
The second group of images that was strongly evident is what I call the act of illusion. What I mean by this is that of a sense of illusion, mystery, “how in the world did they…” I have a deep engineering background and understand structure and some of the challenges behind the structure. These designs have that aspect. I like designs that make me sit there a try to analyze the structure, determine where the structure is, how the structural loading is handled. All of this while the design is still a major component to what I am looking at as well.
Some people may argue that this kind of design is a waste of money. My response to that theory and questioning is that the resources, knowledge, and desire are out there why let it go to waste. As designers and architects, I feel that we should continue to challenge ourselves and push our comfort level each and every time.
These designs all have a combination of points listed above that I am beginning to look for in a design.
As a note, one of the designs (Vontz Center for Molecular Design, designed by Frank Gehry) is on the campus that I received my bachelors degree from, The University of Cincinnati.
6 comments:
Chad,
I really enjoyed your posting on Illusion. That is one I wished I would have thought about myself. It think illusion is what draws people to architecture. When I first saw the Denver Museum of art guess what I said? "how in the world did they..." Illusion is a great topic for meaningful architecture. I agree with your comment about utilizing the technolgy that we have and pushing our selves to the limit. However, some of these great "illusions" happen on buildings not frequent enough, I know I would like to see it more. I am sure you would argee with that. Because of the cost of these special structures, budgets, engineering, zoning issues and labor etc... I think is partly to blame why we don't see it as much. What do you think?
It must be nice having an engineering background to understand loading and structures. I look forward to learning from you. Great choices in photos and projects and great presentation.
Chad-
I really like the "illusional" building. Illusions are great especially when architects can make you stand back and say "huh?" Thinking about the structural aspect of these buildings is something that I do as well...and that's probably part of the "how did they..."
Your collection for nature was intriguing as well. There are not too many projects that it is apparent that the architect took into account the surrounding environment. Interacting with nature and not the other way around is something that doesn't come across a lot.
Great presentations!
Hi Chad,
I think your images are wonderful. I really like how you tackled the issue of illusion/mystery and how some people can think it is a waste. Can you imagine how boring our world would be if everyone thought that way...yuck!
I too have similar thoughts about your "nature" group, as you'll see on my blog. I really enjoy the grouping of images that you used. Some of the architecture blends into its surroundings where as some of the more modern pieces pop, yet still respect their surroundings. I would like to find out more about the one that looks like large leaves, I have never seen it before and it is rather intriguing. Any leads for me??
Kate
Curtis –
I will completely agree with you that budget, engineering, and zoning issues are a common downfall with today’s architecture. The only hope that you have is that you find a client with bottomless pockets, an engineer willing to take on the challenge, and a jurisdiction that has an open mind about art and architecture. Usually though politics rule over anything.
I say bottomless pockets, but it is always a goal to create something for the cheapest cost as well. All of us have been hard for a dime a time or two, so we all know what it is like to be efficient and frugal. We should find the most effective and cost efficient designs as well.
Chad,
Thanks for starting up this great dialogue. I have enjoyed everyone's responses as well. In all of this I think the Architect has the control on the illusion of the building. Its the choice of an Architect to see where a design will and will not go. Amazing structural elements are expensive but I'm sure we could have some illusion without the big structural feats. Not to say that all points about the budgets, zoning, climate are not valid show stoppers, I just hope someday I can have the liberty to say no to a client that won't engage design. Can't wait to see all you guys to talk about this in person.
Chris
Chad,
Can you elaborate on what you mean by "Illusion"? What kind of illusion (which refers after all to something that is not real) is evoked by the buildings, which all have a very strong sculptural presence? Also, I don't think that the buildings are about mystery, because the core of a mystery remains hidden and beyond our understanding, but the buildings are based - as you point out - on sophisticated knowledge and understanding of structure that might puzzle us for a moment, but can be figured out.
Maybe some mystery comes into play when one asks, why the buildings are sculpted like this. The justification for this approach needs to go beyond the fact that one can do them. What is the meaning of these forms? An answer might lead into the realm of art: I am paraphrasing Brancusi "All true architecture is sculpture". Maybe aspects of the site (Falligwater) call for such a response, or sometimes the inherent scultural force - giving identity to the building - are driving factors.
Please take my comments as a compliment for assembling such a "charged" bunch of evokative projects and not as a critique of your work. The next step is to condense the text and get in on the boards.
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