Architecture of Place, Purpose & People
Theory By: Kameron Freeman
Architecture of Place, Purpose & People Theory & Writings by: Kameron Freeman History/Theory of Architecture III
University of North Carolina at Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture School of Architecture
This “little book of theory” is dedicated to the outstanding number of people who are unaware of what the teachings of architecture can inspire. “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Table of Contents Introduction - 1 Place - 2
Purpose - 6 People - 10
Conclusion - 14
Bibliography - 15
Introduction Architecture can be an idea, a theory, or a physical artifact. Architecture is the organization of space, designed for an intended place, for an intended purpose and for an intended people. Without these intentions the design is no longer architecture, but something else.
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Place
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An architectural design is always for a place. The place is a combination of the physical characteristics of a site, and the cultural aspects of an area. Many times a design is focused on site or cultural analysis which inform the total design. Architecture can be infinitely diverse on the notion of designing for place alone. The world is so vast and the many conditions can influence highly on an architectural design. Architects must then realize that what is designed has an equal affect on the place. In the First Metropolitan Paradox Koolhass states “the further from Earth we are, the closer to what remains of nature.� I believe Koolhass means that the amount we take away from the earth reflects on how natural our buildings really are.
Many times place is referred to as landscape. In this case a place can be defined with different types, such as urban or natural. When categorizing place, you may also categorize architecture for the place. A design for a city is very different for a design for a park.
View of Rome, Italy
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Place Falling Water - Frank Lloyd Wright American architect Frank Lloyd Wright understood that architecture must have a unique place, with his organic style prairie houses.
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Purpose “Architecture is not simply about space and form, but also about event, action, and what happens in space.� Tschumi is establishing that architecture needs to have a purpose, and not only just a place. An architectural design must be for a specific reason, and in many cases of a specific typology. Spaces are made for a purpose, and that purpose influences the design of that space, programmatically and formally. Historically a Museum differs greatly from a House. These are two different typologies and the designs are treated separate. The purpose of a design is often the final product of the project, and in a lot of cases is the most important factor.
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View inside the National Museum of Roman Art Rafael Moneo
All great architects understood that architecture has a purpose. Purpose is function, and function is the reason to design. With the statement “Form follows Function� American architect Louis Sullivan made it apparent that architecture is highly and most importantly influenced by its purpose, and that any other Model of the Bauhaus - Walter Gropius School of crafts and fine arts aspect of design is a result of the function.
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Purpose Weissenhof Estate - Housing Exhibition
German architect Mies van der Rohe led an exhibition where respected architects from around the world showcased their international style modern houses.
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People In architecture the whole reason we build is for people, humanity, mankind. Architecture has been around since man first needed shelter, and architecture remains as one of mans most essential needs. Through time architecture has been molded and transformed and developed to a point where looking back into history, we can identify different styles and eras. From classical to renaissance to modern to today’s contemporary exist very unique styles of architecture, all dependent on the time period and culture of the people who design and build. In architecture we dwell, we work, we play, and we learn.
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View inside Notre Dame du Haut Le Corbusier
Frampton talks about how in architecture there are private parts and there are public realms. This division reinforces the idea of architecture for people, for expressions like private and public is purely experiential. The public realm, dwellings, regionalism, are all aspects of the relationship between people and architecture that Frampton Thermal Baths, Vals Peter Zumthor discusses in his theory.
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People Kimbell Art Museum - Louis Kahn American architect Louis Kahn designed a space where the public could come gather and view works of art. With its dynamically-lit and spacious galleries, the Kimbell Art Museum is recognized as a significant work of architecture.
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Conclusion Architecture has place, purpose and people. Recognizing that architecture has all of these aspects will lead to designs that uplift communities, protect generations, and inform societies - as architecture continues to evolve through theory and practice.
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Bibliography References from Architectural Theory 1968 -Cacciari - Eupalinos or Architecture -Frampton - The Status of Man and the Status of His Objects -Hollier - Architectural Metaphors -Koolhass - Life in the Metropolis -Tschumi - The Architectural Paradox Other Sources Zumthor - Thinking Architecture Unwin - Analyzing Architecture Lyndon & Moore - Chambers for a Memory Palace
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