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Ideology &
symbolism in Architecture IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE • Ideology is in the political and cultural sense a relatively connected and determined set of ideas • symbolic representations, • values, • beliefs • forms of thoughts • behaviours, • expressions • representations IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE
• ideology is a set of positive and pragmatic beliefs, values, forms of
behaviours, and actings shared by a group of theoreticians or practicians IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE
• ideology is a set of false representations, false beliefs and effects of
illusions shared by members of a social strata, class, nation, political party, specific culture or world of art, which project possible, actual and immediate world of existence IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE
• ideology is phantasmatic construction which serves as support to our
reality
• it is an illusion which structures effective social relations and masks
traumatic social divisions or confrontations which could not be symbolize IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE
• it is referred to meanings, sense and values of structure power which
particular social formation or society practice as a whole or to which it tends, IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE
• Louis Althusser defined ideology as representation of imaginary
relations of individual to his or her real conditions of existence IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF ARCHITECTURE • In late modernist and postmodernist theories ideology is not defined as natural system but as a form of social symbolic and imaginary production of ideas, values and beliefs. Here explained concept of Approaching the Concept of Ideology • The ideology of an individual is the way s/he perceives her/himself as a singular subject in the context of her/his society, a subject in a community, the community as a subject, and therefore life itself, nature, and the world as phenomena for the subject. Approaching the Concept of Ideology OMA, Exodus, 1971 The end of Utopia? • Modernity as a project • Building the future • Liberation and emancipation • Rationality as basis for society
Le Corbusier, Plan Voisin, 1925
Approaching the Concept of Ideology • Ideology is not a dreamlike illusion that we build to escape insupportable reality; in its basic dimension it is a fantasy-construction which serves as a support for our ‘reality’ itself
Slavoj Žižek: Ideology and Architecture
• architecture is essentially a political and ideological practice that uses its techno-aesthetic and techno-artistic strategies Ideology and Architecture
• as well as in representing the
symbolic and imaginary field of visibility of a society for itself and others Ideology and Architecture Architectural designs (or “styles”) are like the martial arts – different forms founded by different masters upon different philosophies. There are those that adhere to formal purity (like Olympic Boxing), and those that have mixed, eclectic expressions (like Mixed Martial Arts).
Quotable quote by Lee Ho Yin
Neo-classical Architecture Golden period: 19th century to the 1930s Neo-classical Architecture = Neo-classical Architecture, or Neo-classicism in architecture, plays up the grandeur appearance of Classical architecture. It is inspired by the monumental public buildings of ancient Rome. It is an effective expression of state power and has often been used for this purpose. US Capitol Dome (1866) USSR's Zaryadye Administrative Building (1934) Nazi Germany's Reich Chancellery (1939)
Image source: Wikipedia Commons; Wikipedia Commons; www.darkroastedblend.com
Neo-classical Architecture: the Greek Temple as the stylistic reference
Greek temple
Image source: karenswhimsy.com; Wikimedia Commons
Neo-classical Architecture: British Museum, UK (1850)
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Neo-classical Architecture: Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA (1928)
Image source: museums.findthebest.com
Neo-classical Architecture: Supreme Court Building, USA (1935)
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Neo-classical Architecture in Hong Kong: St. Margaret’s Church (1925) Christ the King Chapel (1928)
Image source: asianfiercetiger at www.flickr.com; Bernard Spragg at www.flickriver.com
Neo-classical Architecture: the Greek Temple as the stylistic reference
Neo-classical Architecture: Lincoln Memorial, USA (1922)
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Neo-classical Architecture: Old City Hall, Singapore (1929)
Image source: Lee Ho Yin
Neo-classical Architecture in Hong Kong: Old South Kowloon Magistracy (1936)
Image source: Chong Fat at Wikimedia Commons
Variation of Neo-classicism: Stripped Classical Architecture of the 1930s Examples in Nazi Germany, designed by architect Albert Speer (1905-1981) Reich Chancellery (Hitler’s office) (1938)
Variation of Neo-classicism: Stripped Classical Architecture of the 1930s Examples in the United States San Francisco Mint (1937)
Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building (1936)
Image source: Wikipedia Commons; www.doi.gov
Variation of Neo-classicism: Stripped Classical Architecture of the 1930s Examples in Hong Kong
Old Wan Chai Police Station (1932)
Image source: HK Police; Lee Ho Yin
Variation of Neo-classicism: Stripped Classical Architecture of the 1930s Examples in Hong Kong
Upper Levels Police Station (Police Station No. 8) (1935) Queen Mary Hospital Nurses Quarters, Hong Kong (1937)
Image source: AMO; Lee Ho Yin
Parametric Architecture Golden period: the 2000s to today Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 Parametric Architecture is a trend that began around 2000 when affordable fast and powerful personal computers and easy to use design software became commonplace. This enables architects to design highly complex curvilinear building forms that can only be executed by 3D- modelling design software that uses calculus ( 微積分學 ) as the computing basis – such software was originally used in the aerospace industry.
