Architectural Culture Research Articles

Demolition traditions: Isozaki and Sakaguchi

If ever an architect bit the hand that fed, it was the young Arata Isozaki, a mercurial and uncompromising architectural talent who would go on to secure establishment respectability with the Pritzker Prize of 2019. But he made his renown with designs and exhibitions exploring themes of death and destruction, not least his ‘Fractures’ pavilion for the 1996 Venice Biennale, which sought to stage the aftermath of the Kobe earthquake from a year earlier, while also being a leading proponent of a playful, almost saccharine postmodernism, with projects including the Team Disney HQ of 1991. Immersed in the leading currents of Japanese architecture from the 1960s onwards, his tendency to snipe at the motives of his collaborators was legendary. Commentators have tried to account for these professional shifts and antagonisms, his dour and contrarian thematic obsessions, as well as his critiques of architectural traditionalism and technological progressivism. Why did he conduct his professional life and art this way? The conclusion seems to be that he was a nihilistic maverick pushing at the outer limits of architectural culture and even taste.

The architect as civil servant: Aviah Hashimshoni’s architecture education and historiography in 1960s Israel

This article analyses two related events in 1960s Israeli architectural culture: first, the curricular revision at the Technion Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning under the deanship of Aviah Hashimshoni that promoted a comprehensive planning approach; and second, Hashimshoni’s 1963 essay ‘Architecture’, which is now regarded as the first history of Israeli architecture. I first show how these two instances synthesised the 1930s search for a national style and the regional planning approaches of the 1950s and 1960s. I then argue that this synthesis corresponded to the ways architects in Israel, and especially professors of architecture at the Technion, envisioned their profession’s civic service in the context of welfare-state ideology. They understood their service as articulating the state planning discourse, which viewed the region as a historical, cultural entity, and their profession as a neutral and implicit factor in establishing the architecture of this national-regional place. My analysis engages with scholarship on the political entanglement of architecture and state planning. As such, it contributes to the understanding of the ways in which, through this entanglement, Israeli design expertise and professional norms accommodated the combined knowledge of architects and urban planners.

Research on Traditional Architectural Shape and Spatial Art Characteristics of Dong Nationality in Guangxi Based on Computer Software

In Guangxi, there are still many ethnic minorities of the older generation who still adhere to the tradition of wearing their own ethnic architecture and silently inherit the ethnic culture carried by the ethnic architecture. However, the ethnic minorities of the “new generation” unconsciously want to “relay” and have no ability to interpret this “history book without characters”. Based on the contemporary computer software technology, protecting the architectural culture of Dong nationality in Guangxi, promoting the harmony of national spirit inheritance and aesthetic diversification, has far-reaching significance in the construction of a harmonious society.

Typological study of Oya stone buildings and townscapes: A case study of Nishine District, Tokujirou Town, Utsunomiya City

AbstractThe Japanese style of architecture has traditionally been centered on wood; however, stone from the surrounding regions has also been used as a construction material in some instances. In a volcanically active country like Japan, tuff originating from solidified volcanic ash, is quite common. The tuff, thanks to its low specific gravity and softness, is easier to process. Oya stone, a kind of tuff predominantly found in Utsunomiya City (Tochigi Prefecture, approximately 100 km north of Tokyo), has been utilized as a building material. In this study, the typology of stone buildings and townscapes in the Nishine District of Tokujirou Town is elucidated. Tokujira stone, which is similar to Oya stone, was quarried here earlier. First, 62 stone buildings at 22 sites in the district were identified, which were subsequently classified into eight types according to the construction method (such as piling stones, cladding stones, and foundation stones), as well as the use of the buildings (such as storehouses and residences). Second, the site composition was analyzed according to the building layout and its relationship with the primary highway. For this purpose, three characteristic townscape types were identified, which reflect the local architectural culture, materials, and technique.

RETRACTED: Exploration of the cultural symbols connotation of Dong Drum-Tower in Chinese tower building

By means of on-the-spot investigation and literature review, this paper combs the expression forms, historical and cultural origins of the two kinds of Tower Buildings: the Chinese style tower which represents the Han culture, the Dong Drum-Tower which represents the regional national culture, and analyse the evolution process of tower functions based on the principle of semiotics. As a kind of landscape type in garden environment, “tower” is not only the comprehensive product of politics, economy, culture and other factors in a specific era, but also the materialized form of social group spiritual civilization. Based on the Dong region, history, and cultural life, The researchers analyzes the architectural culture connotation of Drum-Tower in Dong village. We focus on the material and spiritual aspects of architecture and landscape characteristics, historical origins, religious characteristics, etc., and reveals the cultural symbol connotation of tower architecture in a specific landscape environment.

