Architecture And Narrative: The Formation Of Space And Cultural Meaning
This weeks reading was focused on Mies Van Der Rohe, with a lot of focus on the Barcelona Pavilion.
The biggest reflection which I have taken from the reading, interestingly, is the use of refection. The reading talks about how Mies used competing strategies and successfully made them work.
This is what I enjoyed the most about the reading. It made me appreciate the brilliance of how careful Mies Van Der Rohe was with his designs. Being able to use opposite strategies in the same building and convey a complete message through the design is genius.
I believe that this is rarely possible by pure chance. It takes a deep understanding of what one is trying to achieve, and of the methods being used to achieve that outcome, in order to create the design.
There is another very important point that I have taken from the reading this week, and that is the impact that correct material decisions has. When the reading talked about using competing strategies, the success was greatly down to the materials used.
Selecting the right materials is a fundamentally important decision. Using the right materials with the right properties can completely change how a space feels. Such properties could be the reflectivity, the colour, how shiny or dull it is, how cold it is to the touch and more.
This has made me think. I often create 3D computer renders for my designs. When I do this I often craft the materials from scratch, choosing the texture, the reflections, how the light reacts with it, etc. Why not apply this kind of attention to detail from the start in my actual designs? Mies Van Der Rohe was specific with the materials he chose. I aim to do the same.
The biggest reflection which I have taken from the reading, interestingly, is the use of refection. The reading talks about how Mies used competing strategies and successfully made them work.
This is what I enjoyed the most about the reading. It made me appreciate the brilliance of how careful Mies Van Der Rohe was with his designs. Being able to use opposite strategies in the same building and convey a complete message through the design is genius.
I believe that this is rarely possible by pure chance. It takes a deep understanding of what one is trying to achieve, and of the methods being used to achieve that outcome, in order to create the design.
There is another very important point that I have taken from the reading this week, and that is the impact that correct material decisions has. When the reading talked about using competing strategies, the success was greatly down to the materials used.
Selecting the right materials is a fundamentally important decision. Using the right materials with the right properties can completely change how a space feels. Such properties could be the reflectivity, the colour, how shiny or dull it is, how cold it is to the touch and more.
This has made me think. I often create 3D computer renders for my designs. When I do this I often craft the materials from scratch, choosing the texture, the reflections, how the light reacts with it, etc. Why not apply this kind of attention to detail from the start in my actual designs? Mies Van Der Rohe was specific with the materials he chose. I aim to do the same.
Psarra, S. (2009). Architecture And Narrative: The Formation Of Space And Cultural Meaning. Routledge.