Theories Unit: Point

We began the Theories Unit, as well as the class, posing the question, what distinguishes a building from a piece of architecture (Lucas)? Many answers were given but the one that most explains my own personal thoughts was that architecture helps us form a dialogue with the past and the future.


In the theories unit, we explored some very old sites, such as Stonehenge. Now although the exact purpose for this place has not yet been determined, there are many speculations. But just because we are not sure of its purpose does not mean that we cannot learn many things from it all the same. Things such as what life might have been like for these people, what materials were used, and at what lengths they went to in order to obtain these materials. This is what the Theories unit was all about, the ability to observe architecture from the past and present and draw conclusions from the dialogue that has been created. The definition of a theory, according to the lecture, is an idea (Lucas). We create ideas or theories about the people and places from which certain pieces of architecture come from. By utilizing different methods of observing architecture, even from the distant past, one can learn what an ancient peoples aspirations may have been, the social organization, their view on the world, their way of life, their social needs, their economic resources, and their attitudes towards nature just by viewing architecture that they have constructed (Lucas). In the terms of Stonehenge, since I mentioned it previously, one can deduce that this site was created for special purposes. It was not a place of residence or a place that anyone remained for long periods of time. This we know because archaeologists have found no human waste whatsoever at the site. From this we can also learn that these ancient people were far more advanced than most give them credit for, able to find a way to move many gigantic, heavy stones from a distant separate location to the construction site. Even as early as these ancient times, vast design movements were being made. Aedicule-like, simply four columns and roof, were slowly taking shape across Europe and the rest of the world, laying the foundations for architecture as we know it to be today.


There are many different ways to view and explain architecture, another theme from the Theories unit. Three of the main ways to view and explain architecture are commodity, firmness, and delight. Commodity focuses on the function of an object or piece of architecture. What purpose does this piece or object serve and does it serve that purpose well? Firmness refers to the craftsmanship or solidity with which a piece of architecture or object is made. Does the construction of this piece benefit the purpose as best as it possibly can? Finally, delight refers to the overall appeal of the object or piece of architecture. Is this object or piece pleasing to look at or experience? These three characteristics can exist in separate amounts but all three must be present (Lucas). There are many other “Power of Threes” used to explore objects and architecture. They include, description-deduction-speculation, which explains how an artifact corresponds to patterns in the mind of the producer and user. There is also, semiotics, ideologies, and signs, which help explain the relations and meanings of things to ones subconscious.


In terms of the applicability of the material covered to my own studio, I believe it is best summed up by a quote given in lecture, “Design…deserves attention not only as a professional practice but as a subject of social, cultural, and philosophic investigation” (Lucas). Not only must you look at the task at hand but also you must explore what this task does or could mean to the people who experience it. Design is for the wellbeing of the world and those who exist in it and should be explored from every angle.

http://store.glennz.com/evolution.html

 I chose this image to represent the Theories unit because it was about beginnings. It was about starting from the ancient and most basic of objects and architecture and building on that through observation and exploration. Building on and evolving those initial ideas and theories, just as the Lego man is evolving and building upon himself in the picture is what the unit is all about.

Lucas, Patrick. "IAR 222." Architecture: The Unavoidable Art. Greensboro, NC. 23 Aug 2010. Lecture.