Summer Readings - Arlen

The Architecture of the Well-tempered Environment – Reyner Banham

Chapter 1 – Unwarranted apology: I only read a few chapters of this book, but the highlights that interested me were the chronicled moments of history where human responsibility transformed due to technology and its effect on architecture. For example; the chimney, which is described as the body of the home was one of the most important elements of a house in the 1700’s due to its heating capabilities. Even though this was extremely necessary during crude winters, the design of a house did not usually reflect on the mechanics or operations of this system. The chimney’s design reflected the “grand room” tailoring towards impressing people with large spaces with extremely well crafted trim work.

It surprises me that the mentality of our society (and profession) hasn’t really changed much. We still tend to ignore the back of the house spaces. For example; in design presentations, the mechanical equipment space is often ignored. Most clients are not interested in this and “leave it up to the professionals”. The mechanical space is often shoved into a small corner. As architects we have an opportunity to exemplify the MEP systems and highlight their natural beauty.

I am intrigued by projects that question the aesthetics and function of MEP. This summer I was able to visit the Pompidou Centre in Paris, which is a project that exemplifies and glorifies the MEP work as the exterior skin. This was my second time visiting the museum, and I was much more impressed the second time having worked with this type of equipment in the office.

In Praise of Shadows – Junichiro Tanizaki

This essay, although short was very enjoyable to read. The focus on identifying architecture, drama, food, and many other aspects of Japanese culture was very descriptive and allowed my imagination to visualize the reading. His comparison of westernized culture to eastern culture inspires me to travel to Japan to see and fully understand it.

I feel that Japanese architecture considers space on a completely different level when compared to westernized architecture. Space is much more valuable in Japan, and therefore must be more flexible.

“Smaller rooms are more are the fashion now, and even if one were to use candles in them, one would not get the color of darkness; but in an old palace and an old house where the ceilings were high the darkness is pressed in like fog.” People have forgotten what the darkness feels like; this was the darkness where ghosts and monsters lived. Smaller rooms reflect on the light, the darkness is non-existent.

The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture of the Senses – Juhani Pallasmaa

Junhani Pallasmaa is one of my favorite writers of architectural theory. In Part 2, Silence, Time and Solitude, Juhani describes the auditory experience and its connection to memory, form, light and space. People remember spaces more with sounds than the actual visual response. Sound triggers parts of our brain that can sooth our soul (music). Yes, John, you should read this stuff.

“Architecture connects us with the dead; through buildings we are able to imagine the bustle of the mediaeval street, and picture a solemn procession approaching a cathedral. The time of architecture is detained time; in the greatest of buildings time stands firmly still. Time and space are eternally locked into each other in the silent spaces between these immense columns; matter, space and time fuse into one singular elemental experience, the sense of being.”

This makes me believe that design is static, it is this ever evolving process that will never end (our degree projects will always be static)!