1.1a Diagraming
As I read the first three paragraphs of Field conditions by Stan Allen the word system came to my mind. Last quarter I had to write a research paper on the effect’s human have on earths biodiversity. I talked through this topic by discussing earth system and how humans have created a system within earths system. Allen is looking at fields and a system of small pieces that work together to reach a common goal if done correctly. He then relates architecture in to all of this. Allen appears to be worried we are straying away from the system “My concern parallels a shift in recent technology from the analog to the digital.” A system works when all pieces are working properly you can’t just skip gears you have to go one by one. Allen re iterated this “Overall shape and extent are highly fluid and less important than the internal relationships of parts”. You need all the pieces of the puzzle.
Allen then goes on to discuss the conceptions of geometry, individual elements arranged in ratios to create a whole. Allen says “ratios are expressed numerically through algebra, ultimately they create geometric proportions”. Allen believes that intervention into space should develop through independent elements that make an entire. Local syntax should be observed and revered and geometric schemas needn’t be imposed. The structure should be able to facilitate intervention without the requirement of reconfiguration.
“All Grids are fields, but not all fields are grids”. An object within a field isn’t separate to the field it emerges from the field. When form is formed, it’s a part of the field. A moire will be described by mathematical equation. A moire is a control produced by regular patterns which are manipulated to form irregularities. A field is actually expressed horizontally in plan, historically the skyscraper could be a monumental disturbance of the grid.
The last sentence in the Flocks, Schools, Swarms, Crowds section I felt was a good coming together of ideas for the section. “Field conditions offer a tentative opening in architecture to address the dynamics of use, behavior of crowds and the complex geometries of masses in motion.” (Allen). A set of straightforward rules can create an organic order, the flock adapted to its environment. The constraints always resulted within the formation of a flock. As opposed to the flock, the crowd has such a large number of variables that it’s result can’t be predicted. A crowd will be angry, joyous, violent. Simply put a crowd is an accumulation of individuals that has got to have momentum yet they’ll react in any way
.
Things just aren’t the same as they used to be. The library or museum, now require a new set of functions. Architects are now expected to accommodate for these changes in knowledge, access and distribution. The old idea of order and category has been questioned by technology and increased communication methods. Contemporary institutions does not need to change with the new condition yet the field conditions will continue to develop – thus a “loose fit” is proposed to allow for changes in
any formal system.
