CONSTRUCTING ARCHITECTURE Aleš Moravec
INTRODUCTION
The assignment for Constructing Architecture was to analyse five design processes from five different architects/architectural offices with direct relation to specific project. In the second part, five artefacts/archetypes related to specific project (chosen at the first part), had to be found. While analysing the process I focused on other projects done by the same office, because there are usually the same people behind the projects, having the same mind set, therefore a pattern of development should be clearly identified within the projects. I found this objective interesting and enriching even for my own process, even though I’m aware of being more generic than expected. In some cases the process is very specific, in case of renovations for example because architect who is in charge of the renovation has to deal with somebody else’s mind set first and then he can apply his own. The timelines are complex drawings considering a lot of aspects of the process, therefore every stroke was done on purpose in order to express certain development. A guidance how to read the booklet is provided in next chapter, called: MANUAL.
MANUAL
As mentioned above the timelines are complex drawings so please pay attention to line width, line type, direction (vertical and horizontal), frequency and colour. Every illustration is provided with a little caption, consisting of a heading and usually one sentence in order to provide more detail information about the step, however the illustrations and headings should be sufficient in order to understand them.
Horizontal direction time
Main process Parallel process It might be analysis, experiment or it may express a contribution of every participant involved to the process (OAO office).
Vertical direction progress
Something ambiguous Guidline Regulations, client or concept, creating boundaries for future development
Changes fast development in short time period
Importance Start of the process
Analysis
Line break The lines are cut because of the format and binding only. Milestone
PROCESSES
01 02 03 04 05
IBA - MARK HEMEL Canton Tower
MEI - MICHIEL VAN LOON McDonald’s Coolsingel 44
OAO - JAN SCHEVERS Herremans villa
DIEDERENDIRRIX - PAUL DIEDEREN Building Anton renovation
OMA - DAVID GIANOTTEN Taipei Performing Arts Centre
01 IBA - MARK HEMEL Canton Tower
Research
Generating options
Research in order to find enough information to create an algorithm. Maybe an analysis of the site is done but not necessarily.
The algorithm generates a lot of options according to set parameters.
The timeline is related to Canton Tower, however the architecture of IBA is pretty generic. The biggest issue is that they stick to one form generated by algorithm, dragging it through the whole process with minimal changes. Therefore the process described below might be related to other IBA’s projects as well.
Being generic Building foundations without knowing what would be above them..
Generic: Location specific: Client specific: Multidisciplinary: Experimenting:
Choosing one Algorithm design Algorithm is designed according to knowledge gained during the research or interest.
One option - shell is selected and “raped” in future development.
The icing on the cake
Scaling The generated form is very abstract, almost no details. Therefore it can be scaled as necessary. Scale-less architecture.
Now it’s attractive enough!
Stuffing - “raping”
Finishing - polishing
The building is developed from the outside because the goal is to create eye-catching building. Therefore exterior is fixed - shell and program is stuffed inside the volume no matter what.
Building is basically finished, however there might be a way how to make it even more attractive for client.
02
Experiment Experimenting with material, making something original, unexpected. Creating another layer, which appears under certain conditions. 4th dimension.
MEI - MICHIEL VAN LOON McDonald’s Coolsingel 44
Values
Mei are real material enthusiasts, experimenting, tying to develop extraordinary solution, which suits the location.
Location/context and program/client analysis is essential in order to identify values.
Generic: Location specific: Client specific: Multidisciplinary: Experimenting:
Synthesis Synthesizing discovered values in order to set specific concept.
Almost
Fitting concept
Three dimensions are finished so let’s add one more.
Experiment has to fit the concept otherwise it’s not applied. They wouldn’t apply it just to show off.
Experiment applied The result of the experiment are applied on the design. Both, the design as well as the experiment were developed hand by hand, therefore they are compatible.
Point of view Design is developed by looking at the product from different points of view, client’s, architect’s and user’s.
03 OAO - JAN SCHEVERS
Client’s tool
Analysis & Values
Ready to use when needed.
At the very beginning a deep analysis of the client and location/regulations. Values are identified in order to set the concept.
