THEDES2: CON-TECH-NIC

Technological

Architecture and Technology comes in the same page in the dictionary nowadays. It envisions a structure of the future as a place for new spatial experiences, new systems of sustainability and new sensory enhancements. This open-ended exahibition and multi-faceted research initiative, incorporating a never ending architecture studies in research studios, as well as a series of public programs, encourages creative individuals to make a substantial contribution to the dialogue on how we will live in the future.

A technological result/concept/design of architecture for me explore the interrelation between three subjects. It illustrates the impact of modern technology and materials on architecture. It also explores the technical progress of building showing how developments, both past and present, are influenced by design methods. It provides a survey of contemporary architecture, as affected by construction technology. It explores aspects of building technology within the context of general industrial, social and economic developments. And being an architecture student, our goal is to acquire a vocabulary covering the entire range of structure types and learn a new approach to understanding the development of design.


Renault Distribution Centre, Swindon, England By Norman Foster

Iconic

It is an interesting yet intriguing topic by the notion that Iconic results/concepts/designs of architecture has to be realized in the built form before it can become Iconic. The thing is I wonder how architecture gains the word “iconic” on it. The future plans of star architects of the past and the presents works perhaps should have Iconic status too, though there is another discussion to be had as to whether it has been built or not. A glance of a past concepts Archigram, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rem Koolhaus and Zaha Hadid achieving Celebrity Architect status long before they had a portfolio of completed works to promote their all produced but yet never been built iconic architecture. It may be so formal or pedant to suggest that once these ideas/concepts/designs have been erected they become more 'Iconic Buildings' than architecture. After all, in the real world, when you ask a practicing architects all his life the question "Do you do buildings?" they would simply answer "Yes.” Surely architecture and therefore Iconic Architecture is much more than that.

It is a recent trend towards “iconic” results of architecture, which has gained a big talk in the media, among high-profile clients and winning numerous architectural prizes, for me minimizes the role and importance of people’s input and lessens the goals of creating great public places. Instead it promotes a design centric philosophy where all that matters is the artistic statement conceived by an internationally recognized celebrity. Another opinion, Frank Gehry, an architect of considerable talent and imagination, drew world attention to the iconic design movement with his famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. In the process, he started an era in which designers call all the shots in creating the society’s cityscapes, leaving the people with showy buildings that are meant to be admired from a distance rather than contributing to the vitality of everyday life in a local community. But then the trend is the trend, as if like change is constant. We just got to deal with the icons.


Swiss Re Office Building, London, England By Norman Foster

Contextual

It is my first time on realizing or being familiar with the concept/design of contextual architecture. Of course, we know that architects observe the surroundings in which their buildings will eventually exist, before working on their drawings. Every location of site has something that surrounds it, and makes it unique. Even if it’s on the middle of a desert or a place where rain water is a regular visitor. Just one thing, architects should recognize the context, and designing structures that somehow respond to its surroundings. Some might argue that this requirement needs not be met every time, that certain designs transcend their surroundings and in turn, create their own context. And while buildings can be replicated in different locations, with varying degrees of success, it does not mean that context can be ignored indefinitely. The good thing is, if we cannot uphold the importance of context, however small role might play in the final design. In certain instances, then we cannot reasonably expect that all architecture strive for contextual coexistence.

Architects should understand deeply the significance a context should play in architecture. It’s a matter of designing structures that either give consideration to their surroundings, or disregard them. With those two options is a wide spectrum of varying success and failure.



Great Court, British Museum, London, England By Norman Foster