inhabiting fragile territories
stelios psaltis
a little story for a little house
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Scool of Architecture Design Thesis Project Stelios Psaltis supervisor: Tasos Tellios June 2011
contact details: ps.stelios@gmail.com +30 6986 333072
inhabiting fragile territories
a little story for a little house
the following story does neither consist an architectural overview of a rational construction. nor a narrative-stimulus for the emergence of an architectural idea. it is certainly not a systematic analysis of a design process (despite the development in a strict sequence of pages) but rather a personal recording, and perhaps divergent, perceptions of architecture. a series of thoughts trying to find the total expression. Or not ... in my opinion, it is a sum of its more attractive elements. and what I personally mostly enjoy remembering.
The key stimulus that triggers the whole idea is to explore a dipole, which refers to two extreme aspects of sentimentalism. On one hand the strong activation of curiosity and imagination of anything “violent” and on the other hand the “gentle” attraction and “pathos” of anything tender. Though quite disparate, these two emotional states seem to cause equally “strong” emotions that touch the deepest aspects of the psychosynthesis. Nature in its entirety, as a wider site of action, is seen both as an imaginary creation and at the same as an “other” and “strange”, from which the material existence and life are depending. Following this bipolar interpretations, nature conceived in two ways, either through its peculiar, bizarre and wild development, or through its vulnerable, delicate, fragile and gentle fertility, resulting in a multi-sensory relationship with the primitive biological body. From this perspective the sublime, the mystical, the emotional, even the irrational, the experiential or the subconscious, and how these notions “filter” a natural interpretation, are sought. Within this “manufactured” personal environment, challenges on the possible ways of inhabitation within its cumbersome and even pathologically inevitable materiality are raised.
cartographic distortions-resurfacing an interlaced ground
The proposed site is a hybrid situation between both real and imaginary landscapes. The “genesis” point of such an environment is “located” where different natural territories collide. By employing scenarios of varying environmental elements merging together, an unrecognizable, yet believable landscape is created. Such a synthesis constitutes a personal interpretation of a rather atmospheric approach of similar environments. This approach is implemented more through an intuitive, mnemonic rendering, rather than through a realistic and photographic reading of the place. A “narrative” territory emerges through this subjective infiltration. Specific natural elements, that dominate the personal perception, acquire self-existent entity, autonomous “life” and properties that reflect characteristics of specific sites, that “reconstruct” the new environment. An environment that represents the projection of the tangible one onto the imaginary.
analysis of the interlaced ground
the fragile environment is “dissected” in the micro-scale of the area of intervention. Depicted are the successive layers of a complex terrain.
the more stable fragment of earthly crust
an unstable and fragile fragment of earth’s crust consisting of a delicate materiality as the main site within the interlaced biotope
the water as the main sublayer and the motive force for the constant territorial mutation
interlaced ground physical model constructed by interlaced threads
The produced natural territory is composed of eternal mutations and transformations, varying through time and space, mainly defined by the basic natural factors. It consists of undetermined organizations, that was a result of complex correlations between natural systems and phenomena, concluding in uncertain biomorphic effects. Those particular consequences can be observed on a wide range of scales, or in the border line of these, where multiple and variable organic (referring to both animals and plants), chemical and other natural “activities” take place. With respect to both the collective morphological appearance and the functional expression of individual entities, those activities follow a background dynamic balance, resulting in layers of logical actions, spontaneous desires, unfinished acts, random circumstances and finally materialistic actions-reactions, in a condition of perpetual mutation. Finally, as a result of being in a constant state of indeterminacy and morphologic uncertainty, the localization of any spatial reference point (even transient) is impossible, and by such it is expressed in an overall effect that is inaccessible, with streamlined and spiritual terms of simplicity and reassuring understanding. This continuous triggering of different scenarios and additionally their consequent alternation, having as the main effect the ubiquitous instability, a condition that reflects the most disturbing side of natural reality. This reality is elusive and incomprehensible, causing phobic reactions. Thus, the consequent outcomes are defined as heterotopic organic structures or as “other” places, despite their powerful identification with a particular territory-landscape.
“narrative” research of naturally “compatible” structures of inhabiting within the fragile natural territory.