Herremans villa Jan uses models in order to develop and test the concept against client wishes as well as against regulation and context. Moreover Jan uses models in order to invite client into the process and help him to identify himself with the building. The process description is generic for this project but specific for the architect.
Generic: Location specific: Client specific: Multidisciplinary: Experimenting:
“multidisciplinary one-man show”
Jan’s tool Ready to use when needed.
2nd model - structure 1st model - volume Every model has its specific purpose. Some models are made in order to or show something to client.
Some models are made in order to test regulations or context.
Problem - spotted Client wants different solution, which hasn’t been offered yet.
Solution Found element is modified and paste.
Problem - answer Model XY - circulation By using models, Jan invites client to participate on the concept and on its development. It’s also a good tool how client can identify himself with the building.
Jan suggests a solution, however the final solution is not proposed yet.
Tool box Finally a time for magic box. A best fitting element is found and copied in order to solve the problem.
04
Object of reconstruction Ordinary but well built building, which purpose is no longer valid.
DIEDERENDIRRIX - PAUL DIEDEREN
Stripping
Building Anton renovation
BIM Diederendirrix consider itself as an expert on renovations, however they design new buildings as well. The process sketched bellow is specific for renovation only.
Building a BIM model is already part of the analysis, however straight after the analysis it’s used plentifully because of its complexity/integrity.
Generic: Location specific: Client specific: Multidisciplinary: Experimenting:
X-ray scanning Identifying, understanding and analysing of existing structure.
Getting rid of the valueless parts and keeping the valuable things identified in analysis.
What to do better? Close examination of parts, which have a certain potential for individual expression of the users. “How can I distinguish?�
Express your individuality A place for individual expression is located and designed in order to be as flexible as possible.
Dressing Applying the concept. Something new is being formed.
Think tank -AMO
05
Specially dedicated department focusing on research, intellectual development and setting the direction for future development - rising questions for OMA
OMA - DAVID GIANOTTEN Taipei Performing Arts Centre Special office with special approach to their work and clients. Proposed design solution solves more problems then asked in a brief.
Analysis Generic:
How can we solve it in a better way so we keep what is already here?
Analysis of client, product, context and program.
Location specific: Client specific: Multidisciplinary: Experimenting: Rising a question Focusing on something which was discovered in the analysis and wasn’t part of a brief but is essential and most offices would miss it but for OMA it’s fundamental in building up the concept and that’s why they have AMO.
Theatrical gesture Achieved
Scenography is finished, play may begin!
The end of design process is when OMA answers all the AMO’s questions.
Hindsight With hindsight OMA is critical and open to any changes, that may improve any aspect of the building.
Towards the goal OMA and AMO know their goal and they work to mutual benefit, however showing poker face towards public/client.
ARTEFACTS
01 02 03 04 05
CANTON TOWER vs. GLASGOW RIVERSIDE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT MCDONALD’S COOLSINGEL 44 vs. APPLE STORE 5TH AVENUE HERREMANS VILLA vs. MÜLLER VILLA BUILDING ANTON vs. LA FÁBRICA TAIPEI PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE vs. AMO
CANTON TOWER location: Guangzhou architect: IBA - Info Based Architecture process: 2004 - 2010
Parametric
Location NON-specific
The building itself is designed by computer, however the algorithm is designed by architect..
Both buildings appear to be artificial in their context.
01 CANTON TOWER vs. GLASGOW RIVERSIDE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT
GLASGOW RIVERSIDE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT location: Glasgow architect: Zaha Hadid Architects process: 2004 - 2011
Landmark Both buildings are eye-catching landmarks.
Scale-less
Designed form is scaled in order to fit the assignment...
Construction challenging
Because of the complex and complicated forms, construction techniques are facing serious challenge in order to build them.
Program stuffing
Buildings are designed from the outside, therefore the program is basically just a stuffing inside a shell.
Sharing human resources
Barbara Kuit is one of the partners at IBA office, who cooperated with Zaha Hadid in a past, however she didn’t collaborate on the Glasgow Riverside Museum of Transport.
