Welcome to the world of Parametrics.

Parametrics. A new era for architecture has begun. With the aid of computer technology, we are now able to explore a new world of fluid structure. I furthur explored the Reebox flagship store, designed by Rahim and found out many new and interesting concepts he has introduce.

According to Rahim, the digital parametic design is "simply a pursuit of greater efficiency but also the coaxing of an emerging set of techniques and aesthetics."

What I find interesting with his design is the stairway. If his design were just an ordinary staircase, then it would have completely blocked the view of the first floor. So instead, he designed the stairs in a way that when walking up, you can have a view of the first floor. With these little gaps and opening, it also challenges the threshold. In this design, the threshold is not clearly seen since the roof merges with the walls and flows into the floor. Also the idea of repetition is seen within the design, have many components that are similar in shape but plays with the size of each component. His color scheme of white and blue also gives the store its futuristic look. In conclusion, there is alot to learn about parametrics and still alot to explore within this area. If used wisely, parametrics may help shape how we view a space.

Expressionism

In this week's history class, we went rocket fast through postmodernism. In my opinion, i thought we kind of went too fast but i understand that our classes were cut short. Today, i will be giving my opinion on Expressionism. Firstly, I think that Expressionism is too..debatable. I can't find the exact words to describe the era but i find that its too plain. I understand that they took "form follows function" literally, and made buildings in shapes of ducks and fish, while the inside of the building sells...duck- which is understandable, since ordinary people who have no basics in architecture would completely understand. But in my opinion, i think that it's too literal. There should be more function to a duck building than looking like a duck. Otherwise, if all the buildings look like their literal function, then there would be no point of an architect or a designer. Although, i do admit that these buildings are more photogenic than other buildings, i still think it's a little bit leaning towards the shallow end of solving things.

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture

In this week's blog, i'm going to discuss about "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture" by Robert Venturi. We had to read this in class a few weeks back and i made myself a mindmap (again) so i could understand the connections better. Basically, from the text we read, we discussed the difference between complex and complicated. We distinguish that complicated does not mean complex. However, something pure and simple can also be complex. In the text, complex is something that Orthodox Modern architects do not want. In my opinion, they were so focuses on starting new and fresh that they wanted something completely radical so they don't focus their works on complexity. So here it is!