J_Krementz

From Object to Field

Field conditions defined through the physical sciences, move from singular to multiple, and refer to mathematical field theories, etc…, which is different from what it means in architecture. In architecture, field conditions refer to changes in areas such as art, and sculpting, etc… all falling under the shift in technologies being analog, to being digital. Essentially a field condition is a way to unify different parts into a whole, while maintaining the respective identities of each part. Field conditions also work in a bottom-up manner, and are defined by their intricate connections.

Geometric vs. Algebraic Combination

All of the elements of classical architecture are organized into geometric systems of proportion. Along with this, although primarily expressed numerically, ratios are fundamentally geometric. The elements of classical architecture not only dictates the proportions of singular elements, but also the relationship between those elements. In other words, parts come together to form a whole. In order to preserve unity, individual elements are kept in geometrical hierarchical order.

Thick 2D: Moires, Mats

Although all grids are fields, not all fields are considered grids, because of this the field has the potential to redefine the figure ground relationship. If we change our idea of the relationship between figure and field, we will soon begin to notice that these two are more closely related than we once thought. The study of field combinations are studies between figure and abstraction, and models that refigure the difference between figure and abstraction are either regular or repetitive. A moire is an effect which is produced when two fields are superposition, meaning that complex and irregular effects are due to the combination of repetitive and regular elements. These elements are helpful for finding stresses in large fields.

Flocks, Schools, Swarms, Crowds

In the late 80’s Carl Reynolds made a computer program, created to simulate birds flocking patterns. To simulate this, Reynolds used what he called “Boids,” to replicate birds in an actual environment. Programmed with only three rules, none of which stating to stay in flocks, the boids did in fact form flocks, meaning flocks are a field phenomena. Small and large flocks both demonstrate the same qualities. Crowds are somewhat different, in that they have more complex motives, and aren’t as predictable as flocks. Crowds also tend to want to grow and be dense.

Distributed Institutions

Throughout history we’ve seen the connection between structure such as libraries, museums, banks, etc… where they signify their status through their strong structures. In more recent times there has been an effort to reconfigure these traditionally heavy buildings into more lightweight structures. This push to change the appearance of these prominent structures in our community is the result of rethinking the original meaning of these structures in the first place.