Appunti Atelier for Technologies Parziale 1

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ATELIER FOR TECHNOLOGIES

CdLM Interior & Spatial Design, aa. 20/21, prof. Laura Daglio

Lecture 1 3

Lecture 2 8

Lecture 3 14

_The fusion of planes 14

_Sharp edge 16

_Negative Joint 17

_Positive Joint 18

_Combination of different joint types in interior design 18

_Transition Concepts 19

Lecture 4 22

Lecture 5 24

Ceiling 24

Lecture 1

Detailing can be understanding a specific construction technology​ , related to a material and its

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specifics: for example the usage of wood or iron, very interesting and fascinating different

techniques, such as one used by Mies Van der Rohe. Detailing can be also putting together

different materials (eg. Fondazione Prada); can be about scale​ , and this relationship between

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the detail and the building scale. Designers interpret buildings as industrial products, and others

consider industrial products as small architectures (F. Lloyd Wright: the detail is what

characterizes the building). Detailing is also about choice​ , about the different possibilities

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available on the market​ .

The first aspect of this word is quite recent, developed

in the early 17th century, related to the re-thinking,

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understanding and how we perceive and understand the

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structures

. The second aspect is related to the selection

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of one element from the all there is no part if there is

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no all.

Detail and fragment are both pieces from architecture: from a more specific analysis, we noticed

that the first one highlights the product​ , on the contrary the second is a broken piece from

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architecture. The fragment can be perceived on itself, it can become an inspiration form; the detail

instead is perceived as a relation with the architecture.

[ Detail focuses on the whole as the original status it comes from, on the action which transforms

the whole in detail and on the subject who performs the activity of detailing. ]

In architecture, details can be considered as partial data belonging to the architectural whole

how can we distinguish the different architecture parts? In elements and relationships

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between these elements. Architecture can be considered as a system, and it’s composed of

different elements and relationships.

The architecture history can explain us which are these elements and how they relate to each

other:

1. Typological​ elements:

materials

;

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● elements defined as the smallest components of the building with a specific

● purpose;

structures as combinations of elements.

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●

2. Technical elements: we can organize the different elements by a standard regulation (UNI

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8290 rule);

3. Functiona​ l elements: transferring loads, conditioning indoor air;

4. Formal elements:

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subordinate elements

: plastic (eg. pillars) or perforating (eg. doors, windows);

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● bounding surfaces

: “Subordinate elements which are interrelated and form superior

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● mass elements (...) often have a double function in defining simultaneously masses

and spaces;

mass-element

: “body which is separated from its environment in such a way that

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● its extensions can be described by means of a Euclidean co-ordinate system. (...)

The Egyptian pyramid exemplifies a pure mass-form)”;

space-elements

: “A space element comes into existence when the intervals

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● (intermediate spaces) acquire figure character.”.

In the past, the relationship between different elements of architecture has been defined in several

manuals and architecture theories, such as:

modular coordination​ : relationship defined by their dimensions;

● classical canons of proportion: the column height was in relationship with its length, etc.

● The different parts are distinguished and analyzed by different dimensions;

anthropometry:​ different building parts have to respond to human dimensions.

●

Another perspective that separates the building from the parts can be using building systems​ :

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it’s possible to single out some clusters of elements, such as systems of elements

: which can be

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considered as typical combinations of structures (of elements) fulfilling the same task which

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can be recognized within the building. Partitioning of the building in different layers

, for

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→

example :

Structural system as the sum of: Waterproofing system:

structure of foundation and plynth; foundation waterproofing;

● ●

structure of vertical load bearing flashings;

● ●

elements; roof waterproofing;

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structure of horizontal load bearing gutters;

● ●

element drainpipes.

●

structure of roofing elements.

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Thermal insulation system: Service system:

facades vertical insulation layering; heating and cooling system;

● ●

roofing, external flooring systems plumbing;

● ●

insulation layering; electrical and lighting system;

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discontinuities. ventilation system;

● ● lifting equipment, etc.

●

Circulation spaces system: Aesthetical communication system:

vertical circulation systems; layers;

● ●

horizontal circulation systems. tectonic nodes;

● ● autonomous ornamental elements.

●

Detailing is not a problem of providing structural requirements, space usability, but it’s a creative

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process where we have a wide range of possibilities that allow us to respond to the “building or

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users requirements”

.

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“Detailing is a creative process of problem solving with constraints and choices aimed at

translating broad design concepts into construction

reality. Sometimes there are more constraints than

choices and sometimes more choices than

constraints. It is the designer’s task to know how to

make the best choices and attempt to make

constraints into assets. It is not just a technical

activity, but also a creative process.”

