to infinity and beyond - Part I

It's snowing again! What is going on?! The garden is covered in white powder only to be disturbed by staccato of cat and wild fox footprints. Anyway, after previous retrospective posts, I would like to discuss a theoretical concept within architecture. The topic I'll be discussing this time would require a few instalments because I know I would certainly require it. That plus a large tumbler of Glenmorangie.

If there is one word we as architects used regularly, it would have to be space. We describe, talk, search & design around it, a professional obsession that has been instilled in us from our first days in architecture school. Close second would be experience, and how we experience space. Does our past experience contribute to the spaces we design? Does space reminds us of past experiences? You can see where I'm going with this, can't you? And, the list goes on and on. God forbid if our reading list doesn't include Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space.

Yes, of course it's important. Of course, it is vital in our professional work. All living entity relates closely to space, from the microscopic cells to the grandest of delphinoidea and everything in-between. Distance and volume is critical in our quest for that brilliant piece of architecture that we all strive to create so that we can be honoured with the Pritzker Prize by our adouring as well as jealous comrades.

But that isn't the whole story. The word experience conjecture duration which in effect is time. Therefore, time is also an important factor. In classical mechanics, time is treated as universal and constant being totally independent of the state in motion of the observer. However, in relativity, time cannot be separated from the 3-dimensional space because the rate in which time passes is calculated closely on an object's velocity relative to the speed of light. My interest lies in this space/time relationship. Have I lost you with all this serious talk yet? If not, let's continue.

Now, we describe space in 3 spatial dimensions - width, length & height. These dimensions are independent to locate a specific point in space. Meanwhile, we describe time in a temporal dimension that most consider linear. Up until early 20th century, we separate spatial dimension and temporal dimension. It was only until the study of quantum mechanics that a fourth dimension was considered (i.e. 3 + 1 dimension). I, follow the notion that space and time are combined into a single continuum (4th Dimension), more so now after stumbling across a concept the Incas believed while I was researching their civilisation. In Aymara language, pacha is considered a single entity of space & time, a concept that all master builders follow.

What relevance has this got to do with bricks and mortar? Absolutely everything! Imagine only being able to work with black & white and suddenly, you're given a full spectrum of Pantone colours. A completely new image will occur. A building / structure are only static to the naked eye except in relation to time, which it is constantly moving. What is more, its position relative to other neighbouring structures affects its position in space/time. Adding to this, we have other external forces playing a part (i.e. traffic, weather, seasons, etc). You might be thinking, Guido, that's call environmental factors. But, I assure you, that explanation is not enough in its entirety. Adding a fourth dimension will create a completely different sensorial experience for the observer. So, what about Organic architecture, Zaha and followers? Pfffff!!! Mutton dressed as lamb.

Mental note to myself, I need another bottle of Glenmorangie. Part II coming soon folks.