Image source: Richard rjt208 at flickr; openbuildings.com; www.designboom.com; www.constructionweekonline.com; www.skyscrapercity.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Influence: Topology 拓撲數學 , the mathematical study of the continuity and connectivity of shapes and space (transformation of shapes and space without altering its quantitative nature). Topology's "continuous map" 連續映射 inspired Parametric Architecture's "continuous surface" 連續表面 .
Parametric architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics The superstar who studied mathematics before architecture, and who successfully translated mathematics into architectural aesthetics in the form of “parametric architecture”:
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Analogue computing and complex geometry
Image source: (Sydney Opera House) www.berfrois.com; (orange) www.lifeinreviews.com; (all others) unknown Internet sources; Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Digital computing and complex geometry
Image source: (BMW Welt) www.theluxuryspot.com; (all others) unknown Internet sources Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Digital computing power and complex geometry
1980s computing power for animation Post-2000 computing power for
animation
Image source: (top row) mondoweiss.net; finalfantasy-xiii.net; (bottom row) sketchmodeler.com; www.g4g.it Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Digital computing power and complex geometry
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Mathematic model as inspiration for architecture Möbius Strip 莫比烏斯帶 (mathematical model of a continuous surface)
Image source: paulbourke.net
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Mathematic model as inspiration for architecture Möbius Strip 莫比烏斯帶 (mathematical model of a continuous surface)
Max Reinhardt House, CCTV Headquarters,
Berlin (by Peter Eisenman, project 1992) Beijing (by OMA, completed 2008)
Image source: www.stylepark.com; weheartit.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Mathematic model as inspiration for architecture Möbius Strip 莫比烏斯帶 (mathematical model of a continuous surface)
National Stadium, Beijing (by Herzog & de Meuron, completed 2008).
Image source: realestate.aol.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Mathematic model as inspiration for architecture Voronoi Cells / Diagram 沃羅諾伊組織 / 圖 (mathematical model of a cluster of soap bubbles in 3D or 2D)
Image source: Wikipedia; www.grasshopper3d.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : the aesthetics of mathematics Mathematic model as inspiration for architecture - Voronoi cells (mathematical model of soap bubbles)
Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing (by PTW Architects / Arup / CSCEC / CCDI, completed 2008).
Image source: www.sourcewire.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : aesthetics by mathematics Parametric architecture is a trend that began around 2000 when affordable fast and powerful personal computers and easy to use design software became commonplace. This enables architects to design highly complex curvilinear building forms that can only be executed by 3D- modelling design software that uses calculus ( 微積分學 ) as the computing basis – such software was originally used in the aerospace industry.
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : Czech National Library, Prague (unbuilt) Designed by the world-renowned Czech architect Jan Kaplicky (1937-2009) of the former London- based, husband-and-wife architectural practice, Future Systems. The design won an international competition in 2007 and was commissioned to be built and scheduled for completion in 2011, but the couple divorced, the practice split and the Prague authorities cancelled the project in 2008.
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : Chanel Mobile Art, various locations Designed by British architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016), Chanel Mobile Art (2008) was designed as an "unprecedented travelling exhibition container" that showcased art by contemporary artists inspired by Chanel's iconic handbag. In 2011, it was donated to the Arab World Institute in Paris.
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan Designed by British architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016), the Heydar Aliyev Center (2012) in Buku, Azerbaijan, contains a museum, a gallery and an auditorium. The complex architectural form is reminiscent of a shape of nature.
Image source: (left) Helene Binet and (right) Iwan Baan at www.archdaily.com Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : Ferrari World, United Arab Emerites British architectural practice Benoy’s Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (2010) is an entire theme park (containing a Ferrari Museum) under one insanely huge shape-of-nature roof.
