Relational Logics – T1

By Neel Kaul | Published: November 10, 2014

Case study – STUDIO HOUSE

F451 ARQUITECTURA

ANALYSIS – The house which is situated in Gijon, Spain having a built-up area of 395 sq.mt where the nature and the house blend in with each other in terms of form as well as the function. The house which uses the natural slope of the site makes it more interactive with the surroundings. By using the natural slope of the site the architect has been able to differentiate the spaces from each other but still the managed to integrate the usage of space and has connected it with one central semi-open core which divides the house on basis of its functions to maintain the sanctity and privacy of each space and which also gives individuality to each space. By using the site levels and keeping the spaces separate from each other I think every space has its own character with respect to the ground and surroundings as well.

There are lot of relational logics which can be observed in this house such as the landscape or the natural slope in this house acts as an orienting guide for the user as well as the viewer. The other logic which I can put under the metaphorical relation is that this house has a strong expression of nature but in terms of the way the functions of this house has been b ranched which gives a similar image of the branching of the tree. This house has a very defined and strong visual and physical connection as well. Due to its levels and using the site topography a user inside the house can actually understand where he/she is. The typology of the house is mixed because it looks like a mix of the industrial warehouse by taking the north light from above and yet having all the functions of the regular house and it can be very well classified under the disturbed relational logic. Under the environmental relational logic I feel the architect has not tried to bring the natural elements to site rather has brought the house to the nature.

Text – THE CONDITIONED OUTDOOR ROOM

BERNARD RUDOFSKY

ANALYSIS – This text debates about the outside and the inside environment. I think the author is questioning the readers that everybody is trying to duplicate or manipulate the climate according to their preferences so that they would not require the natural environment but is this okay for human species to have all the artificial comfort they need from the environment and live in a box? Will they still be humans? Every person has a demand or an idea of the perfect utopian climate but is there really a perfect climate. I don’t think there is one. Rude/ harsh climate breeds the sort of people who have the stamina to face it. Climate control was always on peoples mind since the beginning and the start of fire and living in caves for the early men is the biggest example of that. The author also puts a special emphasis on the kind of so called controlled environment which ends at your doorstep, why should it be this way? According to him an American talking about outdoors usually means his garden but at the same time doesn’t think his garden as a potential living space. The author has tried to relate the historical roman garden with today’s garden which have just become a mere piece of ornament by the use of glass walls and picture windows. But he has encouraged the people to use walls but solid walls to fence their gardens and has tried to relate the modern day gardens with the roman gardens.

Personal research topic – chaos theory and the butterfly effect (fractal theory)

fractal

I am personally intrigued by the fact that nature has so many forms in it and they all relate to mathematics and you can actually break them into fractals (ref. fractal theory). I would like to understand the dynamics and forms that nature has by simply repeating itself in to smaller forms and making such a huge pallet of forms and patterns.

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Gyratory of Time and Architecture

By Shreyas More | Published: November 10, 2014

gyratory

Relations in architecture explain and investigate the observations about form and function by scientific and mathematic justifications. It elaborates on the harmony of design with its surroundings to create optimum results in architectural design. These relations do not only possess materialist values but also have the ability to cast psychological sways on the user experience.

 

Architect Phillipe Rahm’s laws of designing delineates that architecture is organic and is enclosed within an eco-system which identifies forms and functions through different cycles of time. With the increasing imbalance in nature, he redefines sustainability as conscious way of designing which doesn’t jeopardize the ability of future to sustain itself. It very important to understand through his theories that sustainable designing not only involves being sensitive about the needs of today but also about the possible scarcities of the future. Designing self-sufficient buildings doesn’t require perpetual dependencies on expensive technologies but requires thoughtful involvement of ecosystem in a passive manner.

 

For instance, the architect Andres Jaqúe of never never land house uses the positional relations of space with environment to design the house within the spatial dynamics. However, while the architect aims to achieve surreal experience from his design, I believe the impact is attained only by the essence surrounding and not the architecture. As a hypothesis, if we neglect the biota, the architecture cannot sustain itself and hence is not a balanced. The building is therefore isolated and not part of any dialogue with the system.

 

The theory on form and function follows climate draws a good relation between architecture and cultural contexts of different people from different time which respond to climatic shifts. It breaks from the notion that designed spaces should be rigid and that extricating them adds multiple dimensions to space resulting into perpetual architecture with organic use. It is important to break free from the idea of using technologically advanced systems which isolates the building from its surroundings. Instead, as architects, we need to open up to the environment and adapt to the effects of climate engulfing architecture.

 

We can draw a brief conclusion that architecture has progressed in a series of dramatic changes repeating itself in time. Beginning from the ancient architecture in caves, to exceedingly ornamental styles, to the reign of the modernism, and from there, the beginning of contemporary style which again showcases ornamental needs in a different fashion. Today we are conscious of advanced theories for a sustainable future. But what is sustainable future? The intended research would include exploration and answers to these questions. The need has come to design sensitively with multiple informative parameters. We need to understand that expensive technologies designed to minimise greenhouse effect, use up intensive fuels for production. Therefore it is not the optimum solution. If we continue the rhythm of change in architecture, will ‘advanced caves’ be the best resolution? Will advanced passive techniques be the key to sustainable architecture in future?

