Women Are Heroes, JR (2008) – Favela Morro da Providência, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil.

Deleuze and Guattari uses the roots as metaphor to define an open system, decentralized and compost by networks without beginning, middle or end, that implies the idea of infiltration, spreading like water and occupying all the empty spaces. The concept of a Rhizome is explained through six principles:

• 1° and 2° – Connection and heterogeneity: any point of a rhizome can be (and usually is) connected with another one with no order or symmetry;
• 3° – Multiplicity: the idea of unity is substituted by multiplicity, creating an open system that is always changing;
• 4° – Asignifying rupture: a rhizome can be broken, but never stopped, it will return to grow in a different path or maybe with a different function;
• 5° and 6° – Cartography and Decalcomania: the system don’t follow a model, axis or structure. It is like a map, not a tracing.

Related to the society relations of exteriority, in a Rhizome system each person is part of an organism, but still is unique and individual at the same time, and more than that, can start another system or join an existent one. It is a constant process of movement and self-organization that grows in all directions, creating many connection possibilities.

A modern example of a rhizome are the South American favelas. With no hierarchy or bounder, everything is connected, and overflowing the land they occupy, there are cultural exchange with the rest of the city and especially in individual relationships, creating a network much more complex than we can imagine. It never stops to grow (first horizontally then vertically) and in this case, who builds, expands and transforms are those who walk every day by these communities. Seeking survival in scarce conditions, they are their own urban planners, nothing more natural.

View House by Gustavo Frittegotto.

Case study: View House, by Diego Arraigada and Johnston Marklee

Text: The architecture of atmosphere, by Mark Wigley

Built in a suburb surrounded by vegetation in Rosario, Argentina, the View House form is the result of a conflict imposed by the clients two main requirements: integration with landscape and privacy from neighbors. This sculptural house have 300 square meters and was designed by the architects Diego Arraigada and Johnston Marklee in 2004 and concluded in 2009.

With no primary façade, the house is composed by a rough concrete curved form that contrasts with the smooth, calm and delicate interior. The basic mass is shaped by four geometric and distinct subtractions, and through positional logics system, the architects designed generous windows that connect interior and exterior, flaming the landscape and leading the owners to contemplate the nature. The spiral circulation leads to the roof terrace, where the users can enjoy the sun and the lull.

The architects concern about the environment and the technique of atmospherical system can be notice by the house minimal footprint and the care about void the artificial light use. Carefully guided, the big windows provide indirect sun light and cross ventilation, creating thermal zones and more than that, incredible light effects on the peaceful and white interior.

The Architecture of Atmosphere is an article publish by Mark Wigley in the book Daidalos (1998) where the architect points that atmosphere is everything that surround the building, and independent of the intent of the architect can’t be controlled. As an abstract environment created by the users’ behavior, nature and architecture, the atmosphere can’t be measure or delimited.

A proof of how architects always tried to control this atmosphere can be founded on Frank Lloyd Wright sketches, where he used to draw the sky and the environment with straight lines, as if the building would interfere on this atmosphere. Nowadays it can be seen on the renders full of ornament and special effects.

Comparing both texts is possible to notice how architectures, using different systems (logical or structural) attempt to create buildings that are able to change the atmosphere and the relation between users and environment, but that is something that (even with a big help of the design) depends of the users, society and nature, that can accept the proposed project, denied it or mold it.

As a personal research topic, I am really interested about integrate man, building and nature in a directly way, transforming the construction in a living building that breathers, perspires and transforms, not just reducing the impact on the environment but also improving life quality to the users and citizens.