The ca. 1638 Waterman Site, Marshfield, Massachusetts: The Anatomy of a Pilgrim House

The excavation and reconstruction of the ca. 1638 Waterman site is providing the first comprehensive and detailed look at the architecture and household material culture of an early period Pilgrim house in Plymouth Colony. The small vernacular house was of earth-fast, post-in-ground, and palisaded-wall construction, and burned down in a catastrophic fire after only a short period of occupation. The archaeological features, artifact patterns, and historical documents are integrated with 17th-century anthropomorphic architectural metaphors to reconstruct the house’s architecture and the various domestic activities that occurred within and around the house, including foodways, expressions of gender roles, environmental adaptation, and English and Native American cultural exchange.

A Study on the Architectural Decoration System of Qiang Nationality Based on Symbolism Theory—A Case Study of Muka Qiang Village in Li County

As a nationality without written language, the Qiang nationality had developed up to now with its own architectural characteristics, national culture and religious belief, which is of great research value . Because the Qiang people are located in a relatively closed area, so far they had been able to retain the original architectural features and show their unique architectural features, especially the symbolic symbols with national characteristics in architectural decoration, which express some specific meanings in the Qiang people’s architecture. The current research on the architecture of Muka Qiang is lack of the symbolism analysis of its architecture. The architectural decoration system of the Muka Qiang village was analyzed based on the theory of symbolism. This paper mainly takes the Muka Qiang village in Li County as an example, analyzes the architectural decoration system of the Muka Qiang village based on the theory of symbolism, include belief and symbolism meanings, and explores its value, including the inheritance of architectural skills and culture, in for the diversified development of China’s architectural culture.

Twentieth-century research on the Alpine rural house between the epistemological issue and legitimizing narratives

Throughout the twentieth century, the gazes of observers from different disciplinary fields, ethnologists, geographers, architects have focused on the Alpine rural house. What do scholars seek within the theme of the house and the rural area? In Switzerland, the pioneering nineteenth-century studies were followed by research, starting from the 1870s, by the philologist Jakob Hunziker. In his analysis, he took into consideration not only exceptional constructions but also widespread building production. Buildings were detected and illustrated through diagrammatic “primarily planimetric” and photographic representations. However, the original data in Hunziker’s work is found above all in the correlation that is established between language and architecture. In this context, rural architecture is no longer a simple determinist adhesion to the natural and environmental context in which one lives but becomes a historically determined affirmation of a verified and mediated cultural model concerning the local datum. Alongside the readings of geographers and ethnologists, there is the chapter of the studies on the rural house conducted by architectural culture. The theme of rural architecture will represent a subject of dispute with often ideological overtones between proponents of modernity and those of traditionalism. Towards the mid-thirties, Pagano’s semantic translation represents the definitive shift, at least by the architects of the modernist front, from a mere question of a more complex theme, capable of considering the multiple aspects of building in the countryside, culminating in the exhibition Architettura rurale Italiana by Pagano and Daniel. The use of the category of functionalism when dealing with the farmer house allows to recognize rural architecture as a discipline and simultaneously allows it to function as a cultural background and a historical validation for rationalism.

The culture and inheritance of Huizhou architecture: taking the design practice of INK Weiping tourism cultural street as an example

This article uses the design analysis and insights of the Weiping Tourism Cultural Street, which the author participated in and practice to discuss how Huizhou culture can be protected and inherited in tourism cultural projects. Through the planning of the buildings of the project and the site planning of the surrounding environment, the formation of public spaces such as traditional streets, traditional theaters, as well as the influence of Huizhou culture on the space and architectural style and details of the building, the article interprets in detail the application of Huizhou architectural design and its traditional cultural connotations in cultural tourism development projects. At the same time, the article also discusses and summarizes the problems encountered in the protection and inheritance of Huizhou culture in the design and development process of the project, which has an enlightening effect on the better integration of the current practice of new Huizhou architecture with the current social and economic environment.

On the Landscape Composition of Traditional Village in Huizhou District–A Case Study in Qizili Village

The landscape features of traditional villages displayed in the Huizhou District were formed in a specific environment gradually. It was the result of the comprehensive effects of natural, historical, social, and cultural factors. This study took Qizili Village as an example and sorted out the composition and current situation of its natural landscape and human landscape. To refine the proper composition model of Qizili Village, we analyzed the landscape features from the perspectives of the natural environment, layout planning, traditional architecture, environmental elements, and traditional culture. Finally, we concluded the landscape connotation of Qizili Village.

