Advisory Center for Affordable Settlements & Housing

Document Download Download
Document Type General
Publish Date 26/10/2005
Author
Published By Architecture, Basel, Switzerland
Edited By Suneela Farooqi
Uncategorized

Global: Constructing architecture materials processes structures

“Constructing Architecture” describes the architectural position of architects which makes it possible for them to forge links between the planning of a project and its realization, the competence to create coherence regarding content and subject. During the planning of a project, this is reflected in the clarification and development of a design objective, and in the physical implementation becoming increasingly more clearly defined. When, for example, a literary work is translated into another language the use of the correct grammar or syntax is merely a technical prerequisite – a conditio sine qua non. The important thing is to reflect coherently the sense and the atmosphere of the original text, which in certain circumstances may itself have a specific influence on grammar and syntax. Architecture is similar: although it is not a language consisting of sounds, words, or texts, it has a material vocabulary (modules), constructive grammar (elements), and structural syntax (structures). They are the fundamental prerequisites, a kind of “mechanics of architecture”. This also includes the technical and structural basics which establish a set of rules and regulations of construction principles and know-how that can be learned and which are wholly independent of any particular design or construction project. Although these tools are logical in themselves they remain fragmentary, unrelated and therefore “senseless” until they are incorporated into a project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *