Field Conditions, Stan Allen

From Object to Field

This idea of developing fields comes from bringing together many objects in a harmonious way. Its more focused on the complex collection of objects, rather than the simple singular object. From what I understood, the author describes how important it is to think thoughtfully an logically when organizing these many objects so that they can bring together “diverse elements while respecting the identity of each.” Its important that field conditions have repetition and “seriality.”  To generalize, this idea of field conditions has a strong focus on how forms are made through the connection of objects or the relationships formed, rather than the objects themselves.

Geometric VS Algebraic Combinations

What I took away from this idea was that organic geometric organization can create unity in a complex or simple way. Its by combining singular objects together so that they form a whole.  I also gathered that classical architecture has a fairly strict set of “rules” or  “principles” that it followed through its proportions, axiality, symmetry and sequence. These four elements defined how a structure was organized. The author used The Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain to show an example of this and how it connects “part to part” to create unity. In comparison to geometric organization which focuses on lines and form, algebraic focuses more on strict numerical units repeated one after the other. Stan Allen uses St. Peter’s as an example of algebraic architecture through its several modifications and updates where the structure was transformed and extended.

Thick 2D

“All grids are fields, but not all fields are grids.” Grinds can be used for us to understand placement and views as well as understanding or organizing geometries. A field deals with shape and structure, and can itself be manipulated. Fields have peaks and valleys,  Tokyo is an example of a 3D field, however at its core, fields are horizontal. Its also important to note that systems of organization, when successful, should produce peaks, vortexes, and protrusions in repetition. The other half of this paragraph describes that moire follows strict mathematical rules and change in scale while mapping complex forms.

Flocks, Schools, Swarms, Crowds

The rules for flocks rely on local effects and elements for impact, and is thus a field condition. Flocks have behavioral patterns that are pretty fluid and often repeat similar shapes and movement creating rhythm and pattern. Crowds are different because they occur at different speeds and has four essential goals: to grow, to retain density, have a direction, and maintain equality. Composer Iannis Xenakis related the behavior and characteristics of crowds to sounds and acoustics. This led him to create a graphic representation of these sounds, which I see a strong relationship between his drawings and the diagrams that architects produce to help develop their schemes and ideas.

Distributed Institutions

Buildings like museums, libraries and concert halls have classical characteristics of stability and strength, and because of these elements can extend the structures longevity. The utility of these buildings can be changed over time and can adapt easily because of their fundamental commonalities in structure. However, thinking about the roles of each other these buildings in the context of politics, society and technology can strip away their original typology and meaning. The example the book uses is that of a library or museum. When you think of a library you think of order, knowledge, and as the book says, “certainty.” In today context, a library may seem outdated and obsolete because of how far we have come as a society with technology and media. If a structure is built with connected field conditions, it will have much stronger activity support that will in turn extend its longevity.