The recent past and present of the protection of historical and cultural monuments in Uzbekistan

This article focuses on the protection of historical and architectural monuments in the recent past and present. As a result of comprehensive reforms in Uzbekistan, the attitude to national values and cultural heritage, the restoration of unique architectural monuments, historical monuments of religious and enlightenment significance, as well as, the analysis of the existing problems in the repair of historical monuments, the concepts created by the repairmen, the study of the concepts created by the repairmen, the great creative work carried out on the basis of modern urban planning principles and the architectural culture serves to raise the spiritual maturity of society. After gaining independence, attention is paid to the deep study of the history of our country, our people, its scientific study, restoration of ancient sources with impartiality, revealing the roots of the history of statehood, which has become one of the main issues of cultural and spiritual life.

Graph Database Modelling on Malay Architecture IFC Data

Architecture is the manifestation of society and its cultural practice. Preserving the architecture is an important thingthat must be done both physically and digitally. One of the architectural cultures that must be preserved is Malayarchitecture. A method to preserve Malay architecture is to model it in the form of a graph database. Graphdatabases have shown excellent capabilities in understanding and accessing complex and rich datasets in manydifferent domains. In this study, a graph database was modelled on the Malay architecture's Industry FoundationClasses (IFC) data. The methodologies used in this study were: (1) generate Malay architecture's IFC from Buildinginformation modelling (BIM) software; (2) Parse IFC; (3) IFC meta-data graph modelling; and (4) IFC object graphmodelling. The expected result of this research is a graph database modelling which will be developed further bydefining queries to solve problems of Malay architectural models.

Research on the Image Narrative Strategy Based on the Digital Vision — Thinking about the Creation of the Illustration Book “Yuxiang Yarn Factory”

With the transformation of media technology and social context in the new era, image provides auxiliary strategies for the diversified manifestations of culture in the process of communication. Traditional design drawings are increasingly unable to meet the new context requirements of modern architectural culture communication in terms of expression mode and acceptance by the public. As a new form of cultural dissemination or another way: digitization, imagery, narrative, and popular expression have begun to arouse discussion and thinking. With the help of digital technology as an expression of visual media, this paper tries to explore the potential of “image” as a medium to depict space, which brings about spatial situational experience and narrative expression. In addition, through montage and axonometric space operation, we explore the theory and practice in the narrative strategy of images, so as to build a bridge of communication between spatial experience of spatial consciousness and images. To be more precise, it emphasizes the connection between the image using digital technology as the medium and the spatial experience, and then uses the key of “imagine” to sort out the context of spatial awareness and emotional cognition.

Investigation and type analysis of traditional residential buildings in Qinghai section of "Silk Road"

This paper takes the traditional residential architecture culture of Qinghai section of the land Silk Road culture as the breakthrough point. A large number of historical materials and unearthed cultural relics show that Qinghai section is an important channel of the south line of the ancient Silk Road and an important part and key node of the silk road. However, in the long-term use of local residential buildings, due to the lack of reasonable protection, as the only physical carrier of research and construction technology, it is gradually disappearing around people. Based on the image data collection and cultural background search of the current situation and types of residential buildings along the Silk Road in Qinghai Province, the author summarizes, combs and researches the data of different types of buildings, focusing on the morphological characteristics of residential buildings in different regions and nationalities. Firstly, the author summarizes the natural and cultural environment along the line, and analyzes the distribution characteristics of residential buildings combined with the regional environment background; Secondly, according to the survey records, the paper combs the protection status of residential buildings and the influencing factors of residential buildings, aiming to put forward the thinking path for the later protection and inheritance of residential architectural culture; Finally, along the regional line, the paper explains the national ownership, material selection and architectural characteristics of the residential buildings in each natural area, and summarizes the influencing factors of the residential buildings in the three natural areas along the line, as well as the architectural characteristics of the main types of buildings, such as quadrangles, Zhuangkuo residential buildings, fence buildings, tents and yurts. The purpose of this paper is to supplement and improve the research results of the cultural system of traditional dwellings in Qinghai section of the silk road.

Sustainable Impact Region as an Introduction to Architectural Education Develpment A View and Practical (Study on Mansoura Department of Architectural Engineering Strategy)(Dept.A)

Although agreeing that developing architectural education is a must to suit future thinking in Egypt and the need to activate concepts that have become contemporary as Sustainability and Globalization. However, developing ways are still points of contention between different trends of architectural education and dealing with them as independent points that have their own architectural style and architectural culture. The research represents a neutral vision that studies how to achieve sustainabiliiy from two main axes: cultural privacy without detachment.:Region of educational impact in universities 2:communicating with modern architectural thoughts communication This research aims to:

Interpretation of Manchu Traditional Space Decoration in Inn Environment Design—Space Design of Sun Inn

In the space design of solar inn, we should grasp the aesthetic fatigue of modern touriststo the common commercial hotel and build a hotel with the theme of national culture. Through on-the-spot investigation of the architectural culture characteristics of the Manchu nationality in Northeast China, the characteristics of the architectural culture of the Manchu nationality in Northeast China are analyzed.The study of folk architecture inherits and develops under the background of the development of the new era, so that the national cultural architecture can be better innovated, especially in the area similar to the Manchu folk culture in northeast China.