Image source: www.sub5zero.com
Parametric architecture 參數式建築 : Ferrari World, United Arab Emerites British architectural practice Benoy’s Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (2010) is an entire theme park (containing a Ferrari Museum) under one insanely huge shape-of-nature roof.
Image source: cosmonavigator.wordpress.com
Parametric Architecture 參數式建築 : WKCD "Sky Canopy" scheme, Hong Kong British architectural practice Foster + Partners' West Kowloon Cultural District "Sky Canopy" design is a cluster of museums under one stupendously huge shape-of-nature roof. A competition winner in 2002, but a political loser in 2004, because it was too much too soon for people to accept.
Image source: Daily News; South China Morning Post
‘Meaning’ and ‘Context’ in the Language of Architecture Semantics of Architecture • The aesthetic perception and evaluation of a work of architecture should be closely linked with the psychological response to a few principles by which a building is structured
• aesthetic rationalism refers to particular aspects of structuring which
are by their essence rooted in a countable psychological response to, in this way, a shaped whole Semantics of Architecture
• between the classical and pragmatically (contextually) oriented
semantics of verbal language Semantics of Architecture • The role of the building in the semantics of architecture is isomorphic to the role of the sentence in the semantics of verbal language
• A separate building can be further analysed in smaller meaningful
architectural expressions Semantics of Architecture • the architectural meaning is understood as context-dependent, the term ‘context’ being understood not only as a spatial context of a greater architectural expression Semantics of Architecture spatial context 1) a specific building seen in the context of other buildings (this mainly refers to the city);
2) a specific building seen in the context of the surrounding landscape
3) a specific element of the building seen in the context of all the other elements of the building
4) the relationship between a building’s exterior and interior (
Semantics of Architecture not spatial context
1) Context of the same type or author or period/style of buildings (they
can stand apart both in space and time from the given object);
2) the context of theories and concepts related to the building;
3) the context of a certain lifestyle (forms of life) etc.
SYMBOLISM • Humans, owing to their communicating nature, decipher and deduct meaning from all that they do and see or experience in their everyday life
• people express their spatial needs in physical settings, they also
communicate spatially for it is a truism that architecture communicates by directing the knowledge and ideas • The mental images created in the receptors; as in any other form of communication, enables them to derive meaning for them • the user of such built forms learns through his personal experiences, the knowledge encoded in its organization and forms.
• people live not by the things that they see or the spaces that they live in, but by the meaning that they deduct out of such SYMBOLISM AS MANIFESTED IN RELIGIONS
every religious fact has necessarily a symbolic
character.
Every religious act from the moment it
becomes religious, is coded with a significance which in the final instance is symbolic, since it refers to invisible supernatural Christianity
Church buildings essentially symbolize the Ark of
the Most High God as in the case of puritan meeting house; 'Old Ship House'
The Nave, Chancel and Sanctuary respectively
signify the 'Church Militant, the Church Expectant and the Church Triumphant' or 'Earth, Purgatory and Heaven Christianity
Cross symbolically represents the mode of
the Lord's death
Churches, essentially the 'cruciform plan'
remains to be the most favored design in hristendom Islamic A mosque is the most important Islamic building. It is a sacred building used by Muslims for prayer ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLISM FOR SPATIAL COMMUNICATION
Architecture is not simply the 'design of buildings' that are mere
physical enclosures.
On the contrary, it is an expression of thoughts, preferences, beliefs
and emotions in built form, symbolically communicating to its users. ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLISM FOR SPATIAL COMMUNICATION
Serious architecture has a strong moral and social core that has a robe of the manifested; the form with all its attributes
Its visual appeal concerns the overall form, color, lines, shapes, and texture TRENDS IN MODERN ARCHITECTURE
the spirit of twentieth century design and modem architecture were
founded on the principles of eliminating any 'symbolic significance
'pure forms' created through the understanding of structural
principles, 'technical feasibility' for mass production and the requirements TRENDS IN MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Modernism ultimately produced a corporate image consisting of
glass box and desensitization for the human scale and form SYMBOLISM OF COLOURS Modernism ultimately produced a corporate image consisting of glass box and desensitization for the human scale and form color and culure
The Economic and Social Interpretation of Architectural History and Criticism Has Been A Significant Focus of Architectural Discourse Throughout The 20th Century
The Economic and Social Interpretation of Architectural History and Criticism Has Been A Significant Focus of Architectural Discourse Throughout The 20th Century
