agarza2501: September 2010

Stan Allen describes field conditions as “bottom-up phenomena: defined not by overarching geometrical schemas but by intricate local connections.” What are some field condition examples that can be found in the road systems of Lubbock?

Roads can subdivide the landscape and provide a unit or measurement of some kind. Stop signs could be used to show where areas intersect, where people converge at. Another condition could be the tapering of the edges of the road, sloping them slightly to keep water off.

In part 1, Allen distinguishes a geometric relationship of classical architecture from an algebraic combination of the Cordoba Mosque. How do these two architectural examples differ?

Classical architecture was seen to have a hierarchy, the Cordoba Mosque was seen to have one set condition and as it grew it was more mathematical and precise. Replication was used over and over again in the mosque, reproducing of the arch. The arch replication could be used a field condition since each arch is so big and precise. Geometric architecture is more precise where as algebraic architecture are measured using a variable.

What are some other examples of field conditions that can be observed around campus?

Paving of what is roads to what is a concrete side walk. Paths from one area to the next and how the connect to one another. Seats in a stadium could be one field condition as well as the method people move to sit down in the seat. Parking lots can also be one.

How does a field condition stand to redefine the relation between figure and ground?

It demonstrates the use of space taken up by objects against what is still open space left on the ground. For example showing where space not occupied by buildings are located against where they currently exist.

Benedikt describes degrees of reality in architecture as: Architecture of Dreams, Architecture of Games, Architecture of Illusions, Architecture of Enactments and Architecture of Jokes. What are some example buildings that fall under these categories?

Architecture of dreams is anything that is purely conceptual, a building that can only be made under perfect unrealistic conditions. Architecture of games be The Glass House as house that is assembled or designed under a condition or set of rules. Architecture of Illusions could be considered the Eiffel Tower, the tower does have arches at its base that are not supportive to the structure at all and only serve as a aesthetic purpose. Architecture of re-enactments could be the Lincoln Memorial because it uses Greek-era designs to create the buildings, where as a example of pre-enactment could be the Lloyd's Insurance Building in London because it uses a hi-tech style or architecture, as well as using materials in new ways. Architecture of Jokes could be The Crooked House since it is constructed to look as it it was a building that was falling apart or leaning over.

What is the reality Michael Benedikt writes about?

The actual physical world and what makes it up as opposed to any ideas we associate with the world or any of it. To have something exist without association.

Benedikt describes “direct esthetic experience of the real” as being moments without symbolism. Where in our environment does symbolism occur and where in our environment is symbolism absent? What is an example of this situation?

Symbolism can occur when a object reminds us of something, or we associate a object with a meaning. For example a flag we can associate with whatever nation or with patriotism. A opposite of this could be any building that severs multiple purposes or we don’t have a precognitive interpretation for what it is or how it functions. A parking lot can be a non-symbolic space.

Although Benedikt’s position pulls examples from the 70‘s and 80‘s to illustrate that an architecture of reality is polar to the post-modern architecture movement, this condition continues to exist today. Where in the city would be examples of an architecture of reality and post-modern architecture?

Parking lots, roof tops, and even highway systems could be reality based architecture as they are both modern in design and at the same time they are different. They both have not association to any pre-existing design.

The four components that define the “realness” of an architecture for reality are: presence, significance, materiality, and emptiness (in two categories). How do these components relate to architecture? and What are some examples of architectural elements that make up these conditions?

Presence can be attributed to how a building can make you feel, it should be unapologetic and give you a feeling that it is there. Significance is the importance of a building to someone or to a group of people, why is it still around. Materiality is the use of the material and having them being used in a authentic manner, more over its how you use the material not what you use it for. Emptiness is the space that while a void is instead used as something that draws you in and helps you feel that something is still there or to guide you along to a destination.