TROPES

A trope, in the context of literature, is the figurative use of a word or expression. In architecture, tropes employ this same definition however, in the context of design and structure. Tropes within architecture help to create a general understanding of a building along with its use and setting. These literary devices are not meant to give the full definition or understanding of a building, but to hopefully leave an interpretation that follows its form. In the Lotus Temple designed by Fairborz Sabha, the temple takes the form of a lotus flower, as the name suggests. As an example of metaphoric architecutre, the Lotus Temple is not literally a lotus flower, but instead the structure of the building is explained through the idea of a lotus flower. Similarly, drawings of the Big Duck, a duck-shaped building designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, employ this same use of tropes. The Big Duck lets its use as a duck and duck egg vendor explain its form instead of becoming a literal duck.

Lotus Temple / 1986

Fariborz Sahba

Drawings of concept art by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown