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Appendix
The following pages is a collection of critical appraised texts, films, podcasts, artefacts and other media that has been delivered weekly in order to develop engagement with architectural thinking, urban and cultural practices. “The resources and materials have were selected to specifically frame each students thinking to develop skills in the following areas”:
1. Architectural Research Methods and Observations 2. Identifying and Understanding key Socio-spatial constructs 3. Close reading of buildings and architectural elements 4. Developing a broad range of individual resources for ...Thinkers and Space
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Contents
Novelty in nonsense Interview...................... 32 Memory in a flagstone wall........................... 34 Key Thinkers on Space and Place................ 36 The Digital Crowd.......................................... 38 Precise Medicane..........................................40 Space, Place and the perspective of experience.................................................... 42 Green Space and Place................................44 Architectural conversation............................ 46 Appendix Bibliography ................................ 48 Appendix Figures...... ................................. 49
Adam Caruso
Fig.2
Watching the Adam Caruso interview, ‘Novelty in nonsense’ it is clear to see that he believes that when buildings are constructed as individual objects, they do not have any other potential other than to stand out within its context. Which he then describes the implementation and future of architecture as becoming a commodity. His view of Architecture being in fashion one day, then out of fashion the next, provides the viewer to agree that longevity of modern construction is not as relevant as it should be which therefore questions, when architecture perceived as a commodity is it sustainable? The statement is backed up by his opinion that “As soon as the client moves on…. (one would add wider stakeholders to this list, such as the user as well as the surrounding infrastructure) …the building will be demolished.
The current acceleration of educating society to become sustainably aware may soon place strains on this style of construction. Adam apricated new construction if it is done fittingly. Which leads one on to highlight that globalisation has not affected the client, their needs and their histories are varied proving place is essential to architecture. An example of this comment is Copenhagen; even after the war, those re-designing the city believed in their history of architecture and later continued to construct as architecture is a cultural practice mindfully. It is showing that architecture is an artefact of the city in many visual ways such as scales, materiality and massing of various buildings. It is here where one should recognise a cultural profession, creating architecture today with a relation of the city. The text suggests cities that show a connection to its cultural and architectural history tend to be master-planned more concisely, that respects the rhythm and scale of the city.
Here questions are raised such as quality architecture can be adapted to suit society / the needs of different generations. Can this be said about newer builds?
An interesting quote to take away from this reader is “ to Say something is new is not creditable, as everything has already been done before. If it was new, what makes it good”? Which leads the reader on to mention the use of technology. The use of technology has collectively resolved major global economies emerging after the post-war period in Britain, Europe and America and later in China. ‘problems’, of housing, sanitation, movement/distribution and construction itself. Providing innovation and mechanisation within architecture; however, the discipline of architecture has suffered further division and loss of influence by the growth of consultant roles that deal with ‘technical’ aspects of architecture. It is a challenging time when it is expected that designers meet technical; perfection whilst achieving the highest economic benefit throughout each task; sometimes, creativity is hindered. I feel that the economic aspect is more damaging to creativity that the technical side, as you would expect more extraordinary things as an outcome of more sophisticated technology.
Fig.1
Memory and progress: confessions in a flagstone wall is the research of Mhairi Mcvicar. This article follows the cultural theory of a group that self-built a flagstone wall, stands as a negotiation between theoretical aims and pragmatics of a self-built on an exposed island. The group recognise buildings as evidence of the cultures that once made them. This theory concludes that a building is representative of its time. Highlighted as the group aimed for authenticity throughout construction. Justifying the importation of timber, the use of nineteenth-century construction techniques that are no longer used as they do not express modern desires as well as the accuracy of the craftmanship true to historical references. Collectively are a constant reference that Mcvicar expresses authenticity by exploring the theories behind specific materials. Authenticity is also a constant point that Adam Sharr makes in his article A case for close reading. Both writers express the necessity
of understanding culture; justifiable as we learn how to apricate the nuances of architecture through cultural values. There is pressure to judge a design correctly, understanding all evidence by reading multiple articles and opinions around the subject rather than assuming one view is creditable. Mcvicar archives credibility when working on longhouse as he notes that he spent time theorizing the notion of truth.
Truth element of Mcvicar work is consistent through history to achieve creditable work, Sharr also seeks truth in modern times by implying it is essential to understand the difference between high and low culture and their target audiences and longevity impacts. High culture groups theatre, soap opera, suggesting a higher quality of culture when compared to low culture, Low culture groups pop music and Netflix for example, a collection of media that is popular one minute and forgotten the next.
What I find interesting is that buildings have multiple authors. Adam Sharr states this application that “authorship is not decisive and that all buildings have various authors, serves to undermine the hero myth of the genius designer still promoted by many architects, journalists and critics” (Sharr, 2013: 3). When making adaptations, it is crucial to apricate the ideologies that formed the development initially. Over time, a designer will implement subtle or significant changes. There must be a level of understanding of the buildings culture and theory to maintain a level of truth or authenticity. this related to the flagstone wall, although it was not.
Chapter.10 Judith Butler Key Thinkers on Space and Place Judith Butler
Fig.3
An extract from Phil Hubbard and Rob Kitchins Key thinkers on space and place focal point are psycho-social perspectives to inspire geographical engagements. The Editors examine the work of Judith Butler to being “a kind of abstract theorisation that has induced a radical shift in the pattern of research and scholarship within ‘new cultural’ geography. Hubbard conceives Butler to having clear interests in questioning the naturalness of sex/gender binaries, highlighting queer identity. To the extreme that she has been accused of “making illusions throughout her writing to other theorists from very contradictory theoretical traditions”. Whilst also ignoring other social issues such as race, of which she denies ignorance of the matter as Butler did not reference space or place much. The reader would agree with the opinion of the criticism “that she deconstructs agency without effectively putting forth a useful alternative to humanist versions of the concept” (Nelson, 1999).
The text also provides the reader with the assumption that Butler wanted to be extremely inflectional. By repeatedly stating that she questions the naturalness of sex/gender binaries. A discussion could be raised that by highlighting the matter to the extreme is that segregating or celebrating the topic.
The idea that the city is only characterised from street level is interesting to consider, does the skyline architecture matter? Of course, street level is where urban environments are populated with people from many ethnic backgrounds and gender identities. It is those people that give an urban space its character. “diversity makes the city; without these interactions of the public, the architecture would be redundant. Using Birmingham and an example, the masterplan suggests segregation within the city; historically, this is obvious with the quartering of the city based on manufacturing such as the jewellery quarter. The identity of areas within the city have been adapted to modern times, clearly titled names such as the ‘gay village’, ‘China town’ is two examples. These segregated areas within a city all have particular buildings appropriate to those that use them. For many users, segregation could be seen as beneficial to allow comfort when expressing themselves achieved by a cluster of venues of the same kind in a similar area to build community feel. As awareness grows, acceptance begins to happen, allowing segregation to become less distinctive. The possibilities over time increase; this is the case in Birmingham as the gay pride celebration does not just occur in the gay ‘town’ considered a segregated place based on the name. Now the celebration is integrated into other towns/quarters across Birmingham.
Considering the above allows the architecture to be a result of the people/users rather than architecture informing the type of user that should be present. So in some aspects, one should agree with Butler diversity makes the city, only once areas in segregation grow large enough to be accepted across all parts of a city.
The Digital Crowd
Hazem Ziada
Fig.4
New forms of social intervention come as a result of the acceleration of users within the digital environment along with the expanding variety of methods that allows the sharing of digital media. A combination of one’s physical attendance to an event alone with social attendance generated through cameras/phones creates a hybrid world. As a result of this, hybrid combination events become intensified. I notice that there is a danger when being so engraved with a digital future. Post-event, there will be logged media allowing those who did not attend to become a virtual spectator and revisit/ replay the event. Compare that to the conventional crowd, only the spectator who experiences the event first hand is allowed to draw one’s representation of the event. Hazem Ziada has looked into the Digital Crowd in detail.
Ziada states that the digital world enables something to become regularly catalogued, allowing those taking part in protests to become spectators instead of protesters. Scale this up to the digital world the same thing is happening. Spectators are multiplied when it reaches the internet, as people who are not necessarily interested in the meaning behind the protest. At the point of scaled protests that can be accessed from anywhere becomes a danger. Media can be separated from their source; these images can be manipulated and taken out of context. Incorrect use of images could then be used negatively when the source is detached from an image.
