Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Undersea Restaurant

photo credits: http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/maldives/conrad-maldives-rangali-island-MLEHICI/gallery/index.html

Readings: 1. Ryue Nishizawa – Moriyama House     2. Sanford Kwinter – Cooking, Yo-ing, Thinking

In a critical analysis of these two texts it can be undoubtedly concluded that the idea is about breaking away from what the society perceive as ‘norms’. In Sanford Kwinters article he strongly justifies that the general perception of nature by the society is a misconception or a rather biased one for that matter, based on previous assumptions of the like. He has done so with quite extensive and elaborate examples before expressing why and how computer (technology) is an element that is amplifying the way we interact with nature. He also highlights that in order for innovations to take effect, it is essential for the society to evolve alongside technology. Overall the article supports the idea that computers are creating new reality.

The short but rich composition of Moriyama House gives a good insight on the aforementioned approach of relating society and culture with nature. The house allows for dynamic use of space depending on the personal preferences of a person who is occupying the space. This is achieved by dispersing the dwelling itself that on standard basis is seen as one unit.

These two articles are strong renditions of the undeniable relations between man, nature and technology. The three elements that comprise to make what is referred to today as advanced architecture. I am in agreement with Sanford Kwinter’s view on its connection and interaction. The better relation between the three, the more advanced architecture we unveil. The confusion is what combination or balance of the three might be the ‘better’ relation? How do we quantify the limits? This is where one might be skeptical about the idea of digital world. Looking into the existing extents and acceptable extents amongst a given society for a given technological aspect may reveal interesting connections. This I believe would help me understand the aspects though which I may be able to adapt or manipulate one factor of the three to achieve more innovative or advanced architecture.

The Moriyama House by the Office of Ryue Nishizawa, located in Tokyo, Japan. The main idea was to rethink traditional Japanese architecture and create a project that can be inhabited by the owners and at the same time easily rented. This idea became possible with the space structure that consists of a group of rooms different in size, scattered around the site. Garden or courtyard here works as a bonding element within the rooms. Basically each room and garden in this compound is a space in which a person may enjoy his daily life. The project was designed in the special way for the rooms to stand apart from each other and maintain privacy. None of the windows face each other, they either face the wall or the sky. In this house owner can decide which cluster of rooms will be used as residence or as rental rooms.

Stanford Kwinter talks in his ‘Cooking, Yo-ing, Thinking’ how nature and technology can exist together. He disagrees with a saying that computer is just a tool. He compares them to the stone tool that once started the evolution of human kind. This “tool” changed the way we think, the way we perceive things and even the way we live. Computers allow us to see things in a different way, it helps us to understand the world better. They create digital environment that helps us to communicate and interact with each other and nature. He said in his topic that computer should be used to bring humankind closer to nature and create a bond between cultural, natural and digital environments.

The subject for my personal research that I would probably like to develop in the future will be about how modern architecture could be incorporated with nature. This is something that Stanford Kwinter talked about in his ‘Cooking, Yo-ing, Thinking’. Since technology is a big part of modern architecture I would like to see how these two elements will exist together with nature. And how this architecture will possibly help people to get closer to nature and not push us further apart from it.