I'm looking into doing some research on the theme of control and architecture/planning.. possibly as a tangible force/object, or something more psychological/metaphysical..
(ie greater control = greater predictability of behavior/less flexibility)
or maybe this premise is wrong in that controlled space starts from the idea for flexibility and rapid transformation (Sze Tsung Leong)
I did a search on some past threads--i think the topic is related with ideas of fear, touching on some anti-capitalism, anarchist themes.
But any other essays/books and thoughts would be greatly appreciated..
Check Colominas book on Loos and Corb - good examples of how the Raumplan has in some of Loos' designs control at its core.
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The ideas connect in a pretty straightforward way to the Panopticon.
Then there's Foucault with prison, clinic- architecture and territorial control.
"The best thing I ever heard someone say when I was at graduate school was "Great things happen in terrible buildings and terrible things happen in great buildings". If you think as an architect that you can pre-determine experience, you are hoping for something that's just not going to happen. The idea that a designer is creating their perfect vision which no one is supposed to touch. I'm completely shocked by that. How weirdly perverse for an architect to even want that - I can imagine wanting to retain the intellectual property of the first iteration and I would love for a client to want to come talk to me about changing it. But the idea of imposing no changes without my approval I find really bizarre. Yet that is the status quo right now."
I differ with him slightly and believe that yes, to some extent one can control user experience. He's right though. It is very cliche right now.
Oct 30, 09 6:23 pm ·
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Architecture and Controlled Space
I'm looking into doing some research on the theme of control and architecture/planning.. possibly as a tangible force/object, or something more psychological/metaphysical..
(ie greater control = greater predictability of behavior/less flexibility)
or maybe this premise is wrong in that controlled space starts from the idea for flexibility and rapid transformation (Sze Tsung Leong)
I did a search on some past threads--i think the topic is related with ideas of fear, touching on some anti-capitalism, anarchist themes.
But any other essays/books and thoughts would be greatly appreciated..
maybe archigram regarding accidents and chance occurances
and oma cctv building. they are both about less control though i guess
Check out Dan Lockton's excellent blog, Design With Intent, though it does cover more than architecture.
Psychological - control in architecture:
Check Colominas book on Loos and Corb - good examples of how the Raumplan has in some of Loos' designs control at its core.
-
The ideas connect in a pretty straightforward way to the Panopticon.
Then there's Foucault with prison, clinic- architecture and territorial control.
-
Control in design:
Chance operations, Cage, ...
I like this quote from Joshua Prince-Ramus:
"The best thing I ever heard someone say when I was at graduate school was "Great things happen in terrible buildings and terrible things happen in great buildings". If you think as an architect that you can pre-determine experience, you are hoping for something that's just not going to happen. The idea that a designer is creating their perfect vision which no one is supposed to touch. I'm completely shocked by that. How weirdly perverse for an architect to even want that - I can imagine wanting to retain the intellectual property of the first iteration and I would love for a client to want to come talk to me about changing it. But the idea of imposing no changes without my approval I find really bizarre. Yet that is the status quo right now."
I differ with him slightly and believe that yes, to some extent one can control user experience. He's right though. It is very cliche right now.
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