Internet/surveillance can have adverse effects on the lived experience as it can be drawn out of context. At the same time, the connected digital crowd can be seen as lively as it is a live direct connection to an event/architecture. This hybrid digital world that we are creating will impact and possibly change the perception of architecture in the future. The future then changes the expectation various stakeholders have on the vision and how the architect designs and then builds. By that statement, suggest that Such iconic backdrops influence the people’s perception/expectation of architecture. Architects expect themselves to evolve to create novelty architecture in order to be recognised; this Links well with the review of the work by Adam Caruso ‘Novelty in nonsense Interview appraised on a previous page. Cities are traditionally a representation of various movements over some time. It is then the architect that has the pressure of producing iconic structures time after time as an average design can be manipulated and perceived differently. Over time architecture will become a novelty in spaces where the digital environment excels. The digital world forces historical and theoretical reference of architecture out in order to prioritise aesthetical construction based on the social internet environment at the time.
Precise Medicane
Dell M.Hamilton
Fig.5 Fig.6
Dell M. Hamilton work, ‘Precise Medicine’ is a result of interactions with Davis Adjaye, Principle architect of Adjaye Associates. Of which Adjaye highlights the impact that African architecture has unknowingly had on other respected non-African architects as he describes the importance of African form. He also talks about his love for sculpture and how buildings almost have to absorb to the community of black African heritage. Allowing buildings to give back by expressing and crediting the techniques and materials used by slave workers and not always been the case as African techniques and designers have been manipulated at the time.
Adjaye recognises there has been more momentum now to employ black firms within the construction industry, potentially employed as a method to generate a heritage in specific communities. Adjaye highlights that recent movements remove exclusive barriers. Everyone should recognise that art is art, quality is quality, and talent
is talent, no matter on the race or colour. With this in mind, Adjaye recognises that all backgrounds have an architectural history of being proud of and that history should be expressed as a precedent for future work. By doing so, creates a broader contextual reference for minorities to relate.
Consistently Adjaye mentions his work does not disengage with his background. When designing aspects of the National Museum of African Culture and History, this Adjaye background shines. Meaningful designs were not just a piece to indicate trauma but to celebrate culture. This is why Adjaye explores blackness throughout his work. Almost as if he is trying to indicate that the colour black is a unifier which is a theory why all Adjaye’s bespoke elements are cast in black material. Contemporary is crisp, older sections are blemishes and aged. Nevertheless, the black use of colour changes the perception to make new materials look just as distressed as the old.
Later on, Hamilton and Adjaye discuss the emergence of black architects within the building industry. Adjaye draws on his experience to try and influence black architects in the future. Adjaye journey expresses the need for African architects to step forward. So cultural and historical knowledge that can be exploited and expressed when using people of colour as craftsman/artists. He talks about his interests in music, especially jazz, prior to that, he was a reggae enthusiast; it is these Carabian links that also help him relate and reach out to the black community.
In similarity to Herzal, Adjaye finds it difficult for his building to be art. “Im not trying to be an artist, Im trying to expand for architects and the public, the notion that scale and that typology is relevant and needs formal translation” (Adjaye). The engagement is the public realm with collaboration across the creative arts industry to find indeterminate interdisciplinarity fundamental to Adjaye’s work.
Adjaye belief to create a public realm is evident here, if the viewer has not got an understanding of architecture, then going to an architecture exhibition is meaningless as they do not understand the work displayed. However, the same person attending an art exhibition enhances the connection to the materials themself.
Space and Place The Perspective of Experience Dr. Jieling Xiao & Yi-Fu Tuan
Fig.7
The writer, Yi-Fu Tuan, introduces various methods of describing space and place on how senses allow navigation of spaces, and how multiple senses enhance the mind regarding space. Whereas Jeiling’s passion lies, should senses be the drive, for example, tactility, smells, creating memories and designing efficient urban architecture.
Jeiling spoke about the methodology she uses. Firstly, highlighting that qualitative is the understanding, whereas quantitively is finding a pattern or correlation. The qualitative observational research carried out by Jeiling captures movements and senses, but one should question how can this be documented understood and measured. Experiences are sensation perception and conception.
Jeiling observes the movement of dance finding geographic
context can become hyper-local. Listening to the seminar, it appears jeling recognises the conditions of space can vary on the size of the site. Tuan states how space and place are inseparable and dependant on each other; Place is security, space is fredom”. Tuan can seem to describe humans as animals on a sensorial basis when in the urban environment, with the removal of senses when making a statement of a place. Humans are seen to sense such instincts in the example Jeiling highlighted regarding human intervention in space used for dance. Territorial defence of space occurs between the dancers performing traditional square dance and the residents angered by the act. In this case, the public is the audience to square dancing. Viewed both positively and negatively to those who are not involved in the act. In this case, ownership is taken in public space of local communities. Jeiling notes that there is an apparent territorial position of ‘not in my back yard’. The term antisocial behaviour is rewritten as the word typically associated with misbehaving youth is now turntabled and used to describe an older dancing generation.
Jeiling provokes the question does a green space have a benefit over a concrete public space within a built environment. Discussed is the modern-day influence that the public has on repurposing a public place. An example raised is how smooth public spaces could be repurposed to allow other activities such as skateboarding (skateboarding in the city Ian Borden) to take place. Busking is an inevitable activity, but not one that the designers would have allowed for, as the tube is not for public spaces but used as an area for music as the sound amplifies and echos. Spaces allow for public protests. Negatively perceived spaces based on user groups at different times of the day, weather. A form of architectural production, generating architecture / being an architectural designer on how to repurpose space, issues with graffiti as a response to this. Skateboarding in itself is audible in terms of scratches, see the marks on the edges of stones all of these collate to the question does a green space have a benefit over a concrete public space within a built environment.
Gender Space and Place
Jane Rendell
Fig.9
Jane Rendells ‘gender, Space, Architecture’ (1999) appraises the way that gender, in some cases, affects architecture. Rendell explores issues around the subject by referencing other females working in similar disciplines. Touching on some problems to create equal right architecture explored theorised by Sherry Ahrentzen. Women have been excluded from architecture backed as some feminists suggest that “only the buildings of the great male masters have been categorised as ‘architecture’” (Rendell, 1999: 227). What constitutes as architecture should be questioned, women typically associated with a low budget, domestic and interior architecture should be recognised for challenging aspects of traditional microscale architecture theory.
Rendell assesses the diversity of the gender of the modern architect, highlighting such small figures “11% of all architects
are female” (Rendell, 1999: 228). Male and female business relationships could be seen as a negative, Male role is the design work, then leaving the implementation of interior design to the female co-worker. The terms partner and co-worker are then not a true reflection on the roles of each person, not a collaborative process; instead, the female becomes a more silent architect. A fair point which is why some feminists prefer to plunge into the business as a sole owner. Herstory is expressed in Rendall’s request for, the need to remove gender barriers but adapting new architectural theories to provide for architecture today which moves away from male-centred views on architecture.
After understanding this work, it appears that there will be discriminative behaviour towards female architects until there is an equal number of females in the profession. The teaching system needs to be observed to understand that the correct curriculum is taught and sufficient support to introduce new female talent into architectural studies. However, support must not stop upon the exit of the education system, access to work support to should be implemented to see a rise in the number of students that continue to complete their architectural studies. The work of Rendell must continue to provide role models for aspiring females in this profession.
Architectural conversation
Aylin Orbasli
Fig.8
‘Architectural conversation’ by Aylin Orbasli gives the reader an overview of the roles various stakeholders play regarding conservation within architecture. Orbasli identifies that safeguarding conservation does not have one owner, therefore implying that in order to achieve conservation collaboration across multiple disciplines, regulated by institutes, must be present. Collectively, these parties must show an understanding of conservation in the required context, in order for an interpretation to be creditable. The need for the involvement of multiple disciplines is perhaps a result of a lack of professionally qualified people in the conservation field combined with the wide range of disciplines that conservation covers. However, the response of the disciplines should be parallel to one another when considering a building/land in a similar context. As Orbasli suggests, the similarity is a result of published values of underling guides/principles. It appears that there is a reliance on paperwork, justified and detailed reports to be written when undertaking works. Necessary for future generations to understand the architectural and conservational theory and understanding at the time of change.
Although there are not specific governors in the field, there is an accolade which means there is regular monitoring of the ‘value for money’.
What is the reason for conservation? As buildings are adapted over time, layering the original format. History is an insensible part of the environment, living of physical traces of the past. More often than not, economies that force a building to become redundant rather than an inability to repair it. A lack of understanding in the existing building stock contributes to this. Development needs to meet modern-day standards; it must reflect the historical values in order, so it to be justifiable. Well, thought conservations are considerate towards a balance between maximising profits and making a sustainable contribution to an existing site.
