Architectural Culture Research Articles

Mapping the Discourse. Architecture Periodicals in/for the Teaching of Architecture History

The article reflects on the role of architectural journals as sources, instruments, methods and narrative devices for the teaching of architectural history, questioning their role of mediators with a multifaced network of milieux characterized by divergent positions, ideological agendas, and modes of interacting. Moving from the teaching seminar offered over the past six years to internationals students at Politecnico di Milano in the framework of the History and Theory course, the pedagogical project intersects the growing attention for the relations between architecture and media, and the current debate on the history of architecture as a transnational practice.A corpus of around fifty periodicals published in eighteen different countries was addressed as a “system of knowledge” and a “global printed network”, overcoming monographic and local-centered readings based on the history of isolated journals or linked to national editorial cultures and narratives. Journals were examined in their interrelations and interconnections through comparative and cross-cultural analyses, crossing diverse architectural geographies, to trace the international circulation of knowledge.Crossing two divergent research attitudes codified by architectural historians, who tended to look at magazines as structuring sources for writing history or, alternatively, as objects of inquiry over the past decades, journals are critically examined as complex objects, investigated in their economic, material, cultural, visual, and graphic dimensions. By dissecting the overall structure of each journal and scrutinizing their constituting elements - including undervalued parts, often considered at the peripheries of the discourse -, the multi-layered study of this printed network brings to the light the interconnections between a constellation of actors and agents involved in the production of knowledge. The analysis of the diverse agendas, rationalities, editorial strategies and networks between editors, owners, institutions, and the general audience allowed to question the very notion of milieu that the magazines contribute to create. On the one hand, the cross-reading of “journal biographies” and the study of the “anatomy” of diverse genres of magazines contribute to question canonical interpretations and timeframes of a 20th century architectural history still centered on the European and North American editorial scene, offering a more nuanced understanding of the times and forms of production of architectural culture. On the other hand, using a corpus of visual and less-conventional analytical tools and communicative forms revealed the potential of maps, timelines, and diagrams as promising and innovative narrative devices. These means could enrich the corpus of methods and instruments used in the pedagogy of architectural history, opening the discussion on the opportunities offered by innovative forms of contamination with procedures and tools of quantitative research and the technologies and methodologies of the digital humanities.

Principles and Practice of Investigating Buried Adobe Features with Ground-Penetrating Radar

Because so many ancestral populations, at various times, have lived within the constraints of earthen architectural technology, it has significant representation in building traditions across large temporal and geographic expanses. Adobe, known also as dagga, ferey, cob, and by other names, is a variant in which clays and other sediments are combined with organic materials and formulated into discrete construction components, often in communities of practice for which adobe recipes, preparation, and application are integral to daily intersections of home and community. For archaeologists, community partners, and interested publics who wish to learn more about it, a large portion of this architectural culture is no longer visible above the surface but is accessible through archaeology. Yet low impact sampling, such as probing and test excavation, rarely reveals adobe features. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) allows a tantalizing and non-invasive perspective on subsurface adobe features; increasingly there is a buried structural landscape emerging at sites where adobe architecture prevailed. The case studies presented here from 18th and 19th century sites in central and southern California serve as a guide for further survey.

Beyond Bauhaus: Modernism in Britain, 1933–1966

Beyond Bauhaus: Modernism in Britain, 1933–1966

Japan and the West: An Architectural Dialogue

Japan and the West: An Architectural Dialogue

Drawing on Architecture: The Object of Lines, 1970–1990

Drawing on Architecture: The Object of Lines, 1970–1990

Laughing at Architecture: Architectural Histories of Humour, Satire and Wit

Laughing at Architecture: Architectural Histories of Humour, Satire and Wit

Towards a Rural Revitalization Strategy for the Courtyard Layout of Vernacular Dwellings Based on Regional Adaptability and Outdoor Thermal Performance in the Gully Regions of the Loess Plateau, China

In the context of the Chinese rural revitalization strategy, the unique residential characteristics of local vernacular dwellings formed by profound historical and cultural accumulation, climate characteristics, and residential lifestyle have undergone profound change in the gully regions of the Loess Plateau. Accordingly, the contradictions of traditional vernacular dwelling protection, increasing living requirements, and ecological protection have intensified. In this paper, with the aim of optimizing courtyard layout for vernacular dwellings, the thermal performance and regional adaptability of different courtyard layouts were analyzed using Ladybug and Honeybee tools. According to the thermal simulation within the courtyard, the current optimal layout type was determined, and then, several ecological optimization designs were proposed for the further improvement of it. The results revealed that the improved vernacular dwelling model has better regional adaptability, which corresponds to the local living culture and living habits, saves land resources, and provides a better thermal comfort performance. This research not only has a positive function for the protection of local architectural culture, but also plays an essential role in improving residents’ living comfort and living standards. We hope that the research results are meaningful and can be used as a reference for future rural construction in the Loess Plateau.

