The Study of “Deconstructivism” in the Field of Architecture

Abstract

This paper aims to identify the application of the theory of “Deconstruction” to the architectural field. For that purpose, we make a comparative study through an investigation of the definition by the philosopher Jacques Derrida and the architect Bernard Tschumi. First, this study investigates the descriptions written by two curators, P. Johnson and M. Wigley, in the catalog of an exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York in order to clarify the definition of “De-constructivism”. Next, this research reveals what Jacques Derrida meant by “deconstruction” by investigating the descriptions written in the book “De la grammatologie” published in 1967. Furthermore, this research clarifies Bernard Tschumi’s architectural theory by investigating the descriptions written in his book “Architecture and Disjunction”, which was published in 1994. In addition, we clarify the influence of Derrida’s deconstruction theory on Tschumi’s building theory through a comparative study. Finally, we clarify the architectural theory that appears in his work by investigating the drawings that were designed by Tschumi in the “Parc de la Villette” project.