Often preservation can increase local land prices. Such economic benefit is evident in the case study that Orbasli provides regarding the decline of planning for shopping are in Covent gardens, London. The question lies in that would the buildings be valued so highly if the plans were to go ahead. She recognises that there needs to be a constant fight for conservations as promotion of national identity. Not only that but one could assume that there is a various environmental and economic benefit to keeping individual buildings. Economic value via tourism is a reason for conservation among many others. Which suggested that the presumption that older buildings carry a higher maintenance cost is a burden to restoration is only speculative, and the actions of repair have on not only the future generations but also the past?
When restoring something like for like, it will never look identical. So why not take this opportunity to make a change through extreme intervention. Examples in the seminar were; extreme intervention dates badly whereas restation will date at the same time if plenty of evidence to restore a building is available. There will be a massive cultural loss/ heritage loss when considering extreme intervention: Balance the sustainability and economic values between the two. Future use of the building needs to be considered to allow its historical significance to remain; it should be understood that if intervene, one will damage that identity / aesthetic to the future generations. The National trust alines with the belief of article 3, distinguishing between the restoration and the original suggesting one cannot raise a building from the dead. Replication does not hold the same value as the original building. To summarise, that would suggest looking forward rather than back. A representation of the modern culture rather than the past. 47
10.0. Appendix Bibliography:
Borden, I, Penner, B, & Rendell, J. (1999), Gender Space Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction, Taylor & Francis Group,London. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [23 October 2020] Created from bcu on 2020-10-23 08:27:36. [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Caruso, A. (2017), Novelty Is Nonsense. Available at: https://youtu.be/ Jyfq7uL-NXg?t=175 [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Hamilton, d. and Adjaye, D. (2013) Precise Medicine. Available at: https:// www.jstor.zrg/stable/10.2979/transition.110.31 [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Hubbard, P. and Kitchin, R. (2012) Key thinkers on space and place, pg 82-90. SAGE Publications Ltd.
McVicar, M. (2007) Memory and progress: Confessions in a flagstone wall. Avalible at: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1359135500000701 [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Sharr, A. (2012), Reading Architecture and Culture: Researching Buildings, Spaces and Documents, Routledge, London. Available at: ProQuest Ebook Central. [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Orbasi, A. (2007) Architectural conservation. London: Blackwell Publishing
Tuan, Y. (2001) Space and Place The Perspective of Experience. University Of Minnesota Press. [Accessed 10 December 2020].
Ziada, H. (2020): The Digital Crowd, Architecture and Culture. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/20507828.2020.1794419 [Accessed 10 December 2020].
10.0. Appendix Figures:
Fig 1:
Sharr,A (2020) Newcastle university [photograph] Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2014/11/ architectsgrandplantowipeoutwhitehall.html [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 2:
Dezeen (2017) London is looking more like Dubai says architect Adam Curuso [photograph] Available at: https://www.dezeen. com/2017/04/12/london-looking-like-dubai-adam-caruso-st-johnarchitecture-news-london-interview/ [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 3:
Pollyanna libary (2018) Judith Butler Study Group: Session 2 [photograph] Available at: http://polly-anna.ca/activity/judithbutler-2 [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 4:
Pintrest (2020) Hazem Ziada [photograph] Available at: https:// www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/214061788510808192/ [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 5:
The Clark (2020) Dell M. Hamilton [photograph] Available at: https://www.clarkart.edu/research-academic/podcast/dell-mhamilton [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 6:
Architect news (2018) David Adjaye [photograph] Available at: https://archinect.com/news/article/150098644/david-adjaye-andhis-take-on-identity-and-narrative-in-architecture [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 7:
BCU(2020) Dr. Jieling Xiao [photograph] Available at: https://www. bcu.ac.uk/architecture-and-design/about-us/our-expertise/our-staff [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 8:
Tourism in historic towns (2018) Aylin Orbasli [photograph] Available at: https://www-docs.b-tu.de/presse/public/TU-Profil/ Nr44/A017.html [Accessed 01 December 2020].
Fig 9:
Sectra (2017) Jane Rendall [photograph] Available at: https://news. cision.com/se/sectra/i/sectra-jane-rendall,c2146467 [Accessed 01 December 2020].
This short essay and appendix include theoretical research based on a diverse range of literature reviews, have led to the production of a research aim, which will inform the basis of a special study investigation that will conclude in January 2022. The credibility of self-building will be informed by observing other European governments as they experiment with this as a solution to urban development and future living.
Ryan John Cooksey Research Principles 18th December 2020