Multiple Authorship: The Collaborative Production of Knowledge in the Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition (1965–2020)

This paper challenges the notion of the heroic genius as driver of invention and development in architectural culture. It considers the production of architectural ideas prior to design as an integral part of the production of architectural projects and takes the Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition (1965–2020), a yearly housing ideas competition from Japan, as a tangible case study for exploring notions of multiple authorship. The paper focuses on the editions of the competition judged by Toyo Ito, Rem Koolhaas, and Kazuyo Sejima–who respectively set the provocative themes of “Comfort in the Metropolis” (1988), “House with No Style” (1992), and “The Possibilities of Non- Movement” (1996)–to illustrate how this ideas competition functions as a fruitful dialogue between judge and contestants that produces architectural knowledge collaboratively. At the same time, by de-mystifying the genius of the single “star architect” judge, this paper aims to contribute to the ongoing quest to write a more inclusive global history of architecture that reveals voices hitherto silenced.

Understanding Aceh’s contemporary architecture: Neuheun Mandiri Housing, in the hills of Aceh Besar coastal village

This paper attempts to examine the uniqueness of architectural culture to show that through regionalism, Acehnese architecture can still be built by saving and adapting regional conceptions of culture and nature. In the design and construction of housing in Aceh today, the territorial approach is rarely considered due to the dominance of universal architectural trends that spread through globalization. The process of building the Neuheun Mandiri housing includes an astute attitude in dealing with the currents of modernity by reinterpreting the architecture of the past to be updated, and making modifications to suit the current environmental conditions. This paper aims to interpret the vernacular aspects of Aceh in the modernity of the housing development of Neuheun Mandiri in the hills of a coastal village, Aceh Besar, where the locality aspect is shown through the building mass pattern, traditional material approaches, and construction techniques.

Brutal beginnings: the New Brutalism and Western Australia in the 1950s

In June 1956, three recently graduated West Australian architects penned an editorial for the local institute chapter journal in which they outlined their own interpretation of the New Brutalism. Drawing on the recent writings of Alison and Peter Smithson, and Theo Crosby, the editorial framed New Brutalism as a practical ideology which offered an alternative to the conservative and stagnating profession that they saw around them. This article follows the dispersion of the New Brutalist message from its origins within a tight-knit group in London through to Western Australia. It examines the key influences and experiences of those travelling graduates which facilitated its dissemination through established imperial networks, and the influence that the term had on architectural culture in Perth. Drawing primarily on textual analysis and private archival material, the article examines a range of publications, buildings, and performances in Western Australia that were affected by the movement. Significantly, it reveals the existence of another New Brutalism — one that was adopted in the first instance as an ethical proposition which provided a group of young architects with the tools to both confront and engage with the realities of practice in the postwar period.

Adaptation of Western Modern Concepts in Modern Korean Architecture in the Early Twentieth Century: Through the Perspective of Science, Efficiency, and Hygiene

This research explores the characteristics of Korean early modern architecture in the early twentieth century. Modern Korean architecture experienced conflicts and continuities between tradition and modernity from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. To evaluate these various influences, this article considers Korean early modern architecture through the perspective of such modern concepts as “science,” “efficiency,” and “hygiene.” These modern concepts emerged first in the West before the nineteenth century, and they played significant roles in constructing a modern society in the West and the East. By investigating how these modern concepts were adopted in Korea in the early twentieth century, this research scrutinizes not only individual architects such as Park Gilryong and Park Dongjin but also newly constructed buildings such as kwansa (official residences of Japanese ministries) and sat’aek (company housing), especially during the Japanese colonial period. Furthermore, this research goes beyond Korean architecture to encompass regional and cultural differences. This research enables early modern Korean architecture to find its identity through the approach of social and cultural contexts, and by comparison with Western architectural culture.

