Contemporary Architectural Practice Research Articles

Computational Design with Kurtboğaz: The Generation of Timber Structures with an Aggregative Design Algorithm

This paper investigates the form-finding capacity of the traditional timber-joint construction method, Kurtboğaz, aiming to explore new architectural forms and possibilities through computational design techniques to preserve vernacular construction methods and integrate them into contemporary architecture. It presents an Aggregative Design Algorithm (ADA) that creates different structures based on designer rules and simple assembly rules of Kurtboğaz, leading to unique emergent forms through random rule application. The paper also explores how reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning, can improve this design process through a theoretical framework. The study tries to use a rule-based generative algorithm to explore the modular and reconfigurable characteristics of the Kurtboğaz. The ADA enables random rule application, leading to diverse forms. However, several challenges may be encountered during the application of ADA because of its random aggregation, such as collision avoidance, structural integrity, boundary detection, and the optimization of structural parameters. The study suggests using Reinforcement Learning (RL) in the ADA framework to address these problems. Incorporating RL is anticipated to enable the algorithm to adaptively learn and optimize the form-finding process, enhancing the performance and applicability of the Kurtboğaz method in contemporary architectural practice. In the future, with this generative process described by the study, designs that create spatial differences with the help of walls, floors, and rooms on a human scale can be realized. The study also plans to explore the synergy between craftsmanship and digital fabrication in the future

To draw or not to draw? Evaluating the impact of computer-aided drawing tools on productivity in architectural design

This empirical study investigates the architectural design process, focusing on the influence of computer-aided drawing (CAD) tools during the initial design stages. Given the increasing reliance on CAD tools in contemporary architectural practice, the primary objective is to assess quantitatively how CAD tool adoption affects design productivity. The research was conducted in two phases, utilizing the protocol analysis method. In the first phase, we introduced a novel approach by having third-year architecture students complete two design assignments: the first using traditional freehand sketches and the second employing CAD tools. This unique method allowed us to capture their design actions and thoughts using the Concurrent verbalization technique. In the second phase, a meticulous comparison of the two sets of design protocols was undertaken. The analysis yielded surprising and counterintuitive results. Contrary to common beliefs, the use of CAD tools during early design phases can lead to unintended outcomes. Despite their digital precision and convenience, these tools may inadvertently impede cognitive productivity. Designers employing CAD tools showed signs of hesitation and indecision, resulting in prolonged design timelines and diminished ideational productivity. These findings have profound implications for architectural education and practice. They underscore the necessity for a balanced approach to integrating CAD tools into design processes. Educators and professionals must carefully consider the potential impact of these tools on the creative process, prompting a reassessment of their role in architectural design curricula and workflows. Future research holds great promise in exploring strategies to optimize CAD tool usage to mitigate their disruptive effects on early-stage architectural design. Additionally, investigating the role of training and interface design in enhancing the synergy between designers and digital tools offers exciting and fruitful research directions. In summary, this study highlights the complex relationship between CAD tools and cognitive productivity in architectural design, prompting a reexamination of their role in shaping the design landscape.

Placement Principles of Islamic Calligraphy in Architecture: Insights from the Al-Hambra and Al-Azem Palaces

This paper addresses a critical gap in the study of Islamic architecture by exploring the interconnected relationship between Arabic calligraphy and architectural design. Specifically, it examines the principles guiding the placement of Islamic calligraphy within the interior and exterior spaces of Islamic public buildings through a qualitative analysis of two notable case studies, the Al-Hambra Palace in Granada, Spain, and the Al-Azem Palace in Hama, Syria. This research elucidates fundamental principles that underpin the integration of calligraphy in Islamic architectural contexts. To enhance the robustness of the findings, interviews were conducted with three expert master calligraphers, providing skillful insights that enrich the understanding of calligraphy placement. This study reveals significant implications for the decoration of walls and ceilings in Islamic buildings. However, the findings are limited by the scope of the case studies and the subjective interpretations of the interviewed experts. This research contributes valuable knowledge to the field, informing contemporary architectural practices and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Preserving Cultural Identity in Historic Cities: Exploring the Intersection of Tradition and Development in Varanasi, India