MCDONALD’S COOLSINGEL 44 location: Rotterdam architect: mei architects finished: 2015
02 MCDONALD’S COOLSINGEL 44 vs. APPLE STORE 5TH AVENUE
APPLE STORE 5TH AVENUE location: New York architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson finished: 2006
Corporation design
Material experiment
Every corporation has its own graphic manual/design manual so the appearance on market is coherent. In practice it means dealing with restrictions and regulations.
Experimenting with material, pushing them on their limits, by doing so, adding another dimension in experience.
Transparency Both buildings are being as transparent as possible because the architect was aware of what is happening behind the building.
“It looks like an Apple store.” Unknown
Approach
Urban building
Time - 4th dimension Considering time as another dimension, the appearance of the building during day and night is different. Day - submissive, night - dominant.
Both buildings are context very specific, reacting to extraordinary urban situation. Both buildings can be approached from 360°, therefore there is basically no back or front side of the building.
HERREMANS VILLA location: Amsterdam architect: OAO - Open Architectural Office finished: under construction
Exterior is style-less
03 HERREMANS VILLA vs. MÜLLER VILLA
Volume & Program Both buildings have similar volume, flooring and program.
Designed from the inside... “I design for inhabitants, not for passers-by.”
MÜLLER VILLA location: Prague architect: Adolf Loos finished: 1930
Adolf Loos
Designed in volumes, not plans!
Location specific
Fluid space Visual connection of spaces has specific demands on structure.
Using the same principles as Adolf Loos developed in concept known as Raumplan. Every room/function is designed with specific floor height.
Using local materials, construction techniques, considering context and topography.
BUILDING ANTON location: Eindhoven architect: Diederendirrix finished: 2013
Industrial heritage
04 BUILDING ANTON vs. LA FÁBRICA
Renovation Both projects are renovation projects, transforming industrial building to mixed use building, the only difference is that La Fábrica is basically occupied by single group of people, while Anton is open to everyone. Both buildings are industrial with solid concrete structure.
LA FÁBRICA location: Barcelona architect: Ricardo Bofill started:1975 but still in progress
Stripping
Key values of the buildings are identified and kept. Usually load bearing structures and faรงades are kept because of genius loci.
From hall to unit
Original halls are not required anymore, therefore they are transformed to units. Transformation from horizontal to vertical connection
Place for individual expression
There is a place for individual expression, even though the whole is coherent. In case of Anton the individual expression is limited to individual units while on the other hand La Fรกbrica has individual expression on its own.
Factory to housing
Both buildings were designed as factories, however they are not needed anymore, adaptation to contemporary needs like housing, offices and public functions.
TAIPEI PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE location: Rotterdam architect: OMA finished: 2015
05 TAIPEI PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE vs. AMO
AMO location: Global architect: OMA started:1975 but still in progress (no it’s not a mistake)
Contingency? Even though OMA’s architecture might seems to be a result of contingent process coming from vacuum, there is an artefact behind it...
thought is also an artefact Thought is also an artefact and OMA has its own “office”,producing thoughts, which is called AMO. Well if architecture doesn’t appear in vacuum than what about thoughts? Of course they don’t appear in vacuum as well, they are products of intellectual process based on observation and understanding the world.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
01 02 03 04 05
Figure: Drawn by Stefan Gandl at Neubau office. www.NeubauLaden.com
Figure: Drawn by Stefan Gandl at Neubau office. www.NeubauLaden.com
Cherry: Downloaded from http://4vector.com/free-vector/cherry-clipart-113047
Detail facade photo: Downloaded from http://www.muzeumprahy.cz/ content/fck/images/Müllerova_vila/vila_1928-30/03.jpg Apple store photo: Downloaded from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg. com/originals/28/5d/27/285d27eda62013e490a93fe98e4c2791.jpg
Herremans villa photo: Downloaded from http://oao.co.nl/test2/portfolio/ desk-concept/
Müller villa photo: Downloaded from http://www.muzeumprahy.cz/content/ fck/images/Müllerova_vila/vila_1928-30/03.jpg
All other drawings were drawn by myself, Aleš Moravec as well as all text was typed by me.