Download - Essay on architecture
• How does architecture direct your emotional experience? Renzo Piano,
LeCourbusier, Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid • Should form or function be the primary concern in developing innovative
modern architecture? • Compare and contrast the development of architectural styles seen in
today’s London skyline. There are many areas I wish to cover within this essay, for example the emotional experience that we encompass that is directed by certain types of architecture. Whilst focusing most of the time on answering this question, I will also be touching the two other titles. Each of these topics feature the fact that architecture is changing as the world evolves. Architects such as Renzo Piano, LeCourbusier, Norman Foster and Zahan Hadid are famous for creating and designing mesmerizing buildings. These buildings are often contemporary 19th and 20th century buildings that are environmentally friendly and also very much appeal to the modern human eye. I am also going be discussing my directional emotions in both visiting the physical building and taking pictures of the model in the V&A.
This style of modernism and flat-‐roofs as seen in the building on the left was designed by LeCourbousier. The style is now commonly used in the areas of France, Italy, Russia, Germany and Britain; it is argued often that the style is the wrong way that architects should connect with the
people. It is said that after the war, the architects became more futuristic and creative with their designs. In terms of this building having an effect on my emotional experience, I would feel that the building has a unique persona. Also the fact that the roof is flat it makes it a more interesting project. Also the fact that the building is made from concrete and the ground is made from concrete, tells me that LeCorbousier had extra confidence in his design. This means the form and function will possibly be strong based on the fact that the house is built with cement, which is very reliable. Therefore just by observing the building it is quite refreshing, because the design is like no other. They would draw all different kinds of scenes that building would look like and drew different shapes of roofs. Modernists nowadays, tend to draw unique buildings. Even when LeCourbousier would be challenged and insulted by other artists because of his new designs. Flat roof designing of buildings was not the norm in those days,
however LeCourbousier overcame those naysayers and created influential and emotional designs.
LeCourbousier was a French architect, designer, urbanist and writer. He was most famous for being one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture. Born and raised in Switzerland,
his career spanned for five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout Europe, India and America. LeCourbousier began the trend of flat top houses and buildings, based with a concrete texture, this may have been a debate between people in his age, and however his buildings are now one of the contemporary styled designs to look up to. LeCourbousier has been a major inspiration to each and every artist since he was established, LeCourbousier wanted to modernise the buildings of that era and decided to use flattop buildings. ‘I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies’ (quote from LeCorbousier). I think this quote from him reflect on the point that he does not care what other peoples thought of him is, he designs what he wants to try to attract people not attract critics.
This is a block of flats based in Marseille, France. Designed by LeCourbousier, a debate arose because of the building which resulted in the reconstruction between 1944 and 1946. He was told that he is liable for the fact that it is now a ‘shithole’ said by John Bird the founder of Big Issue. The debate was mainly about LeCourbousier not understanding how to communicate with the poor, because the building he has designed was too high quality in terms of interior design. Therefore LeCourbousier was labelled as ‘not understanding the poor’. Meaning he does not know what they want in a home, instead he put what he thought would be good, but because his taste and the taste of less advantaged people is different, the building now looks like a dump. Evidently, you can see how
LeCourbousier had his designs leading people’s emotional experiences in different directions. E.g. many were critics of his work, however many were inspired by his work and his work appealed to some. Conversely, I believe that LeCorbousier is an artist that only chose to look forward, in terms of creating new designs and mixing up styles. He was not afraid to experiment with different styles, which resulted in him being one of best architects of all time. His designs are unique, creative and inspiring to me, which is why as an architect I do look up to him. Likewise, comparing London’s skyline nowadays with the skyline in London many years ago, there is a huge difference in the style and designs. There are now a lot more buildings and skyscrapers than before. The architectural technology has modernised over time, causing the structure and image of the buildings to be effective and functional. Buildings such as the shard and gherkin direct my emotions to a place where, I feel it is more about imagination than restrictions when it comes to architecture. You are free to imagine unique buildings such as LeCourbousier that can still attract audiences and still be a success. Although, in the process of building and designing there will be a sense of strain of what the building can look like because of the structure needed and the economic restrictions for the project. ‘Consider two major London buildings: the Shard and St Paul's Cathedral. One is a monstrous addition to the London skyline which dominates views of the city and has divided public opinion between those who hate it and those who loathe it. The other is the Shard.’ (The Huffington Post). My opinion of ‘The Shard’ is that it is a beautiful skyscraper, which portrays a bit of London, in terms of offices, tall buildings and it’s a piece of London that will definitely attract people from locations. In contrast, Renzo Piano another great architect has been given the chance to design one of the world’s most inspiring buildings. The ‘shard’ is going to be one of the tallest buildings in the world. Renzo Piano has also like LeCourbousier made a unique, one of a kind building/skyscraper. These types of artists inspire me to create a one of a kind project that is unique, yet prudent.
Renzo Piano is one of the few architects that have made a great difference in London’s skyline and to other artist’s emotional experience. Furthermore now that the skyscraper is finished being built, people have already visited the ‘important symbol for London’. It is an important step in making London, England a substantial pin point in the world.
