Constraints and variables define themselves relative to each other. A case in point is sheering layers, a concept mentioned by Stuart Brand in How Buildings Learn (Brand). Sheering layers are essentially components of an urban center that evolve in different timescales. In order of longevity, the layers: site, structure, and skin; show how the framework of a city constructs into the fabric. When we think our face, fabric of our face is only a tissue covering bone structure (Brand). One’s appearance is already decided in the level of bone figure. Then, if urban fabric makes a character or impression of a city, don’t we have to focus on its structure, energy flow or inner layer than fabric to scrutinize its route of transform? The adaptability of a building, according to Brand, is determined by “the degree to which faster layers are not obstructed by slower layers.” Transforming urban fabric layers are injected from slower layers to adapt a new urban center
2 comments:
not only does the city build upon itself in levels of structure but it also 'remembers' past forces, injuries and adaptations - see lebbeus woods article on scar tissue in his book in the library.
another important feature are the 'growing pains' a city goes through when m,oving from one size to the next, certainly when earlier systems cannot deal with the load, or restrict growth - sometimes this has a benefit later -frankfurt city wall was turned into a massive garden- or painful effect philadelphia has in the past been hampered and helped by its need for water sources that are clean, it restrcited growth but also gave us fairmount park, removed the hill of fairmount, and then later gave us the site for the art musuem.
some cities anticipated growth, some buildings anticipate growth, addition of personell floors etc. but never anticipated the need for say internet wiring.
this is all and interesting metaphore and there are plenty of examples to back it up.
what specific niche are you interested in exploring? well i guess that's why we're all here...
Tim-
Looking forward to some solid postings here (both textual and visual) before we next meet again as a group...and after this current jury.
The "skin as fabric" title and the intro images do come as a bit of a surprise to me. Yes, I know you mean this in an urban context, but you are titling and giving visuals that would lead me to think that your research is more about the materiality of the architectural skin...which it is not, right? A better title?
Discussion on Weds night was fine- about the need to focus on site (the perfect site for your perceptual gradations, with the current site shown standing in as a "draft site". But maybe West Phila/ Univ City to look at. What is the most pungent and most succinct site in terms of people and destinations and movement systems to most strongly draw out your program...and eventually your design...is what you are seeking. And even though it is at an early stage, and knowing you are thinking adaptive reuse, might you be considering that the same sort of perceptual variability plays out INSIDE some existing shell? Is this another facet of the Koolhaas Seattle library- the movements thru the inside?
A decent start on site...and doing a good job trying to relate it to your theoretics. Now to anchor it more precisely and expand it into the realm of making architecture.
jp
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