Materials, form and architecture

Author: Weston
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Architectural art is realized through "the art of building materials" — as described by the German term "Baukunst" (architecture) — yet it is often perceived as an abstract art of design or conception. The evolution of architects from "highly skilled carpenters" or bricklayers into independent designers clearly separates "thinking" (intellectual labor) from "doing" (physical labor), with occasional counter-trend attempts — such as the Arts and Crafts Movement of the 19th century. After a century dominated by discussions of space and form, renewed interest in the structure and materials of architecture has emerged. As we enter the new century, the use of digital media has further accelerated the trend of abstraction in architectural design, yet this has paradoxically spurred a compensatory emphasis on the quality of building materials. Ironically, information technology, which once expanded the possibilities of architecture, now directly controls construction sites and factory workshops, enabling "thinking" and "doing" to develop side by side.
This book opens with a brief introduction, followed by three chapters that explore the historical development of the field from a theoretical perspective: materials, materials and form, and the natural properties of materials. The next seven chapters delve into themes such as the regional and temporal aspects of materials, their application, connections, surfaces, meaning, and materiality and translucency, in shorter essays. Finally, it elaborates on contemporary building materials and their future prospects.
Written in a lively and accessible style, the book aims to draw the attention of architecture students, architects, and general readers to this often-overlooked aspect of architectural practice. By tracing the historical roots of materials, it connects their technical significance to their cultural connotations, critiquing the tendency to view materials solely as a "technical issue." The book is richly illustrated with exquisite images, examples, and quotes, making it an enlightening foundational read.
This book explores the relationship between materials and form in architectural design, offering in-depth analyses of the materials used in architectural works from various historical periods and the forms they produce, or how forms influence material selection. From the perspectives of materials and form, the author examines renowned works by masters such as Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Tadao Ando, Frank Gehry, and Rem Koolhaas, providing numerous examples and abundant illustrations. The book aims to examine multiple aspects of architecture, materials, and form from both historical and theoretical perspectives.
It serves as a valuable reference for professionals in the construction industry and students and faculty of architecture programs.