Just like this project by Renzo Piano ‘Green Museum’ in San Francisco. This is another example of all the projects that he has done showing other artists and people that it is good to unique and different. This natural phenomenon which is mostly
created with glass, surprises all crowds because of the shape, material used and the design of the museum. "The building had to be green and sustainable to go with its purpose—study of the earth and science. It is also in a very unusual place, the middle of one of the most beautiful parks in the world. You almost never get a chance to build something in the middle of a great park, so it needed to be transparent. You needed to see where you are. Normally, a museum of natural science is created like a theater, so that you can have the exhibits inside. All museums normally are opaque; they are closed, like a kingdom of darkness, and you are trapped inside. But here you need to know about the connection with nature, so almost anywhere you are in this building you can see through to the outside." (Renzo Piano)
This model really stood out to me, because of the detail and style of the building. Winston Churchill said ‘We shape our buildings; therefore they shape us.’ This building has therefore taken effect on my emotional experience. It has directed it in a way of creativity and imagination. This building is therefore contemporary and living in the present age, the style and genre of the building is very
environmental. The environmental topic is really hot in this age because of global warming, but this building is very open and clean. The model features Bluewater
and it opens up a whole new world, it is not restricting or confining. My emotional experience takes positive effect from this model, because it highlights how the design was based around the community, for instance as I said it is not restricting in terms of space. It also is very different from other shopping mall entrances so again it is refreshing. The bluewater environmental design does it job, because it covers you from the rain however it very much allows breeze and air to pass through the corridor. There are no restrictions from moving around which makes it more appealing to people including myself. I think the design is perfect for the situation in which it is in, it holds all form and function and has passed my expectation in terms of design and style. In conclusion, artists such as LeCourbousier and Renzo Piano have very much directed my emotional experience in the direction of being open to new buildings and become a critic of a new building just because it has been designed unusually. However, the London skyline consists of some fairly old buildings such the big ben and house lords and parliament. They give the London skyline an edge, because some of the skyline is modern and imaginative when the other half is Standard English buildings. Although comparing nowadays skyline and the skyline back then was interesting because although a lot has changed over the years, it has had few negatives effects on me. The emotions that I pick up from the shard and gherkin and other modern buildings is that it is imaginative and unique, never seen before which makes the designs all that better. Visiting the Victoria & Albert museum has expanded my imagination, but has also inspired me as an individual artist. I can say that I have experienced many world-‐class projects, photographs, models, drawings and architectural fragments. The gallery has chosen buildings, from a range of different countries around the world. Each study stood out to me as an artist, because of its detailed features and use of colour. Every model has its own cultural background and history, which was explained just below the model on a document. Each model is made individual and sheds its inspiration on people in different ways. I have been managed to take multiple photos of the architectural models, which will help me gain an understanding of the architectural history. Conversely, each one of the architectural models gave me a different emotional experience and for each model I have got something different to say. There were a few models that stood out to me and as an artist you have to analyse and discuss the features of a model before choosing the best ones. I have also designed my own architectural experiences and have taken photos of the London skyline and how it has changed and evolved into a much more attractive and modernised scene. The fact that the London skyline has changed over the years has had many negative effects and many positive effects. For example, once the gherkin was designed it encouraged other buildings around London to be more modernised even though they are not all in the skyline. However, some may say that the older buildings gave the city a bit more maturity and history.
For example from this type of building which shows age, maturity and a sense of history. The bricks are decaying and the walls are becoming darker because of corrosion and weather. Some individuals’ say this is what tourists come to see, the ancient buildings that were in the Victorian age or older. Conversely there are people who are fascinated over new buildings for instance, skyscrapers etc.
For some people, the buildings above are a great attraction because of the crazy, unusual designs, In addition is fascinates me at the fact that form and function does not make the architect hold back on designs. First of all the gherkin twists round as it reaches the pinnacle, this means the builders had to make sure the glass put together created the twisty illusion as it got higher. This picture on the left is a image of one of my designs from my editorial. My editorial is based upon art and architecture, showing the different buildings in London and how each one compares to the other.
Furthermore, the shard, which is the tallest building in Europe, has to be an interesting idea. The height and shape of the shard is magnificent, making the artist ‘Renzo Piano’ that more known to the public and giving his work that much more respect. I have grown up seeing old buildings in the London skyline, and honestly I thought it looked great, it set the tone to the city and gave the surrounding a historic base. However, as I have grown up I have become more in touch with technology and its evolvement. Therefore when the gherkin was being created, I was happy because the architects of nowadays are now thinking of more modern designs that historic designs. But at the same time, I wondered if the new designs e.g. the shard etc. really gave the tourists and city people something that will reflect the olden days of England. Going into the Victorian buildings really gives the vibes of the Victorian age and enables me to embrace London’s roots, but with the shard and gherkin being made it pushes out the Victorian age and says ‘it’s time for the modern age, out with the old and in with the new’.