Statement about the Research Content and Process

Description

Instruments Nine and Ten search for means of developing tacit knowledge by manipulating the essential terms of architectural drawing: projection, reception and sciagraphy. They belong to an ongoing body of research that examines indeterminate occupations in architecture beyond the reductive predictions of programme.

Questions

1. In both our phenomenal experience and representation of architecture, shadows play an important role. If we can disturb the shadow beyond our expectations, how does this affect the presence of architecture?

2. What degrees of influence do object, surface and light source parallax have on the relational performance and perception of a floating shadow?

3. How can the terms of architectural projection be reconsidered through the projection of paint rather than light?

4. How can didactic instruments help develop and convey tacit architectural knowledge?

Methodology

The typical expectation of academic research is that findings are articulated in a way that can be passed on to others as explicit knowledge.

In the practice of architecture, however, aspects of design are not always possible to discuss because they exist in the realm of tacit knowledge. This research acknowledges this reality and develops by:

1. Placing the researcher in a phenomenal relationship with the issue that is being studied;

2. Examining didactic instruments in astronomy, natural history and natural sciences;

3. Designing, constructing and operating architectural instruments for gaining tacit knowledge;

4. Working iteratively between different generations of instruments and learning from the evolution of the work;

5. Sharing tacit knowledge by opening up the work to the phenomenal experience of others in public exhibitions.

Dissemination

Two solo exhibitions in collaboration with Perry Kulper at the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, Winnipeg, and The Bartlett, London; a smaller solo show in Copenhagen and two group exhibitions in London and Denver. Five journal papers (New Zealand, UK, USA), seven conference papers (Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, UK), two symposiums (London, New York), and four workshops (Aarhus, Detroit, Winnipeg). Public lectures in North America and Europe and four keynotes in Europe.

Project Highlights

The instruments described in this folio conclude a long period of original practicebased research on design method and representation, sustained for more than two decades. They make a celebrated contribution to the field of experimental architecture, effectively shared with wide audiences in Europe and North America via public lectures, exhibitions and workshops.

Statement of Inclusion of Earlier Work

The work discussed in this folio is the development of an ongoing practice. Some previous instruments are illustrated to contextualise the development of this practice. Instrument Six was modified during the current research cycle to help with the development of Instrument Nine.