The key issue that has to do with design methodology is the analysis of the fundamental “components”, which might compose a fragile place or environment, and bear a clearly distinctive character. As the consequent of the above is the creation of a holistic architectural product, aiming mainly to the basic architectural concept of “inhabitation”. This particular term describes a general condition where a probable action is taking place against a pre-existing setting, in order for it to be enabled and activated so as to deliver and facilitate specific human or other type of natural activities. (as Heidegger argues). The main target behind the use of specific digital tools is mostly the attempt to frame all the natural and environmental characteristics, which are mentioned above. These natural elements are suggested to inspire the generation of key architectural components that will, afterwards, lead to the composition of a new “manufactured” imaginary environment and territory. Moreover, during the process of their “appointment” to a digital environment and the following emergence of a new derivative, it is suggested that a new kind of architectural existence is created. In such an architectural line of creation, an obvious intention is the development of a direct connection between architecture and the immediate neighboring microenvironment, in accordance with the investigation of a possible interaction and interface among them. Furthermore, by extending the line of previous thoughts, as far as the whole approach is concerned, it is enriched with an additional notion, that of metabolism. This term is referring to some specific transformations, which were initially applied on the existing site, so that a hospitable territory is created for the new architectural organism. As a result, as the architectural product emerged and is being produced by the elements of the landscape, at the same time it is actively reproducing that very landscape and to a certain extend is giving physical “birth” to it. This all happens within the frame of an interactive and non-linear relationship.
the reference of this way of thinking is rather the work of Caspar David Friedrich, who captures a delicate natural harmony through the “construction� of incredible landscape geometries.
scenario development process
Analysis of the main elements of a specific place: natural elements, natural processes, memories, human implications, etc.
“Infiltration”, processing and digitalization of them not only to a conceptual level, but also to a morphological and design level Reproduction, emergence and revival: creation of a holistic architectural product that encloses the totality of the “new” natural and artificial environment-possible inhabitable space.
An architectural construction constitutes an organism, which performs a specific number of basic functions. An organic composition, a kind of an artificial parasite, sensitive to the dynamic changes of the surrounding territory, humbly adapted and “floating” with tenacity within a fragment of the earthly crust, mobilizing architectural elements to succeed to “survive”. As the moral architectural issues are surpassed by default, the architectural construction is treated as the main survival apparatus, “demoted” in its absolutely natural utilitarian role (that of survival instinct), complied with the brutality of the surrounding territory’s survival instinct. Thus, the value of such an architectural “creature” lies in its ability to assimilate the dynamic mutations and processes of the surrounding territory, creating a new context of a heterotopian symbiosis (co-existence) and aiming to the mutual improvement within the territory in which it exists.
digital metabolism of analog formations
In The Book of Skin, Connor suggests that the act of “kneading” implies an invigorating process by which the vitality of the body of “user” penetrates the object which is kneaded by injecting, somehow, life!
morphoplastic experiments during the process of form finding on clay
The overall idea of “metabolism” penetrates the logic of the form-finding procedures. In the initial stage a series of physical models were produced in a pliable material (clay) in a process of searching various plastic formations, that later through the use of digital technology and advanced design tools will be analyzed and realized as a specific architectural form. The concept of physicality pervades the specific process, this time through the act of handcraft, as a method of creative and investigating force, in the micro scale of fingers. Within this framework, both the “handling” of the matter and the physical (or even chemical) attributes of the specific material, are the major factors that determine the final form, and consequent architecture. A kind of architecture that reveals its primitive substance in all the stages of its development and “growth”. That of the human labor. While this idea consists the main obsession in the overall process, the following associations, such as functional, cultural, symbolic, or even spiritual architectural values, are applied to the project in the degree that they have already been mastered through the user’s subconscious. These values are expressed (to the possible extend) under the spectrum of a so-called “fingers-muscles intelligence”.
The charm of the architectural “objectbody” lies in the morphological description of it, with characterizations associated, through the psychosynthesis, with living beings. intricate, “sweetie” pearshaped volume.
matter transformations
In the second stage, digital “intelligence” is applied to the previously produced material formation in an attempt to enable it to mutate into an architectonic shell. At this point it is worth mentioning that the concept of the specific matter’s transformation (from the a-tectonic concrete clay formation to the wooden architectonic shell) lies in corresponding theories of material transformation, such as what German architect Gottfried Semper called “Stoffwechsel”; a term that could be elaborate as “matterchanging”. Consequently, in the specific transformation of matter, the indisputable geometric accuracy, the constructional perfection and the architectural functionality, are all “inculcated” in the digitized volume.
manual study of constructional logic on plaster cast
geometric analysisdigital fabrication logic A specific grasshopper definition generates the geometry of every structural component. The sections of the profiles are optimized according to the optimal assembly of individual parts
8
3
1
10
5
12
7
14
9
16
11
18
13
15
22 24
19
26
21 23
28
25
30
27
32
29
34
31
36
33
38
35
40
37
42
39
44
41
46
43
48
45
50
47 49
52 54
51 53
56 55
58 57
60 59
17
20
6
4
2
analysis deployment of double curved surfaces
axonometric diagram depicting the constructional logic
The final architectural shell “dissected” and explored as a new field of action. Through its architectonic analysis, it is reassessed as a new territory, this time consolidated and fixed, yet with an internal and even “visceral” demanding for function, illustrating a philosophical approach, similar to that of Antonin Artaud and Gilles Deleuze: “body without organs”.