The Domination of Cultural and Symbolic Capital in the Preservation of Temple Heritage Architecture through a Restoration Approach in Bali, Indonesia

Architecture plays an essential role in various aspects of life and becomes evidence in tracing the nation's history. Efforts to encourage the preservation of historical buildings, including preserving the architectural style of Balinese temples, have been carried out by many people. The traditions and local wisdom of traditional Balinese architecture inherited from the people in Bali can be used as cultural capital and symbolic capital for the development and preservation of traditional Balinese architecture. Restoration activities at the Temple of Guwang Village, Gianyar Bali, Indonesia aim to restore the building as closely as possible to its original form by prioritizing aspects of preservation so that the carving patterns, ornaments, and characteristics of traditional Balinese architecture in the temple still survive as evidence of civilization and historical developments. The exploratory qualitative method [24] was used in this study by triangulation of data collection, namely from documents, observations and in-depth interviews. This research method aims to analyze the dominance of cultural and symbolic capital in the restoration process carried out by the people of Guwang Village. The results of this study will undoubtedly enrich the vocabulary of researchers and readers in understanding the process of restoring the architectural heritage of temples in Bali, and in addition, to offer knowledge in the scientific area of architectural culture and to improve and add understanding, both for authors and readers.

Symmetries of the Beijing Heping Temple Complex

Three-dimensional laser scanning technology has been more mature, and its application fields are expanding. It is being used in key projects and important work such as ancient building recording, restoration and reconstruction. In this paper, the technology is applied to the 3D scanning, data splicing and model simplification of Heping temple building complex in Beijing. After innovative research on ancient architecture, it is found that the group layout, single form and local components of Heping temple building complex in Beijing show symmetry everywhere, vividly reflecting the extensive and profound ancient architectural culture and order. This points out a new direction for the development and application of 3D laser scanning technology and opens up a new path for the in-depth study of the protection of ancient buildings in China.

IT-Architecture Study Literature Research Collaboration: Malay Architecture Context

Talking about architecture culture means talking about buildings and architecture. Architecture is a field of research that is always related to space and form. One of the exciting research topics on architecture is research on Malay architecture. Preserving Malay architecture is an important thing that must be done physically and meaningfully, positively impacting the community's development. The rapid development of information technology (IT) should be part of conservation efforts. IT supports various activities that significantly help conservation efforts. The role of IT in architecture is a significant research opportunity because of still little research on this topic. Thus, we conduct a study and analysis using a systematic literature review methodology to review IT-Architecture research, especially Malay architecture. The systematic literature review methodology consists of six stages, namely: (1) research question definition; (2) literature searching by keywords on literature sources; (3) literature assessment; (4) literature quality measurement; (5) data extraction and synthesis; and (6) research recommendation and suggestion. After going through the quality assessment process, only 37 papers were obtained that were relevant to the topic of IT-Architecture. The most discussed research themes in this literature review search were: (1) building information modeling (BIM) and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR); (2) BIM and geographic information system (GIS); and (3) BIM application and technology. However, based on literature searches, IT, and Malay architecture are still insufficient. Therefore, the topic of IT and Malay architecture still needs to be studied further in the future.

Solar Architecture Integrated Bi-Facial Photovoltaic System as a Shade

Solar architecture is defined as a kind of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) in which the PV modules are deployed to passive solar concepts, to minimize the heating and cooling load, to upgrade the indoor environment, and to be adjustable for regional weather and to continuously succeed architectural culture. Solar architecture needs to consider the architectural culture and climate of the region through an ecological convergence. The ecological criteria lead to optimizing solar architecture through an ecological convergence of a passive intelligence and renewable energy system. The optimal angle of the bi-facial PV module as a shade is 23.5° considering the physical interaction and the traditional architecture in Korea according to the ecological criteria. The shading concept of the PV module reduces 27.5~34% of the building cooling load. Effective solar irradiance (ESR) is very important not only for PV efficiency but also for the system usage rate. This ESR should be controlled depending on the climate condition to maximize the total energy elimination factor and total energy transmittance factor for a window. The MB-BIPVS play an excellent role to maximize the total energy elimination factor and total energy transmittance factor for a window.

Travel à la Mode: Australian Architects and the Changing Nature of the International Tour

ABSTRACT For Australian architects of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the pull to centres of architectural culture was significant. Travel to further one’s architectural education and experience was out of reach for many Antipodean architects because of geographical distance and costs. For others, particular circumstances enabled a period of international travel, having a transformative effect on their subsequent architectural outputs and careers. Not all architectural travel is the same: it has different modes and outcomes, and can be instigated through means as diverse as a reward for years of practice to enlisting in military service. This paper examines the changing role of travel for Australian architects prior to the Second World War. Six distinct modes of travel emerge: the grand tour; the commercial enterprise; the roaming adventure; accidental tourismthat Kilburn took through the United States saw him directly influenced; educational imperative; and finally, as a rite of passage. While the impetus differed, all modes allowed architects to experience places and structures first-hand: to see architecture differently. This increasing role of travel in the careers of architects vastly truncated the distance between the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, and Australia, building educational and professional engagement and networks. These opportunities brought multi-valent benefit to individual architects, as well as new ideas that transformed Australian architecture.