Historic cities are invaluable collections of cultural heritage, embodying centuries of history, tradition, and identity.Varanasi, known as India's oldest city, has a rich history and architectural style that combines Hindu, Islamic, and Mughalinfluences. Its core consists of ancient temples, ghats, and traditional houses. However, the quick speed of expansion andurbanization has raised worries about preservation of its cultural identity, posing a delicate balance between historicityand demands of modernization and expansion. This paper looks at the complex interplay of cultural identity, tradition, andchange in the architectural environment of historic cities, with a particular emphasis on Varanasi. The study investigatesthe impact of urban development on the city’s cultural fabric. The paper will investigate both historical and contemporaryarchitectural practices, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that exist at this intersection. The paperhighlights the necessity of creating a balance between cultural identity and urban development.

STABILZED RAMMED EARTH- A REVIEW

Rammed earth construction has gained prominence as a sustainable building technique due to its eco-friendly nature and aesthetic appeal. However, ensuring the long-term durability of rammed earth structures remains a critical challenge. This paper investigates the efficacy of incorporating stabilizers, including cement, bagasse ash, and glass fibers, to address these concerns and enhance the performance of rammed earth structures. Drawing upon extensive research and experimentation, the paper examines the impact of stabilizers on material composition, structural integrity, and long-term durability. Through comparative analysis and empirical studies, the effectiveness of various stabilizers in improving compressive strength and resistance to weathering is evaluated. The role of cement as a traditional stabilizer is scrutinized, alongside emerging alternatives such as bagasse ash, a byproduct of sugarcane processing, and innovative additives like glass fibers. Furthermore, the paper investigates the influence of stabilizer incorporation on construction practices and life cycle considerations. Key factors such as cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and compatibility with traditional rammed earth methods are analyzed to provide comprehensive guidance for practitioners and researchers. The findings highlight promising avenues for enhancing the durability and compressive strength of rammed earth structures through stabilizer utilization. Practical recommendations are offered for implementing these strategies in real-world construction projects, emphasizing the potential for innovation and sustainability in contemporary architectural practice. Keywords: · Stabilized Rammed Earth · Un-Stabilized Rammed Earth

Hybrid origami-linkage vaulted deployable structures: parametric development and form-finding

AbstractThe demand for adaptable structures is steadily increasing in contemporary architectural practice. Deployable structures, characterized by their flexibility and versatility, offer innovative solutions across demanding engineering and architectural contexts. Among the various types of deployable structures, two main categories emerge: lattice deployable structures and continuous surface deployable structures. This paper explores the creation of hybrid deployable vaulted structures by incorporating kinetic elements from both deployable structure categories. A combination of rigid thick origami surfaces and retractable structural frames composed of four-bar and scissor-hinged linkages is examined, while both direct and inverse design methodologies are explored. To facilitate the parameterization and kinematic study of the proposed structures, an algorithm is developed within the Rhino Grasshopper visual programming environment, which is then utilized for form-finding and design optimization of the generated deployable vaults. The present study aims to contribute to the evolution of lightweight, kinetic elements for versatile architectural applications. The proposed hybrid deployable structures are designed to adjust to evolving spatial and functional requirements while maintaining structural integrity.

Rethinking project boundaries in architectural practice: attempts at ‘giving back’ in recent work by LMN Architects

ABSTRACT Project boundaries force architects to work with resources that are insufficient to meet all possible interests, raising questions of distributive justice. In settler colonial contexts, these mingle with questions of restorative justice, prompted by demands to repatriate Indigenous land and life. To foreground how questions of justice arise and are engaged with in contemporary architectural practice, I explore recent work by LMN Architects, an interdisciplinary studio active in complex scenarios with many different interests. LMN is based in Seattle, an area Native Americans inhabited long before the first European settlers. Focusing on two projects in the area – the Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal and the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion – I analyse how LMN seeks ways to involve the Coast Salish tribal communities: from programming and design; over siting, spatial organisation, and integration of public art; to material selection, sourcing, and beyond. This analysis allows understanding the studio’s attempts at ‘giving back’ in relation to their ambition to leverage a project’s opportunities beyond the boundaries of its site. Throughout their work, LMN adopts expansive notions of who is affected – by extending whose interests to meet – and what resources to distribute – by reconsidering who is invited to contribute and how invitees may benefit from that contribution.

