STUDIO AIR JOURNAL
ABOUT ME I am Siyu Li, and this is my third year in university, but only the start second year of studying architecture. Before I take this course, architecture for me is just part of the art discipline. However, as Richard William said in his article, that architecture is more than art and it is complex. Especially, when digital design tools have been involved into architecture industry since 1970th, the definition or explanation of architecture gets much more complex.
DIGITAL TOOL EXPERIENCE My experience of using digital design tool is few. I took a subject named Visual Communication last year has introduced Rhino to us. I had made some 3D cubes and some curves with the software, but I never went deep with it. From that experience, the digital design tool is only a tool that provides digital model and clearer drawings (refer to the experience with AutoCAD). The first attempt with Grasshopper changes my thought about digital design tools a little. The algorithm conception within Grasshopper program is both simple and complex. It is like a simple system which has input and output, but the presses that occur between two ends are complex. I wish I could learn more about Grasshopper, therefore have more sense about algorithm
ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE The topic we are dealing with this week is “architecture as a discourse�.
Architecture
is never simply one thing, but crosses many different fields to become to something. Back to the ancient time, architecture is just a thing with 4 basic elements: hearth, roof, enclosure and roof. As our civilization developed, architecture starts to relate to many other aspects. During the Roman civilization, architecture starts to showing power of the emperor, for example the Triumphal Arch. If we look close to today, architecture is significantly related to our urban development, for example the urban sprawl issue in Melbourne. Architecture is not just about the building or design concept, but it actually impacts the surrounding environment and the society. As Richard Williams suggests in his article that architecture is something in which all can participate.
GALAXY SOHO Zaha Hadid Architects
Zaha Hadid’s project Galaxy Soho in Beijing, China is an example of parametric design and it is also a project that explains architecture as discourse. It brought the idea of Chinese Courtyard, and develops an inside world that could be differentiate with the outside world. It takes the traditional Chinese architecture culture of being private, which is related to the local culture. The layers of the structure also refer to Chinese traditional terrace. Although, it is located in a urban context, it still brings some of the rural aspects of this particular country. And as it is a massive structure, it will impact the overview of the city.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH INSTITUTE LYONS
Marine and Freshwater Research Institute is a good example of how building response to the natural environment and even become to part of it. The landscape of the site forms the roof of the building, and as a sustainable architecture, the special roof also acts as a thermal mass. In this case, architecture is not simple a building, but a form that embodies with a concept (sustainability). The building does not form by architect’s design concept, but it characterised by its function and responsibility.