From Formalism to Weak Form: The Architecture and Philosophy of Peter Eisenman

151 Pages·2014·1.64 MB·English

by  Stefano Corbo

From Formalism to Weak Form:
the architecture and PhilosoPhy oF Peter eisenman
ashgate studies in architecture series
series editor: eamonn canniffe, manchester school of architecture,
manchester metropolitan university, uk
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awareness permeates our visually dominated culture. technological change,
the search for sustainability and debates around the value of place and meaning
of the architectural gesture are aspects which will affect the cities we inhabit. this
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the publication of high quality original research, written and visual.
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From Formalism to Weak Form:
the architecture and Philosophy
of Peter eisenman
stefano corbo
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,
Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura (ETSAM), Spain
© stefano corbo 2014
all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
stefano corbo has asserted his right under the copyright, designs and Patents act,
1988, to be identified as the author of this work.
Published by
ashgate Publishing limited ashgate Publishing company
Wey court east 110 cherry street
union road suite 3-1
Farnham Burlington, Vt 05401-3818
surrey, Gu9 7Pt usa
england
www.ashgate.com
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
a catalogue record for this book is available from the British library.
isBn: 9781472443144 (hbk)
isBn: 9781472443151 (ebk – PdF)
isBn: 9781472443168 (ebk – ePuB)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
corbo, stefano.
From formalism to weak form : the architecture and philosophy of Peter eisenman / by
stefano corbo.
pages cm. -- (ashgate studies in architecture)
includes bibliographical references and index.
isBn 978-1-4724-4314-4 (hardback) -- isBn 978-1-4724-4315-1 (ebook) -- isBn 978-1-
4724-4316-8 (epub) 1. eisenman, Peter, 1932---criticism and interpretation. 2. eisen-
man, Peter, 1932---Philosophy. i. title.
na737.e33c67 2015
720.92--dc23
2014028926
V
For Amandio and Achille

Contents
List of Figures ix
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction 1
1 Basis 9
2 Formal Terrorism 23
3 Archaeology 39
4 Deconstruction 53
5 Arbitrariness 65
6 Process 75
7 Affect 87
8 Oppositions 101
Afterword 123
Bibliography 129
Index 135
This page has been left blank intentionally
List of Figures
Cover 2.3 Peter Eisenman, House II,
Peter Eisenman, Memorial to the Hardwick, Vermont, USA, 1969−70.
Murdered Jews of Europe. Source: Courtesy of Ron Zschaler and John
Stefano Corbo Makau
Frontispiece 3 Archaeology
Peter Eisenman Visual Dictionary. 3.1 Archaeological layering, Berlin
Source: Stefano Corbo 1981−5. Source: Stefano Corbo
1 Basis 3.2 Peter Eisenman, Berlin
1.1 Giuseppe Terragni, Casa del IBA Housing, Friedrichstrasse,
Fascio, Como. Courtesy of Hagen Berlin, Germany, 1981−5.
Stier Architektur + Fotografie. http:// Source: http://commons.wikimedia.
hagenstier.polychroma.de/ org/wiki/File:Berlin,_Kreuzberg,_
Friedrichstrasse_43–44,_Haus_am_
1.2 Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Pianta di Checkpoint_Charlie.jpg
Roma e del Campo Marzio, 52.4 × 75.9 cm,
etching 1762. Source: http://it.wikisource. 3.3a Peter Eisenman, City of Culture,
org/wiki/File:Piranesi-16002.jpg Santiago de Compostela, Spain,
1999−2013. Courtesy of Xornal Certo.
2 Formal Terrorism Xornal Dixital de Barbanza e Noia.
2.1 Transformational Grammar: www.certo.es
Peter Eisenman, Houses 1969−75.
Source: Stefano Corbo 3.3b Peter Eisenman, City of
Culture, Santiago de Compostela,
2.2 Peter Eisenman, House II, Hardwick, Spain, 1999−2013. Courtesy of
Vermont, USA, 1969−70. Courtesy of Xornal Certo. Xornal Dixital de
Ron Zschaler and John Makau Barbanza e Noia. www.certo.es