Research on the Integration of Chinese Traditional Architectural Elements in Modern Architectural Design under Digital Technology Support

Abstract This study seeks to enhance the integration of traditional Chinese cultural and artistic elements into contemporary architectural design, providing a rich source of inspiration. This paper investigates the connections between modern architectural symbols and traditional Chinese architectural and cultural elements. It identifies key characteristics of traditional architectural elements and proposes the integration of superficial structural features into contemporary designs, focusing on architectural space, form, and color. Utilizing Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, this research designs a program that merges traditional Chinese elements with contemporary architectural practices. A specific test site was selected to implement this design. The study conducts a quantitative analysis of the space, form, and color characteristics extracted from the test site. The results indicate an overall symbolic value of the test building at 7.566. The analysis identifies the “stone lion” as an element with a high degree of alignment with traditional Chinese architectural elements, with nearly 50% of the participants rating its compatibility as 4 or above. Further quantitative analysis of the integration of color elements reveals that the color scale of the building’s main body predominantly ranges from 0 to 65, with a brightness level of 25 to 65, aligning with the aesthetic principles of traditional Chinese architecture.

Analyze of Japanese Culture in Contemporary Architectural Practice

How to deconstruct traditional culture and use it in contemporary practices has become one of the key problems in modern architecture, as modernism proved its failure in including human lifestyle in the building, and lack of consideration of how local culture portrays people and whether it should be included in design. regions with rich traditional cultures face modern urban development and architectural revolution. This paper focuses on how local Japanese architect has deconstructed traditional culture and used it in their contemporary architectural practice, by analyzing works and interviews from Ando Tadao and Kuma Kengo with their different approach in their architectural practice through philosophical and visual deconstruction of Japanese culture. This paper has concluded some key aspect in the field of using traditional Japanese element in modern architecture reviewed how their approaches has been viewed and commented on, and provided some paths that could be used in future architects when comes to projects that include some aspect of traditional local culture.

On Dreaming Realities

This essay delves into the installation designed by Hans Hollein for the Künstlerhaus facade in Vienna in 1985. It serves as an illustrative case of material speculation in architecture, particularly regarding the incorporation of ‘historical’ elements in contemporary architectural practice. Through a close reading of this installation, realized in the context of the exhibition ‘Traum und Wirklichkeit, Wien 1870-1930’ (Dream and Reality, Vienna 1870-1930), I discuss how such speculation entails the physical replication of carefully chosen ‘historical’ forms and their reassembly in what would be best described as a ‘fragmentary whole.’ However, the reintegration of historical fragments into the present can manifest in diverse ways. I argue that in the installation that reshaped the facade of the Künstlerhaus, Hollein explored two contrasting modes while tracing the possibilities (and pitfalls) of their synthesis.

Sustainability of traditional building practices in Nigeria: The case of Igala traditional architecture

Nigeria's diverse ethnic landscape is marked by distinct traditional building practices, each representing a unique cultural identity. This study delves into the architectural heritage of the Igala people of North Central Nigeria, shedding light on their sustainable building practice. Despite its profound cultural and historical significance, the Igala traditional architecture, like many others in Nigeria, faces challenges due to modernization. This trend is pervasive across Nigeria, where contemporary buildings often disregard indigenous socio-cultural, environmental, and climatic considerations in their design and construction. Consequently, modern buildings in Nigeria tend to be costly and incompatible with the local culture, environment and climate. This study explores the imperatives and values of Igala traditional housing pattern, aiming to enhance the sustainability of contemporary building practices in Nigeria. Employing a narrative approach, the study utilized archival/historical research, field surveys, and interviews with local building professionals, indigenous elders, and environmental experts to explore the Igala traditional building practice. Thematic content and descriptive analysis were used to interpret the gathered data. The study revealed intrinsic features of Igala traditional housing pattern, including the courtyard system, hierarchical spatial arrangement, organic expansion, food storage facilities and the integration of socio-economic and socio-cultural spaces. These features exemplify sustainability through values such as security, privacy, communal living, cultural identity, energy efficiency, resource efficiency, passive solar techniques and environmental conservation. The research emphasized the critical importance of these identified features and values, not only for preserving cultural heritage but also for guiding sustainable contemporary architectural practices in Nigeria.

