Understanding Again

"SUCCESS is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple host 5
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory,

As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear 10
The distant strains of triumph
Break, agonized and clear."

Emily Dickinson 1830 - 1886

We only fully appreciate what we want but don't have.

Understanding

How Much information do we need to give to communicate effectively? Do more words always mean more clarity? On a conceptual level less is more, one word can be reflective of a hundred ideas. But without other words how do we know which ideas are key? How do we stop others applying their own ideas instead of those intended? Should we try?

[Above image- Parc De La Villette by Bernard Tschumi]

Big Bang

Sometimes it feels like there isn't enough detail, others there is so much it is difficult to understand what is going on. I'm stuck with both and really want to reach the place inbetween where everything makes sense. Sometimes I hate Architecture, sometimes I love it, sometimes I wish I could just hand my construction assignments to an engineer.

http://www.stairporn.org/




MVRDV staircases - Beautiful

Neutra(l)

I've just finished reading Buildings and Projects of Richard Neutra, a book I found buried in the library. I was hoping it would give an insight into the ideas behind his work but the written information isn't very helpful. There are however some really exciting drawings such as this one:

I love the energy that comes accross in the perspective drawing and the fluidity expressed in the plan.

Interview with David Chipperfield

Martha Thorne (Exec. Director of the Pritzker Prize) interviewed David Chipperfield for IE University, Spain.He talks about his opinion of current architecture and where he thinks the future will take the field, also some advice for students.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=8oAV20bDhEA

Stealing the Empire

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/081203/oddities/us_offbeat_newyork_justice_fraud

A New York Newspaper stole the Empire State Building, what's next? The Eiffel Tower, Big Ben? Think of the fun they could have had comissioning a re-design in homage to their pickpocketing talents.

Why?

(Pictured- Peter Eisenman and Rem Koolhaas, both sporting an all black ensemble)

http://www.ribabookshops.com/site/viewtitle.asp?sid=&pid=9833&HID=

It's an odd phenomenon but flicking through my Architecture NOW! books it's quite obvious, all the thumbnail images of the architects show them adorned in black. Is the career that depressing? Or is it a matter of functionality, if all our clothes are black we don't have to worry if the colours match. What's your reason?

Arnold Brandhuber - "They are in mourning about their many unrealised projects."

Progression

The restart:
I have decided I want to take a new approach with Blogging.
I have decided to take a new approach with Architecture.
Everything in my life is going through a stage of rejuvination, starting again in a new direction or in a new manner.