I have always been interested in understanding how buildings shape people, and also how people shape buildings. Can we create a building that creates calm? Can we create a building that creates confusion, anxiety? See below, the Alzheimer's Center by Frank Gehry. If your grandparent was an Alzheimer's patient, is this a place you would want them to go? For me, Architecture is less designing to make a statement, and more designing to improve society. Is this acceptable?
(photo via besthomesdesign.com)Architecture that is EXCITING - Construction Administration
The most exciting part of architecture for me is Construction Administration. As the submittals and RFIs come to my desk at work, I know that my decisions on what manufacturer of roof shingles, or what handrail finish is being used is being built hundreds of miles away. As Peter Zumthor stated in Thinking Architecture, "The real core of all Architectural work lies in the act of Construction ."(11) Verbal and Constructional interactions between the Architect and the Consultants helps direct a building to become a collage of everyones' thoughts combined into one. Again, this becomes everyone's vision, not just the Architects. I suppose the AIA would look down on me for feeling this way about Architecture.
Architecture that is PASSIONATE - Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid is the Architect that I would most like to understand. She creates Architecture that looks like it is sprinting when it is anchored to the ground. Below is the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center. This building is not just an amoebas structure with drainage problems. It is a building whose interior forms a direct interplay with the exterior. In addition to the dramatic form itself, the building also answers the need for an intersection of pedestrian paths in the cultural district of where this is located. Hadid does not turned a blind eye to her surroundings, and for this, i feel she is a responsible Architect that evokes passion in her buildings.
(image via yankodesign.com)
A) That Frank building is scary; I think that would make me feel even more confused if I had Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteB) Interesting that you think of the final project as a 'collage' of all the consultants... I think if all architects viewed it this way (and not as THEIR building), consultants would be more willing to compromise and work harder to make it work.
C) I've never seen a Zaha Hadid work in person, I'd love to see one because I think it would help me understand her intentions more than all these photographs of curving structural members. But she intrigues me as well!