Structural Reenchantment
Instructor
Wang Shuaizhong
A good “graduate” portfolio should not only express its own design ability, but also convey your perspective on the world and your own “attitude” towards the world. Back in the design work is your “research” of architecture.
In the numerous theoretical systems of architecture, this topic selects the most constructive idea of the current construction of the global hotspot as the theoretical basis, and introduces the design idea of “construction” as the starting point and even the critical point of view. Enlightenment and deepening of the architectural theory of students of different degrees.
The project will use a number of practical cases to discuss the “construction”, which goes beyond the current market, and returns to the design of the purest architectural ontology language, from which to explore a “hard core of beauty”. I hope that it will inspire you to add a discussion dimension to your thinking and design, and increase the thickness and strength of your work.
“… When the content of vitality and meaning is neutral, the image and design of the structure becomes clearer. It is a bit like the destruction of nature or man-made disasters, the construction of the city is abandoned and only the skeleton remains. People will not easily forget this city that is no longer inhabited, because the meaning and culture that linger in it save her from returning to nature…” – Jacques Derrida
“… designing and building is one thing. Any form of construction carries a message and intention through its materials and components… ”-Andrea Deplazes
The boundaries of the concept of “architecture” are becoming increasingly blurred, and the combination of various interdisciplinary and architectural aspects has made the extension of the building dazzling. However, no matter how it changes, architecture cannot remove its essential thinking about structure. History has proved that machine-like “objects” are not able to satisfy all the needs of people, so “technology” and “art” are the constant topics in the discussion of architecture.
This topic will be based on this, with the thinking of “construction” and its development as the theoretical foundation, first let everyone understand the meaning of “construction” and its advantages and disadvantages. Then combined with the evolution of architectural theory in different time periods in Europe and Asia, different architects in Europe (Switzerland) and Asia (Japan-based) are clues to the relevant thinking and practice of construction, and comprehensively understand how to design “construction” as a design. The logical process and the pros and cons it can bring. In addition, the second half of the course will combine the “construction” with the current “second digital transformation” historical situation, and tell the possibility of “digital construction” brought about by “new structuralism” in the new era. (This section can also serve as a theoretical basis for “parameterized” design work, rather than a purely morphological discussion.)
After obtaining a certain theoretical basis, the second half of the course will use a specific design exercise as a new starting point for the whole theory practice and potential design of concentrated works. Through the interest and understanding of construction, I choose to discuss the topic, try to design a very rational building with a perceptual attitude, and practice a “poetic” with a very detailed way, combining structure, material, scale, perception and speculation. Construction.”
LESSON 1 | Construction & Structure
From the “structure, construction” of EDUARD F.SEKLER, the definition of construction in Kenneth Framp’s “Construction Culture Research Theory on the Construction Poetics in 19th and 20th Century Architecture” As a background introduction of “construction”, the theory and the real solution case are used to introduce the birth and embodiment of this thinking in architecture, and introduce the current practice and construction of Europe in the development and predicament after the introduction of China. By comparing the design with other sociology or anthropology as a starting point for thinking, we will lead you to re-examine and evaluate architectural design from a new perspective.
LESSON 2 | Construction & Culture
“Poetic construction” is an ambiguous definition. The birth of “poetic character” is largely due to a collective memory of people’s sense of architecture, identity and even heterogeneity. As an inseparable part of architecture from the perspective of minimalism, the structure can carry, and how many cultural and regional abstractions are the main ways to “poetic”. The too novel or outstanding structural performance will make people lose the daily and universal interpretation of the structure. As the novelty increases, people’s identity will be reduced to some extent. How to create and balance this problem? This lesson will take Japanese architects as an example to analyze the cultural intentions hidden behind the mechanical expression of the structure and the reasons for this intention through their works, inspiring the performance potential of everyone.
LESSON 3 | Anti-construction & Sub-construction
“Strength” is a concern that has been discussed by many people in the construction. Especially when the concept of construction was introduced to China, many architects have interpreted and practiced different ways. The “force shape” is intended to express the mechanical logic and structural truth of the structure itself, and is a very material understanding. However, the uncertainty of “poetic character” seems to contradict the “authenticity” pursued by the traditional construction. Looking at the practice of many “constructionist” architects, it can be said that they have separated the logic of the structure itself from the logic of visual interpretation. The so-called poeticity is just a visual creation created by architects. “reasonable illusion.” So is this the logic that has been transformed into an “anti-construction”? Has the perceived structural system become a “substructure”?
LESSON 4 | “Field” Space Construction under Structuralism
The advent of digital informatization has led us to re-examine the definition of “construction.” The development of parametric and rapid construction, especially the birth of 3D printing, makes constructive thinking more difficult to define. If traditional architecture is regarded as a special case under the digital architecture system, then the state discussed in the traditional construction is the relationship between the structural components. The potential of the construction discussed above stems from the perception of this relationship rather than the component itself. The repetitive potential of digitization has led us to re-examine another re-emergence of structuralism in 1970. This lesson will be based on the theoretical background of structuralism and discuss the potential and direction of the construction under the new structuralism.
