Recombinant architecture on materiality in architectural methods

290 Pages·2012·22.84 MB·English

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ABSTRACT
RECOMBINANT ARCHITECTURE
ON MATERIALITY IN ARCHITECTURAL METHODS
by
James P. O'Brien
This thesis is an argument for the development of a
sound material method in architecture. In order to
establish what constitutes a sound material method for
artistic production, an historical survey is made of
architecture, fine arts and literature in the 20th century.
The primary method of research used is the critical analysis
and comparison of artistic methodologies. Key sources in
this analysis are Walter Benjamin's The Work of Art in the
Age of Mechanical Reproduction, and The Author as Producer.
It is found that artistic methods that use modern
materials and methods creatively can be learned from to
inform an architectural method. The final chapter outlines
an initial attempt to demonstrate the research in what is
called a Recombinant Architecture methodology. Of
particular interest are new techniques advanced for (1) the
use of modern materials, (2) the architect's relationship
with manufacture, (3) the architect's interface with labor,
and (4) architectural drawing.
RECOMBINANT ARCHITECTURE
ON MATERIALITY IN ARCHITECTURAL METHODS
by
James P. O'Brien
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of
New Jersey Institute of Technology
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
of Master of Architecture
School of Architecture
May 1995
Copyright (c) 1994 by James P. O'Brien
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
APPROVAL PAGE
RECOMBINANT ARCHITECTURE
ON MATERIALITY IN ARCHITECTURAL METHODS
James P. O'Brien
Mark A. Hewitt, Thesis Advisor Date
Associate Professor of Architecture, NJIT
Peter C. Papademetriou, Committee Member Date
Professor of Architecture, NJIT
Director, Graduate Program,
School of Architecture, NJIT
Michael Mostoller, Committee Member Date
Professor of Architecture, NJIT
Director, Undergraduate Program,
School of Architecture, NJIT
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Author: James P. O'Brien
Degree: Master of Architecture
Date: May 1995
Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
Master of Architecture
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, New Jersey, 1915
Bachelor of Architecture
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia, 1988
Major: Architecture
iv
This thesis is dedicated to the memory of
William F. O'Brien Jr. (1936-1992),
Newark College of Engineering, Class of 1957.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to express his sincere gratitude to
his thesis advisor, Associate Professor Mark A. Hewitt, for
his guidance and support throughout this research.
Special thanks to Professors Peter C. Papademetriou and
Michael Mostoller for serving as members of the committee.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
1 WHY THIS THESIS ON MATERIALITY IN ARCHITECTURE') 1
2 ARCHITECTURAL USE OF MATERIAL IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 10
2.1 Introduction 10
2.2 Precursors to Twentieth Century Material Use.
The Great Exposition of 1851 to the formation of
the German Werkbund, 1907 12
2.3 Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus. Early Modern
architecture, 1909 to World War II: The Architect's
Superior Material Sensibilities Foster Industrial
Partnerships 30
2.4 Modern Architecture from World War II to 1970 36
2.5 The Manufacturers' Vernacular 43
2.6 Robert Venturi 50
2.7 Frank Gehry 57
2.8 After Gehry 60
3 AFTER GEHRY. CRITIQUE OF LOS ANGELES ARCHITECTS:
THOM MAYNE, MICHAEL ROTONDI, ERIC OWEN MOSS,
AND FRANK ISRAEL 73
3.1 Introduction 73
3.2 Precursors to the L.A. School 74
3.3 Theoretical Background: The Post-Modern Critique 78
3.3.1 An Anti-Modern Stance 79
3.3.2 Representations of the de-centered Society 82
3.3.3 Plurality and Anomaly as a Rule 84
3.3.4 A Post-Modern Pretext 88
3.4 Design Intentions 93
3.4.1 Representing Technology: The Useful and the
Useless, Malfunctioning
and Dead Technology 93
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