Pearls

Noted 7.12.2006 Leuven, Belgium

Dr. Buelinckx and I discussed the principles of architecture. Simply, designing spaces fundamentally based on types of structures surrounding the actions of human beings.

Architects should choreograph human movement through spaces. 'Verbs' or actions of humans are most significant because humans are animate beings constantly interacting with one another and with inanimate objects within a space. Engineering tends to base its principles on 'nouns' and objects. It is the job of the architect to determine the type of action and design the space(s) accordingly and then also design the inanimate functional objects within that space. As long as humans are on this planet we are restricted by gravity to movement in the vertical stance and less so in horizontal directions. This means circulation is primarily, if not solely, movement upon a single plane. Design is simple and space becomes complex when one starts manipulating the plane. [MVRDV vs. Le Corbusier]

Hendrika Buelinckx & Jeremy Wahlberg

Trace

verb
1 find or discover by investigation
2 copy by drawing over its lines on a superimposed piece of transparent paper.
noun
1 a mark, object, or other indication of the existence or passing of something
2 a line or pattern displayed by an instrument using a moving pen or a luminous spot on a screen to show the existence or nature of something that is being investigated.

trace as urban graffiti by renowned urban artist Blu

I have been fascinated by the concept of trace for sometime now. This is not necessarily a pursuit of archeology but rather a need to experiment with implementation. How can the concept of trace be exhibited in an architectural project?

The most obvious expression of trace is preservation or movement over a long timeline. There have been many writings that have already successfully explored this topic, especially this long-winded gem about “The mathematics of preservation and the future of urban ruins”. Manaugh begins his argument that urban systems such as overpasses be deemed worthy of architectural preservation, this quickly segues to the infamous work of Albert Speer in his Nazi-Super city of Germania. His article expresses trace in the monumentality of built work and the resonating presence of previous generations. Rome is a perfect example, or the fallen walls surrounding old Montreal. But what about making trace constant, fluctuating and resonant?



I have always been inspired by the work of Richard Long, who is famous for creating art within the environ he is currently a part of. A true critical regionalist, he will make sculpture with rock, sticks or even the trace of his walk. Paths are created behind his continuous and tenacious wake. This idea of trace seems more attune to what I want to accomplish as a concept of architecture. Though Long worked very hard to define his intervention, the essence of his medium will always overtake his previous presence. As if his graffiti “Dick Long was here” will eventually be erased and scattered.

In a couple of previous projects I attempted the idea of trace. Most of the sites began with a base condition, a tabula rasa, and were transformed on a temporal scale by the implementation of my designed architectural system. Planes were moved, removed, repositioned, replaced, inverted, collapsed, extruded, extended, scaled, rotated and most importantly; recorded. The user could see how the site had changed and will change over time. I love mobile, even robotic, architecture. But if there is no recording of previous actions then what is the point?
an image from a studio project that attempted to show continuous site arrangement + displacement over a week

How do you record the movement of forms? Are these new traces inhabitable? Does the architectural system of movement and trace cycle?

I am still very new to this concept which I am sure is a popular one, so please steer me to any resources that I could use to elaborate and implement this concept.

Architectes de l'Urgence

Australia Canada France
This was the best lecture I witnessed in attendance of the 2009 AIA convention in San Fransisco. The weekend was packed with lectures, expo, vendors, representatives, architects, students and San Fransisco. The following lecture was an explanation of the projects of Emergency Architects. This idea/firm is spreading around the globe. I had the chance to see the presentation and hear Q & A. The team is a collaboration across a number of continents. Much like Architecture for Humanity the teams devote themselves to assisting communities in developing countries. However, they do not limit themselves to merely developing countries. The premise is to devise, invent, educate, and develop techniques in areas requiring disaster relief. The disasters do NOT have to be geologic disasters. They point out inequities of existing UN, UNESCO, RedCross relief systems and devise solutions, often working with the local populations. Sometimes this results in architecture, but more likely it results in learning and education. The prominent issue that I gathered was that disaster areas need an open method of communication and and open mind to educate the local communities. The answer was NOT merely a 'super architectural' solution. An example being that a UN school had been built and while that was a helpful structure the community had NO teachers and therefore was in existence unused currently helping no one.

4 main disaster relief points learned from presentation of president Patrick Coulombel

1. provide know-how
2. transfer know-how
3. identify construction
4. implement sustainable techniques for specific population/region

The discussion and examples of architecture did a fantastic job of addressing the varying disaster relief efforts. More could have been discussed in regards to how the foundation works, is funded ( a question posed & answered), the politics of disaster relief architecture, collaborations with other pursuits/firms/agencies etc, and how to continue involvement in this process. I have since googled and looked on TED for more on this group. Most of the information resides on their websites. I would like there to be discussion regarding this topic. It was a very focused topic throughout the convention. The AIA should post soon all the lectures and their respective information. AIA seminar info

wiki: website

Collaborate look and listen

This is a response to a previous email sent out by mr. rutledge about the opportunity to use this community we have gathered here to create and design. I am aware that many of us are busy, especially those that are going to be graduating into unemployment soon, but we should begin preparations to work together on any design competition that may interest us. The point of this blog is to not only share but also to produce. Here is a great example of what we should aspire to be better then. So please comment, add ideas, and peruse this site so that we can begin turning the gears of this operation.

Young Architect

Young Architect

This is a very helpful, and at times controversial, blog from the perspective of a young architect about 5 years out of school. The site began as just another design blog but completely transformed into something else not too long ago. He began writing posts from his perspective for those just starting in the field or still in school. Reading his opinions I at times become scared about some realities that we all must face, especially his belief that the C students eventually become the bosses of the A students. So I would like to begin a discussion about this perspective and how you all perceive the world of architecture at your current position in the field.

The C student is about efficiency and productivity. While their designs may not be as innovative as the A student, their talents will lend more towards successful completions of real life projects. As the C student continues to meet expectations within a company environment, they will advance into management or even start their own companies.