Homework assignment: Architect at work
Considering how we have previously discussed on what defines an Architect, the argument naturally reaches a point where one might question: How does an Architect do things? What unique skills does he posses that set him apart from other designers?
According to Geoffrey Broadbent, there are four distinguishable skills for generating three dimensional forms. They include pragmatic, iconic, anagogic and canonic.
The Pragmatic design operates on a trial and error platform which is also the earliest way of building. Such kind of construction can be witnessed as early as 40000 years ago where the early men would use raw materials found in nature, such as mammoth skin and bones, to shield from the wild nature surrounding them. However this method has also been used later on in history, with examples such as the Indian Tepee, the black tents of the Arabs as well as the Eskimo's Igloo. Even now days architecture has found use for such a building way in order to test materials and new techniques.
After having dealt with Pragmatic design, it is possible to move on to Iconic Design. It is closely related to the history of a tribe, it's legends and soul. Through spoken history and songs, many tribes manage to pass the knowledge of "building" from generations to generations thus fixing certain ideals on the people's consciousness. It is made an easier process because their lifestyles are closely related to the way they build.
Moreover, another mechanism of generating new forms may be achieved through analogy. Anagogic Design consists of creating new forms by observing already existing ones. It is a quite logical method since even when we look at a new form we try to relate it or make an analogy with something we already know, such as certain structures or examples from nature. The Mastabas, Ancient Egyptian funerary complexes, would make a typical case of an analogy with a heap of stones. Other examples include the Kahn's performing art center which resembles the form of a violin in its case as well as Le Corbusier's roof of the chapel at Ronchamp which resembles as horse crab shell.
Regularity in a design may be made possible by using the Canonic Design. It consists of regulating grid lines with make the process of generating 3D forms and creating architectural buildings much easier. It depends only on the Architect to choose what type of gridline he is going to use, be it the human scale or something else.
Lastly, as the author has also explained, the purpose of these distinct skills and methods relies on building aesthetically pleasing buildings which at the same time are functional and long-lasting.
According to Geoffrey Broadbent, there are four distinguishable skills for generating three dimensional forms. They include pragmatic, iconic, anagogic and canonic.
The Pragmatic design operates on a trial and error platform which is also the earliest way of building. Such kind of construction can be witnessed as early as 40000 years ago where the early men would use raw materials found in nature, such as mammoth skin and bones, to shield from the wild nature surrounding them. However this method has also been used later on in history, with examples such as the Indian Tepee, the black tents of the Arabs as well as the Eskimo's Igloo. Even now days architecture has found use for such a building way in order to test materials and new techniques.
After having dealt with Pragmatic design, it is possible to move on to Iconic Design. It is closely related to the history of a tribe, it's legends and soul. Through spoken history and songs, many tribes manage to pass the knowledge of "building" from generations to generations thus fixing certain ideals on the people's consciousness. It is made an easier process because their lifestyles are closely related to the way they build.
Moreover, another mechanism of generating new forms may be achieved through analogy. Anagogic Design consists of creating new forms by observing already existing ones. It is a quite logical method since even when we look at a new form we try to relate it or make an analogy with something we already know, such as certain structures or examples from nature. The Mastabas, Ancient Egyptian funerary complexes, would make a typical case of an analogy with a heap of stones. Other examples include the Kahn's performing art center which resembles the form of a violin in its case as well as Le Corbusier's roof of the chapel at Ronchamp which resembles as horse crab shell.
Regularity in a design may be made possible by using the Canonic Design. It consists of regulating grid lines with make the process of generating 3D forms and creating architectural buildings much easier. It depends only on the Architect to choose what type of gridline he is going to use, be it the human scale or something else.
Lastly, as the author has also explained, the purpose of these distinct skills and methods relies on building aesthetically pleasing buildings which at the same time are functional and long-lasting.
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