You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off
During my time at Birmingham School of Architecture I have used my reading, intellectual investigations and subsequent written work to drive my design projects into new territory. This dissertation is the final chapter in a trilogy (1) of texts that endeavour to understand how architectural theory has developed since I began my education in the early 90's. It's discoveries are also part of the evolution of my final thesis project: 'Pigs in Space'. (2)
Essay 1 is inspired by the work completed during my final year of the
undergraduate course along with a text written during the postgraduate History
and Theory course. The knowledge gained from both helping me to construct a
new, clear understanding of what constitutes contemporary practice. Essay 2
explores a small cross-section of the architects I regard as doing the greatest to
further the discourse of both architectural theory and production. To conclude
I have attempted to explain the reasons why I, and many like me, have begun
to spend so much time with our square-headed girlfriends. (3)
December 2000
Contents
Introduction [page 1]: Where shall we go?
Fetishizations of their own design processes / planing the route / preparing the questions
Essay number 1[page 4]: How did we get here?
'Systemic delay' the new 'in-between' - recognising the key texts in the evolution of architectural theory since post-structuralism / understanding the 'undecideable', collage and the in-between / the architect's loss of self / complexity science, feedback and nonlinear systems / the edge of chaos / emergent design as the search for true unpredictability
Essay number 2 [page 20]: What are we doing?
Primacy of form vs. primacy of program - examining the work of practices pushing the limits of contemporary processes / understanding the reasons for the split in the discourse of architectural process / looking at the different use of computers
Conclusion [page 40]: Where are we going next?
The Self Preservation Society / how to position yourself within your work / the square headed girlfriend
Abstract
The central axiom of
this dissertation is to define an understanding of the role of the architect
following the recent years of creative self doubt. Subtitled How did we get
here? and What are we doing?, two essays lay down the foundations
for building a conclusion about the future of the process of architectural
design.
Connections are drawn between the affects of post-structuralism and today's contemporary theory, whilst an exploration of the changing attitude to collage demonstrates how the current position has evolved. The concept of disrupting hierarchies is also demonstrated as the birth of the architect's 'loss of self' or search for objectivity. The importance of Complexity science during the mid 1990's is shown by its cross fertilization of ideas and terminology. Thus grounding contemporary processes through it's hereditary.
Next, the split in architectural discourse between form and program is explained and a selection of architects are chosen to demonstrate the key features of each argument. The common denominator between both architect and choice of discourse is shown to be the use of computers.
Finally, the quest for objectivity is laid to rest by revisiting the concept behind the Universal Turing Machine. The challenge of the eversion from virtual to real, and vice versa, is proposed as the route to emancipation of the creative individual in all of us.
click here to go to dissertation
Notes: Part 1: 'Pharmakon for Architecture (or how I learned to love zombies)', Special Study, Yr 3, April 1998. Part 2: History and Theory essay, D12, Yr 5, February 2000 visit www.annable.co.uk and enter 'diploma' section to see more details "Square-headed girlfriend (or boyfriend): another word for computer." Jargon Watch, Gareth Branwyn, Hardwired. 1997
Acknowledgements
Huge debts of gratitude are owed
to everybody who endured my company during this rather strange time of self
critique. So, in a tear soaked, Paltrowesque style, here goes:
Thanks to:
Taina Rikala, for daily intellectual TLC and single handedly turning the theory course into an exciting, dynamic and useful thing; Hannah Vowles, for her life changing stories about Poodle shaving and absolute truth; Mike Menzies of Axis Design, for being able to filter all that's useless and reach the heart of the matter; Tom Booker and Tristan Ralph, for ensuring I wear my architect's, black, roll neck jumper 24/7; Pete Godber , for persistently disagreeing with me; and finally my wife Sarah for never being jealous about my square-headed girlfriend and because our local interactions will soon produce a surprising, emergent new whole.
This dissertation is dedicated to Rem Koolhaas' theory of 'panic design' and to Gilles Deleuze who, on the strength of a few paragraphs about somebody else's ideas, appears to have changed the course of architectural history.
Drugs of choice: 'Danube' fig seasoned coffee, Fight Club, Tomb Raider 3, Sleazenation magazine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Airwaves Menthol chewing gum, 'The Contino Sessions' by Death in Vegas and 'Parachutes' by Coldplay.
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