ARCH4822 Theory II

  IMAGE DESCRIPTION This image conveys the idea that some architects become starchitects by standing out from breaking away from what is typically seen in everyday architecture. But sometimes the goal of being unique can do more damage than good because it becomes less thoughtful and rational. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Uniqueness may create attention- good or bad- but it becomes detrimental for observing architects because it pushes this uncalled-for precedent for architecture.  SUMMARIES Delirious new york Rem Koolhaas This book touches base on Manhattan's inconsistency of character and architectural style. Rem called this phenomenon of inconsistency, “Manhattanism” - a human-made product “to live inside fantasy.” Because of Manhattan's risk to create whatever it wants to create in terms of architecture. This inspired observing architects to take the same risky approach on their work- and it was taken too far.  Manifesto Lebbeus Woods Lebbeus makes it clea...

source: http://waterlooarchitecture.com/bridge/blog/2015/10/22/thesis-informal-pattern-language/    The Real Meaning of Architecture  Christopher Alexander was successful in creating the Julian Street Inn because he implemented a design-build method. This method is about on-site decisions with many people, such as the owners and users. The value of this method is that a beautiful form can blossom if others are engaged with the input- therefore, making the project meaningful. Christopher stated that certain types of processes “can lead to certain types of forms” . We then moved to read about Christopher Alexander’s New Eishin University in Japan. He used the pattern language for the final design form. This was an 80-page document that was practically rooted in communication. He described this as a “physical, social, and cultural ‘blueprint'” for the entire project. They then moved to making and using a 1:100 physical model as guidance to insert ideas. After that, m...

After reading the first few pages of Michel Foucault’s Discipline & Punish, Panopticism, it brought to attention how architecture and past ideologies can be damaging without realizing it. The book began by describing how a plague was treated amongst people- if one was to not follow quarantine properly, it meant death for them. Whereas today we do not see that occur, we are much less heavy minded on this pandemic because others are allowed to have different points of views and act differently, because it is their “right”. Nowadays anyone will find reasons to question orders, wherein the era of this book, no freedom was permitted. It is surprising to see that although ideologies were heavily enforced on society, science was not at its highest level. For example, they used perfume to sanitize things, were compared to today, perfume is not used and disinfecting wipes are used instead- technology has improved for the better. At times, it would be ideal, even to say a Utopian world, if t...