Contemporary mountain architecture in Serbia

Although Serbia does not have significantly high mountains, it does have vast mountainous areas south of the Danube River. Since most rural mountain houses in Serbia have disappeared over the last three decades, traditional mountain building is reduced to sporadic reconstructions, mostly for open-air museums and ethnic parks. Contemporary mountain architecture in Serbia is developing under the same overall influences of the rest of the country. These influences, among others, are the primacy of market demands, non-systematic planning, and lack of investment in raising the level of spatial culture among the general public. Fortunately, some examples illustrate the willingness of architects to push the contemporary Serbian architectural practice forward and the willingness of investors to consider a wide range of influences and aspects that generate a comprehensive response to contemporary demands and concerns. The selected projects presented in this article show different responses in relation to the context, environment, heritage, and ideas of contemporary life in rural and natural areas. Most of these examples follow a more experimental approach. This usually stems from links to regionalism and modernism. Despite expectations, Serbia cannot join the most progressive European currents or fully adopt the vision of individual high-quality national architectural agents overnight. However, the Serbian architecture scene will be increasingly present in the media, also as a result of international connections and circumstances that had somehow ‘matured’.

Intertextuality in Contemporary Architectural Practice: Citation, Analogy, and the Fabrication of Referentiality in the Hypertextual Environment

The contemporary cultural context is shaped by hyperlinks as a tool for establishing references that form our interpretations of notions, concepts, and phenomena into a cohesive narrative. This paper aims to examine the practice of visual citing in the architectural discipline as a methodology that takes the principle of intertextuality from the discourse of literary art and introduces it into the design process. Furthermore, the work intends to conceptualize a framework of stylistic functions that references serve in the design process relative to aesthetic qualities valued within different cultural and social conditions. Concerning examples of the analogical method in postmodern stylistic expression, the paper tries to translate the principles inherently found in the architectural discipline into the context of contemporary practice. In the process, the question of anonymous reference sources is posed due to the lack of a unifying method for their notation. Finally, by comparing the notions of hypertext and intertext, the intention is to understand the semiological relations established between the works of independent authors and the causes of the disparity between references used in the design process and those subsequently created.

ČITANjE INTERDISCIPLINARNIH TRANSGRESIJA DINAMIČKIH POJMOVA I ZNAČENjA U ARHITEKTONSKOM DISKURSU – FENOMEN FLUIDNOSTI

Positioning the architectural discourse in the context of language and culture, this paper presents the research of interdisciplinary transgressions of dynamic terms and meanings which change the comprehension, reflection and creation of architecture. The main topic of the research is the phenomenon of fluidity in architecture, which is analysed through the interdisciplinary framework of terminology and conceptual aspects in the theories through which it is manifested (in the border fields of architecture - culture, art, philosophy and aes- thetics), in the historical, chronological development of architectural thought from the 17th to the 20th century, as well as in the contemporary architectural theory and practice. The phe- nomenon of fluidity is also methodologically viewed as a case study for the presentation of an authentic research model that connects the theory and practice of architecture. Accordingly, such connection is manifested through the analysis, synthesis and systematization of con- cepts, meanings, aspects and spatial manifestations, through which architecture is read as a text of culture and the perception of the key points of change in architectural thought and creativity. The methodological model of the research consists of four main parts: 1. reading, 2. understanding, 3. thinking and 4. creating. Starting from the recognition of aspects of flu- idity in the contemporary context (1), the historical course of the interdisciplinary, chrono- logical development of the subject phenomenon is analysed (2), followed by the analysis of the embodiment of its meanings in the architectural space (3), and at the end the principles and procedures through which it could be expressed in contemporary architectural practice are systematized (4). The results of the research and the main theoretical and practical contri- butions are represented in the glossary of fluidity in architecture, which systematizes possible translations of terms into spatial aspects and dynamic qualities of architectural space. In this way, the connection between the terminology, which manifests the phenomenon of fluidity in the theoretical discourse of architecture and architectural creation, with which fluidity is practically operationalized, is demonstrated.