Re-viewing the role of culture in architecture for sustainable development

Architecture is most often defined as the art and technique of creating space. The understanding and use of space in a society is the most important means that concretely reflects the cultural system and way of life, which is the sum of all the experiences, talents and values of that society. While the physical environment created by people in history is mostly shaped according to local values, the spaces designed by architects have been the scene of conflict among universal and regional values, especially after the Industrial Revolution, with the development of Modern Architecture. This study which evaluates the architectural approaches adopted after Modern Architecture, within the framework of economic, technological and socio-cultural developments in the world and discusses them with their reflections in Turkey, emphasizes the validity of striving for lasting values instead of fashions in architecture. In this context, the issue of culture and identity comes to the fore. Cities have their own unique appearance, physical structure and way of life, as well as a "spirit" that makes them distinctive. The characteristics of the city which make it different from the others constitute "urban identity". Especially in developing countries, many cities face the risk of losing their identity in the process of urban development, which consists of the expansion of the streets and the demolition of buildings that can actually be evaluated. The cultural and natural heritage that makes cities different is also the foundation of urban identity. These values are also a prerequisite for the sustainability of cities. Cultural heritage can be considered not only as a trace of the past, but as a wealth for the future of people. When properly managed, there are many opportunities to create a strong relationship between identity, culture and heritage. Since these opportunities vary in each settlement, different solutions need to be developed. However, it is important that different solutions are produced in a consistent and meaningful integrity, and not as independent initiatives of cities that share the same geography and culture in regional scale. In this process, it is necessary for central administrative bodies, local governments and civil society to work together for an effective and sustainable urban structure.

SURVEY, RECOVERY AND REGENERATION OF POST-MODERN ARCHITECTURE. THE BIM APPROACH IN THE CASE STUDY OF THE SPORTS HALL IN BASTIA UMBRA (ITALY)

Abstract. This study deals with the redevelopment of buildings built in the last decades of the Nineteenth century, with a style that can be defined "post-modern". In those years, communication became an architectural theme superimposed and abstract by functional and structural needs, with "architectural elements" abstract in a hyperbolic way with respect to the function. The result of an architectural culture, interesting for the research they narrate but incongruous with functional needs, also because of the materials used, the energy and architectural requirements impose a review to combine functional performance, in nZEB projection, and structural with the need for "venustas", what is "done well", the same facet of the same architectural rationale. The need to renew these spaces must take into account the qualities of forms that, with their material decay and in the peculiar language, may not bring out the centrality of preserving and compositional choices of the work.

RESEARCH ON THE DIGITAL RETENTION MECHANISM OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM ARCHITECTURE BASED ON UAV AND TLS: A CASE STUDY OF BAOGUANG HALL

Abstract. Tibetan Buddhist architecture embodies ancient Chinese architectural culture and religious culture. In the past, the information retention mechanisms for ancient buildings were implemented as photos, tracings, and rubbings, which cannot fundamentally document the authenticity of architectural heritage. To explore the digital retention method for the unique style of Han Tibetan architecture，this research that based on the idea of reverse documentation first collects point cloud data with the technical support of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and then uses registration method to obtain the integral of the point cloud model of Baoguang Hall. This paper explores the possibility of extracting 2D and 3D information, such as architectural plans, facades, decorative components, and models of the temple architecture, by processing point cloud data. Finally, this study proves the feasibility of using digital technology for the preservation and protection of architectural heritage.

Architectural Contact Zones: Another Way to Write Global Histories of the Post-War Period?

This position paper addresses the ways that we historicise architectural modernism, especially within the context of the unprecedented global movements of people, ideas, materials and labour that characterised the post-war period. It suggests an alternative theoretical framing and corresponding historiography of global modernism, based on the concept of cross-cultural “contact zones.” A notion first coined by literature scholar Mary Louise Pratt in the context of colonial studies, architectural contact zones—competitions, exhibitions, congresses, biennales, summer schools—offer the possibility to rethink what innovation in architecture culture entails. Rather than underscoring the originality of the single genius-architect, contact zones offer a conception of architectural development that is based on a more global and multidirectional exchange of knowledge. Scrutinising the mechanisms behind architectural contact zones can result in a reframing of the history of architectural modernism as a cross-cultural, multi-authored and poly-conceptual matter.