Clark_Alexandra_222S20_1.1A
“A field condition could be any formal or spatial matrix capable of unifying diverse elements while respecting the identity of each… bottom-up phenomena… defined by intricate local connections (92)” Field conditions, as discussed in the excerpt, are characteristics of a cite or building that work together to create harmony. Field conditions connect a subject to its environment and sets the subject within its specific context. Field conditions consider the building’s programmatic uses and future inhabitants, making sense of a structure and all of the facets that impact a building’s design.
“‘Beauty is the consonance of the parts such that nothing can be added or taken away’(93)” Developing this idea, architecture, and a structure as a whole can be seen as greater than the sum of its parts. The various principles and themes, such as hierarchy, symmetry, and rhythm make a building unique. The ideas explored through the design process all add up to create a harmonious structure, from which nothing can be added or subtracted from the structure without disrupting the inherent harmony and fundamentally changing the design of a structure.
Art and design, as subjective fields, cannot be considered without considering historical precedents. As art has evolved, various movements lead to others, developing from or rejecting themes from the past, creating new ideas that had previously been unexplored within a certain context. Art reflects social, economic, and political events of the time it was created in, and should be considered within those contexts.
“One of the potentials of the field is to redefine the relation between figure and ground (97)” The relationship between a figure and its ground is often considered only in 2 dimensions, but, as we consider it in 3 dimensions, new facets and information can be gained. Various types of natural landscapes that we encounter every day cannot be considered in only 2 dimensions, so it is necessary to reconsider figure and ground when designing in 3D.
It is important to consider circulation when designing, accounting for crowd control and the unpredictable nature of human movement. Field conditions can help to adapt to quickly changing unpredictable situations. As more people enter a space, the program can change, shifting the dynamics of use of the structure, and underlining the importance of good circulation.