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T4- Relational logics- Man and Nature

By Shashank Shahabadi | Published: November 10, 2014

Case Study: Moriyama House / Ryue Nishizawa
Reading Text: Cooking, Yo-ing, Thinking / Sanford Kwinter

Japanese architect, Ryue Nishizawa, has a new outline of private and community living with The Moriyama House which is a flexible-format of minimalism. The house is a perfect example of a home designed like a community while connecting the inside and outside. Located in the suburbs of Tokyo, this modern architectural concept presents a multi-building residence comprising a concentration of ten separate cuboids, ranging from 1 to 3 stories high, where every room is a building by itself and the space between the buildings form a passage or garden.
The freedom of using a space is given to the clients which will be used as a residence or rental rooms. The architect breaks from the conventional housing typology to a more organized space forming clusters. It also moves away from the traditional Japanese courtyard type house to form a series of small buildings and gardens – creating a disturbed relational logic where the buildings and the nature form a mature tangible interrelationship.
This concept is also explained by Sanford Kwinter in his article. He writes about the complex relation between man and nature. He strongly justifies that the common perception of nature by the society being a separate entity is a misconception. He has supported his belief with a lot of elaborately described examples. He states that man in merely not an actor in nature but an integral part of it. He emphasizes that computer- man’s prized creation is not merely a tool but a very important interactive medium which can change the way we understand or sense nature. He also highlights that the society has to progress alongside innovation in technology. Over all the article supports that digitizing the world can be more productive and that we should not treat computers differently and it should form an integral part of nature and society.

Image on the right:  Angkor-wat Ruins ,Title: Nature has a way to incorporate us even if we don’t want to.Angkor-Wat-Ruins

Image courtesy: www.tarigna.net

I believe architecture is the most mature and advanced form of human ingenuity. The timeless appeal of architecture transcends cultures and generations. Historical eras and civilizations can clearly be identified by their distinct architectural patterns, which serve as icons of a bygone era.

In modern day computers have helped us to realize more complex scenarios, making room for more advance systems of architecture. The early ancient relation we had with nature which got lost in modern times is re-emerging again. Our societies more than ever wants to be integrated with nature.

I am of the opinion that more connections we build with nature the better our world can be. Computers have given us the power to let our imagination run riot. But we shouldn’t be completely dependent on technology. It shouldn’t overpower human thinking and creativity.

Buildings should be emblematic of their era and cities should evolve and age gracefully.  Technology is the biggest drive in defining new spaces. Hence I am driven by the desire to develop a coherent schema of architectural design by incorporating design elements from the past and melding it with modern conveniences to address modern days growing demand of interacting with nature and technology.

References: http://www.wohnmodelle.at

http://openbuildings.com

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Relational Logics T5

By Nada Shalaby | Published: November 10, 2014
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https://d2t1xqejof9utc.cloudfront.net/screenshots/pics/56f5570eb29b9e01f936b1c4c69a5f43/small.gif

The Never Never land house, a party house conveniently located at an elevation in the lush vegetation of Ibiza. This construction represents certain desires and fettishes that only translate into reality through synthetic drugs and romantic prespetives. The catalyst for the design process is unclear and premature, trying to apply positional and metaphorical relations but failing in terms of completion when it comes to sound reasonings or patterns of nature. The architect claims that the structure is interactive with the surrounding nature, that the design conserves yet interacts. However, this conversation is yet to be audible.

Switching gears into more technical literature, the “Form & Function Follow Climate” text by Philippe Rahm, explains briefly yet explicitly the relations between climate and architecture throughout time and scientific progress. He believes that meeting the needs of today should not compromise the needs of the future. By reducing the consumpiton of non renewable energy through studying the basics of space, levels and relevant variations of temperatures, man can in fact use nature to his advantage without exploiting its resources. Giving examples of how humans through time have adapted and harvested different kinds of energies from different resources without the aid of technology. As the Afghans leveled their houses and moved through spaces according to time of day or climate. To constructing mashrabeyas in Islamic regions to ventelate and circulate air. Then to the French who used “vaults” or stables as living areas to benefit from their animals heat emission.

This line of research in the broad sense is interesting as it studies the simplest ways architecture and energy harvesting correlate in different angles. To take advantage of old methods renewed through research and technology and consequently shape the future in terms of energy consumption and architecture. “Form vs Function”, and in turn, vs “Nature and Energies ” might be the simple equation superficially, yet the succesful connection between all elements would be the in depth research.

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Form and function follow climate / Never never land

By Ngoc Anh Vu | Published: November 10, 2014

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Environment degradation is becoming predominant in this day and age and architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of sustainability.  Sustainable design attempts to have an understanding of the natural processes as well as the environmental impact of the design.  In these text Form and Function Follow Climate, Philippe Rahm show the main idea about the form/function relationship with climate and a paradox that  for achieving a sustainable building, it has to be isolated from and autonomous to follow his three underlying principles which are an air light shell, excellent heat insulation and mechanical airflow.

In conclusion, Rahm suggests that to liberate the space and the altogether; also suggests not making new rooms to accommodate new functions, but to give free rein to the functional interpretation of space.

The case study which called Never Never Land designed by Andrés Jaque Architects located in San José, Ibiza. The project began with detailed mapping of the flora and fauna on the site. The house is built around the already present trees, and is lifted off the ground to avoid any sort of disturbance to the ground ( paving, crops, watering or other input) which might eventually alter its properties, the way it works or the sort of association that the plant and animal communities now have with the soil in an attempt to leave all possible plants and systems intact. In addition, the waste filtering and treating equipment, as well as the water tank, are fitted into a reinforced concrete vessel, in order to prevent them from acting as ‘requalifying’ agents in the environment .

personal research proposal:

Sustainability often is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

During my research I recognized that achieving greater sustainability in the field of construction is significantly potential, because building construction consumes more energy and resources than any other economic activity so I would like to investigate in self sufficient building to stay green, stay isolated, stay prepared, or stay thrifty

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