Responding to a specific need? That detailing has a function, it’s a part of architecture that must

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respond to different requirements

. There are three basic things detailing does:

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1. it’s a way of fitting pieces together: there must be a way of physically and visually

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connecting the various components of an interior space or architectural feature;

2. detailing solves functional problems​ : responding to the specific need the interior space

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is trying to fulfill;

3. detailing is one of the most important ways of enhancing the overall design intent of the

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project. The basic elements and principles of design, as well as broad design concepts,

can be reinforced with the design of the smaller scale details that make up the space.

Historical perspective

The building construction was related to the “regola dell’arte”, an unwritten rules of specific crafts

related to the different part assembly, developed by artisans and workers during history,

improving little by little every construction and techniques; there are less-range opportunities in

order to change these rules. Before 1900, architects drew details very rarely, because the

construction technology rules belonged to artisans.

Today, according to the new amount of materials available on the market, they’re not any longer

related to unwritten rules and craftsman skills, but they relate to architects in a more challenging

way: he has to decide different finishes, cladding, structures etc.

Architects and designers have to cope with these different problems, and they have to respect

these new detailed rules, which can be very challenging.

Conventional technology and prescriptive technology are related to opposites factors:

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standardized and innovative detailing​ . The first one has been defined by conventional rules,

commonly adopted, the second one is based on designing a new element, a new detail, providing

a personal research in architecture (like Renzo Piano, which developed new construction systems,

new detailing and new solutions). Standardized (conventional tech) are solutions, behaviors and

rules which have been tested and fixed during centuries; innovative detailing can present possible

failures, due to new elements introduction, and because we have to see in time how the building

behavior will be in the next years.

Sometimes problems may occur due to lack of information from a draw, mistakes that workers

have followed from a draw, the lack of communication, etc. Another important problem that can

manifest is the presence (at same time) of both handicrafts and industrialized technologies. In the

detailing activity there are different professional roles, that’s why an optimal communication and

cooperation is required.

Therefore, detailing can:

be understand as means​ of​ innovation;

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● be a means of communication​ between designers and workers;

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● be a connection between handicraft and industrialised production, or a connection

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● between different disciplines.

How do details solve functional problems? How to define quality? rules & codes.

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→

Rules and codes try to define behaviours ways in order to provide an excellent quality. Detailing

can be called a wicked problem: it’s not an equation, it doesn’t have one right solution, or wrong.

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It’s a combination of solutions that are born from the cooperation between different professional

roles. Often a solution is required to fully understand the problem: the detailing activity is an

exploration and analysis of different solutions, where we develop a range of behaviours which will

allow a future usage. There is no definite stopping pont, because there are countless variables to

design problems, there are always more alternatives to explore or research to be done.

Constraints and resources to solve a problem can change over time​ and context​ .

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The detail environment can be represented with this diagram: in the centre we can see the final

solution, and around it there are the different elements “costrains” but potentials in contemporary

architecture that must be considered in order to develop the final detailing solution.

Lecture 2

Detail in architecture - Relationships of architectural part to the architectural whole from

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aesthetic - communicational point of view.

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Le baron Vert, Osaka 1992 by Philippe Starck and Edificio INA, Parma 1950-54 by Franco Albini

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are two buildings similar and different at the same time. The first one presents an amount of

details very poor: the first perception of this building is like a big design object. The second one is

very distinguishable, as we can see the wooden roller shutters, structural white grid, fireface brick,

etc. This main difference allows us to distinguish between these two architectural definitions.

Synthetic and Analytical Architectures

Musée des Travaux Public, Paris 1938 by A. Perret

: an example of monolithic architecture, created

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with fireface concrete, but the building design shows the different parts, with a separation that

creates shades and highlights the distinction between pillars. Despite one material usage, we can

see the different elements combination, which allow us to classify this building as Analytical

architecture.

This picture shows the structure of a traditional architecture,

where the different moles and cornices can be seen. The

molding shows the different continuities creating shadow

gaps, creating the chiaroscuro effect.

We can distinguish the windows, the grid, like a narration of different elements that creates the

architecture (this in analytical arch.). The narrative of analytical architecture is a storytelling of how

the building was made, the technology and material used, like Franco Albini buildings.

- Monolithic Architectures -

One of the most ancient examples of monolithic architecture are the Giza Pyramids, a formal

continuity of the elements through pure forms able to submit the different elements to the rigid

global design. Newton Cenotaph, 1784 by Eienne Louis Boullée

: In this picture it is difficult to

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estimate the building’s scale. The concept of pure geometry and form belongs to special

moments in architecture history, for example the french revolution.

- Synthetic Architectures -

Other architects used the idea of plastic and fluid forms, in order to give a formal continuity of

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elements and to be able to clad discontinuities Schocken Retail Store, Berlin 1926 and Einstein

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Tower, Potsdam, 1920-24 by Erich Mendelsohn.

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Selfridges Retail Store, Birmingham, 2003 by Future System: t

he synthetic architecture presents

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very simple forms and shapes, but in order to con