Arquitetura moderna em Belém como objeto e documento de investigação

Neste artigo, expõem-se os resultados parciais da pesquisa em desenvolvimento sobre as transformações na cultura arquitetônica em Belém em sua fase moderna (1940-1980). O artigo estrutura-se em três seções: a primeira refere-se aos procedimentos teóricos e metodológicos adotados para a análise das obras; a segunda, aborda o campo profissional em que engenheiros e arquitetos produziram algumas das obras aqui enfocadas, com uma breve análise dos processos de transformação nos seus usos e em sua materialidade; e a terceira parte trata desses edifícios considerando desaparecimentos, invisibilidades, a urgência de sua proteção e da construção de sua memória histórica, entendendo-os no interior de uma estrutura socioeconômica e cultural, muitas vezes adversa às lógicas de sua valorização e salvaguarda. Evidenciam-se neste escrito os percursos adotados para registrar, analisar e divulgar essa arquitetura, em busca de seu (re)conhecimento como fonte da memória e história de Belém.

The Concept of Time in Soviet Neoclassicism (On the Example of Architectural Discourse)

The article discusses the process of switching temporal regimes in Soviet culture at the turn of the 1920s - and during the 1930s on the material of architecture. The concepts of time in constructivism and neoclassicism are compared since the struggle between them determined the main vectors of artistic development in the reconstruction period. The author analyzes the discourse of the official position in relation to the main trends in the development of architecture in the context of the periodization of socialist construction and elicits the reasons for supporting the reference to the classical heritage. The change of political agenda (the transition from dismantling the old order and the rectification of the consequences of the collapse of the social fabric as a way to build a new social order) set new requirements for architecture as the most important way of social representation. The new society - socialism - was interpreted in constructivism, which was the leading direction of 1920s architecture, in the modus of the future. In the neoclassicism of the 1930s, socialism was placed in the modus of the present. Constructivism was aimed at the pragmatics of restoring social fabric and solving current problems (mass housing, a new social infrastructure), as well as at constructing a future society and human. At the end of the first five-year plan, the authorities set other goals for culture in general and architecture in particular: the representation of achievements and the expression of the greatness of socialist construction. Neoclassicism was called upon to perpetuate the present state of affairs in the modus of real perfection and superiority of Soviet socialism over any other formats of social life. Between the time of creation (constructivism) and the time of completion (neoclassicism), there is formed a gap that must be hidden. As a way of hiding the temporal gap were chosen classical principles of form-making and examples of the Renaissance and Russian classicism, that were designed to convincingly demonstrate, on the one hand, the possibility of accelerating and compressing time, the swiftness of achieving the ideal, and on the other hand, tp depreciate innovations, make the idea of the movement of time into the future unnecessary. The theory of the leading neoclassicist I. Zholtovsky is discussed as an alternative to the utopian interpretation of time in constructivism, as materializing the mythological time, in which the source and end of creation are given simultaneously in the modus of eternity.

Site, programme, and tectonic expression: Hua Li’s Xinzhai Coffee House

In contemporary Chinese architectural culture, Hua Li’s work stands out as a phenomenon. His architecture demonstrates little in the way of formalistic eccentricities, cultural symbolism, or indeed the ‘Chineseness’ that some others seek to pursue. Instead, what interests the architect is, most of all, the quality of material, construction, space, and place [1].

A self-conscious architectural historiography: notes from (post)modern Portugal

This article examines the process by which the history of modern architecture in Portugal has crystallised into an easy-to-digest narrative: a linear, action-reaction plot in which a purportedly feeble modernism in the 1920s was succeeded by a conservative, politically driven anti-modern backlash in the following decade, and finally returned as a superficial and alienating postwar anachronism. The article suggests that architectural culture in Portugal in fact requires this narrative to celebrate its subsequent step, the reinvention and redemption of modernism by exponents such as Fernando Távora and Álvaro Siza Vieira, whose work was later brought to global recognition under the mantle of critical regionalism. The foundations of this origin story can be traced to the influential work of pioneer architecture critic Nuno Portas in the 1970s, which was thereafter perpetuated in historiography both at home and abroad. Nurtured by Portuguese architectural culture, the narrative of a thwarted modernism underpinned more recent arguments against postmodernism, clearing the ground for a neo-modernist (re)turn that still prevails today. The trope of an officially resisted modernism, a trauma in Portuguese architects’ collective conscience, was eventually instrumental in confining Portuguese works and designers to western historiographical categories, thereby flattening instances of variation and diversity that escape such neat plots.