designing in the furniture micro-scale A new organ (as a form of compact furniture) is incorporated into the main architectural body, following a more organic connection with it. Nonetheless, a clear morphological identity is depicting its self-existent hypostasis, emerged from its capacity to cause autonomous situations. The morphological evolution of both units and the spatial correlation between them is, at this stage, the outcome of the human intelligence and reasonable design manipulations
The individual functional needs are fulfilled by elementary entities incorporated into a total organic volume. In this way the overall design develops a fluid transition between every individual functional area in the search for residential microenvironments.
kitchen
bed
washbasin
bath
lavatory
0.00
+0.80
+1.50
R 2, 550
+2.00
Ergonomic data: total area: 42 m2 net area: 22 m2 entry space area: 7 m2 maximum height: 3.4 m minimum height: 2.5 m
3.75
The plan consists of a simple and perfectly clear positioning of basic functions in the frame of a single-cell housing, into the given cavity of the initial organic volume. The presence of internal organ-integrated furniture creates secondary cavities, which determine the individual functional areas.
A7
2.50 7.00
0,15
R
00 0,3
0,14
0.55
0,02 0,39
0.50
0,02
0.38
±0,000
0,80
00 R 0.4
4,09
0,02
0 1.7
0 1.3
R
2.7 0
R 2,113
R 1.0 0
R
63 0,3
R
2.0 0
4°
0,08
0,42
1.200
0,08
3°
0.90 0.80
R0 ,40 0 0,08 0,34
1.00
2m 1.70 0.65
0,08
10°
1.00
0 R 1.6
R
5 1.2
±0,000
0 0.4
0,60
0.750
+0.15
0.15
0,85
A7
1m
N 00 R 1.
virtual models of adjustment in environmental changes The distinctive morphology depicts a kind of transformable architectural organism that assimilates the environmental changes through the rotating seasons. In the summer it expresses the “relinquishment� of the biological species, appearing to be just left within the idyllic intensity of a saturated landscape. In the winter it seems like a solid piece of ice, as if slipping on the delicate crust of the frozen land.
territorial mutation An alternative relationship between architecture and the surrounding immediate territory is thus promoted, placing emphasis on the simultaneous production of both of them. Such a bilateral relationship suggests, at the same time, certain strategies for architecture’s correlation to physical matter, setting as a target the direct domestication of nature, and the “gentle� incorporation of its dynamic mutation, to the maximum possible extend.
the constant natural labor frames depicting the gradual growth of the surrounding natural territory since the very moment of the architectural organism’s appearance
63 0,3
N
3째
0.750 0,08
4째
0,42
0,08 0,34
2m 0,08
0.90
0,08
1m 1.70
1.200
10째
0
R
R0 ,40 0
R 2,113
A7
spatial osmosis
Many practical and objective needs are being surpassed by default, while personal concerns, obsessions and passions are those that lead to creative architectural actions constantly further. As a result, what is suggested is a “pseudo” self-repressing inclination, wishing to deny the “sight purification”, implying a fragile condition for architecture, a further tendency of avoiding a certain “visual hygiene”, flirting with sensationalism, with the “black” and the “undetermined”, the physicality, the dark and the dirt. It narrates a kind of architecture, according to which the overall aesthetic spatial experience focuses on its relationship with desires, impulses and intense psychological states, implying in its essence more mazy, nocturnal, earthy, “maternal”, warm and enclosed structures, usually under the form of a primitive inhabitation.
Architecture consists a hybrid in constant development and adaptation against the life cycle of natural elements that dominate and recreate the natural territory. Following a process of merging both biology and technology, the existing architectural construction decomposed progressively and recycled through its mutation to a more diverse and differential constructional system, that follows a natural pattern of development. Thus, the architectural shell mutated itself, and transformed from a strong and strict separation element to a continuous, smooth, elastic, semi-transparent membrane attached to the previous scaffolding. As the dynamic balance of the system lies in a matter wrestling, where the primitive instinct of survival (architectural survival) is the main spatial narrative, architecture is then the result of an organic ‘fight’, where estranged elements co-exist and are mutually affected. Every natural action demands a human reaction and vice versa. Within a local micro-scale, the notion of physicality is signified by the human labour, acting as the motive force for spatial revendication and architectural production “against” the persistent and eternal natural “labor”. The consequent interaction with the user’s body becomes the central experiential, implying, unconsciously, a kind of measuring and architectural scale. The overall process demands the continuous man labor that operates as an internal organic force that heals parts of the architectural body in an attempt to secure its proper function and thus continuing its life.
final installation
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Architecture 24-06-2011 . 20:30
the installation map
the overall presentation
clay studies
model scale: 1:20
physical model of the “interlaced ground” constructed by threads
physical model of the “organic fight” model scale: 1:20
physical model of the “organic fight” model scale: 1:20