U5- The experience of architecture : basic concepts

  • place
    • relation of contrast: emerge and differentiate from the surroundings, can be achieved in that specific place or somewhere else
      • architecture dominates the landscape
    • relation of camouflage: the buildings want to acquire or disappear in the landscape around them, it can be a strategic decision.
      • the relationship with the place is of extreme integration, of mimesis
    • organic relation: similar to camouflage, it acknowledges the place which is built
      • is a nod to the place, and integration is done by reinterpreting its elements. There is shown sensitivity towards the place
    • contextual relation: intellectual, reinterpretation between the idea of 'taking back nature in the city'
      • has to do with the meaning expressed by the building. the relationship with the place is justifiable
  • space
    • classic space
      • generic term ( from the roman and greek period to 19th Century)
      • one central area, the center of meaning of the whole building
      • closed and compact
    • uniform space
      • strucutred
      • jerarquical space
      • modernity broke that rules
      • Raumplan: different levels and highs- gives the space a feeling of difference between the places, when you walk through the apartmenet experiencing a different environment
      • the wrightian fluid: still has one remeinsence creature of the classical space, the idea o a cnetral element of the space
      • the universal Miesian space: all the space can be used, more equal, there isn't one element centered, it's not herarquical
      • Double height spaces of le Corbusier: give different sensations, tow stories inside a house
    • contemporary space
      • unique and continuous
      • degree of freedom: free section
  • function
    • mechanical functionalism
      • roots in the industrial revolution
      • all the problems can be solved with architecture
      • relationship with the need, function and the shape
      • beauty comes naturally
    • organic functionalism
      • seeing function as materialising depends of the landscape and the place
      • the environment interacts with architeccture, adapts
      • harmony with human activities
      • relates to the place as if it was born there
    • moralistic functionalism
      • beauty and functionality are synonyms
  • form
    • rhythm
      • sequence of shapes in space
    • axiality
      • linear elements that marks a direction and distributes the space or elements around it
    • simmetry
      • regular arrangement of parts or points of a body or figure in relation to a center, axle or plan
    • hierarchy
      • relationship of supremacy of an element over others based on an established approach
    • grid
      • a unitary element which serves as a proportional unit and which is repeted on the same scale or at different scales
      • composition based on a grid of axes serving as a guide
    • movement
      • The irregularity of the forms and the variants of the order inspire the idea of movement
    • unit
      • The relationship of the parts to the whole so that nothing should be removed or added
    • centrality
      • main spot of the building
      • organisation of space around a center that creates attraction towards it
    • balancing
      • complemetary relationship between the elements of a composition. If the elements are equal and symmetrical we speak about static equilibrium, if they are composed by geometric difference, color,... we speak about dynamic equilibrium
    • limit
      • is the edge of the elements of the composition where there is a change from the rest
    • light
      • light of the outside intersects with the building
      • light is keyArchitecture is the learned game; correct and magnificient of forms assembled in the light. Our eyes are made to see the forms under the light : the shadows and the clearing revealing forms" - Le Corbusier
    • contrast
      • Opposition or remarkable difference between elements to produce a dynamic effect on the composition
      • poweful tool
      • controversial
      • material shape, size
    • color
      • Chromatic manifestation of the elemenets to be used
      • coulored photos
      • new
      • used with causition
    • texture
      • surface finishing of the elements invoved in the final perception of architecture
    • proportion
      • Harmonic relation of dimensions according to certain mathematical or geometric rules
    • scale
      • Relation between the size of the building and the size of the human being
  • Materiality and structure
    • materials
      • from nature: drystone
      • transformation of natural materials
      • new materials
    • Technology in construction
      • arch and the vault