Week 3 Lecture + Reading

Lecture: People: who, where, when and how?

My Experience of Howard Smith Wharves

Action: Traveling, walking, moving through the site, experiencing it, viewing, reflecting;
Reaction: construction site: dusty, dirty, unease due to height of cliffs, reacting to noise of traffic on bridge;
Interaction: through site, breeze on my face, smell of the river, height;
Memory: flood heights, the site before the construction, using the site for exercise, thoughts of new farm: unable to reach it;

Reading: Introduction & Frank Gehry

According to Dollens (2001) Models are an extension of rational thinking or of irrational experimentation, building models manifests iconic forms. Physical models are a fantastic way, in my opinion to experiment with spaces, light and form. But in an age of computer generated modeling, it is almost a shame if an Architect does not take advantage of brilliant software, and the “real life” features. Even at today’s level of materialistic Capitalism we exist in virtual contemplation while simultaneously existing in physical space (Dollens, 2001).With the Folie being a small and inspirational form, the use of a physical model can only go so far in exploring the form, lightness and extended context of the site. Dollens (2001) describes computer software as e-space which is considered as a field for the seeding of ideas and growth experiments. Another problem with hand-made models is that they require the architect to adapt them and adapt to them, to think and sculpt space in a way unimagined before (Dollens, 2001).

Dollens, D. (2001). Part 1: Introduction & Frank Gehry. In. D2A, digital to analog, 5-23. Santa Fe, N.M. : SITES.