Mualla Eyüboğlu’s Work in Village Institutes: A Hands-On Approach to National Architecture in 1940s Turkey

Turkish architect Mualla Eyüboğlu’s career started at the Village Institutes, which were established in the early Republican period (1923–present) to meet Anatolian villages’ needs for modern educational development through hands-on training. As the head and instructor of the Construction Section in the Hasanoğlan Village Institute in 1942, Eyüboğlu worked all over Anatolia, thereby taking part in the construction of modern Turkey. Eyüboğlu’s role as a tutor, designer, and construction supervisor at these Village Institutes was closely linked to broader discussions of national architecture. Since records on this period’s construction processes are rare, this article considers Eyüboğlu’s pedagogical practice, vernacular approach, and criticism of national architecture in the 1940s through the use of Eyüboğlu’s diaries, professional and personal notes, and original drawings from her personal archive. We argue that, despite her position within the Turkish architectural intelligentsia, Eyüboğlu’s experiences with the difficult realities of rural sites led her to question formal training. She did this through her criticism of contemporary architectural and construction practices, which she felt were detached from the concerns and conditions of the villages. Through a hands-on approach to the construction of the Village Institutes, Eyüboğlu believed that national architecture could embrace the needs of people within their geographical and social contexts, as well as regional technological possibilities.

Architecture of Post-Soviet Kazakhstan: Key Stylistic References in Public Facilities

The paper is devoted to the question of stylistic directions in the development of architecture in post-Soviet Kazakhstan. The construction boom that marked the great restructuring of the entire cultural paradigm of the country after the collapse of the Soviet empire is expressed in the stylistic diversity of architecture of the present time. The article notes that at the foundation for the context of the current urbanization of the steppe region lies a reimagining of both Kazakhstan's own cultural heritage and all architectural currents of the 20th and 21st centuries. The study identifies the most popular stylistic references in the artistic and visual architectural solutions in the country's major cities. Particular attention is paid to the balance between neoclassicism, modernism, and postmodernism in the characteristic of the general field of transformations of the urban environment. The role of new technologies in the development of modern architectural plasticity and the overall artistic language of architecture in present-day Kazakhstan is analyzed. It is argued that all its apparent diversity comes as a result of the influence of contemporary global architectural practice.

Revealing the Place: Sacred Architecture along the Portuguese Coastline

Revealing the place addresses the referential role of sacred architecture elements that dot the Portuguese Atlantic coastline in contemporary architectural pedagogy and in the practice of architecture. The long Portuguese coastline, the case study of the research, is dotted with sacred architectural elements—sanctuaries, churches, chapels and crosses—oriented according to both compositional and canonical cosmological principles. The character of the space of articulation between the land and the sea is made evident by the tension between the sacred elements and the landscape. This paper addresses this relation, resorting to decomposition interpretative drawings and arguments that uncover the formal relationships between sacred architecture and the landscape, proposing an interpretative reading of the built elements that combines type and place. Furthermore, it discusses the transposition of composition principles from sacred to secular architecture, building an analogy for the typological transfer process, considering the transference of existing qualities in sacred architecture for contemporary architectural projects. The hypothesis discussed is that the decoding of the architectural composition of sacred elements in the landscape remains useful both in the pedagogy and practice of architecture. Finally, it is evidenced that this exercise allows us to transfer formal relations established between sacred buildings and the landscape for contemporary architectural practice, revealing type and topos.

Review: Louis Kahn: The Importance of Drawing and Our Days Are Like Full Years: A Memoir with Letters from Louis Kahn

Review: <i>Louis Kahn: The Importance of Drawing</i> and <i>Our Days Are Like Full Years: A Memoir with Letters from Louis Kahn</i>

Illuminating Transparency in Digital Historical Visualizations: Notre-Dame of Paris, St Stephen’s of Westminster, and Visualizing Venice

Illuminating Transparency in Digital Historical Visualizations: Notre-Dame of Paris, St Stephen’s of Westminster, and Visualizing Venice

An examination of people’s preferences for buildings and streetscapes in New Zealand

ABSTRACT The appearance of the built environment is an important matter for most people, as it can affect their physical, financial and psychological wellbeing. Many studies have been conducted to understand people’s visual preferences for buildings and streetscapes and the majority have used photographic or video representations to stimulate responses. Few have asked people for their preferences as they walk along the street. This research addresses that gap in knowledge, utilising a mixed methods research methodology. People were invited to indicate their preferences while walking along three streets in New Zealand cities. The survey responses were supplemented by two focus group discussions. This research found that people prefer streetscapes where differences in height and architectural composition vary within a narrow band of difference along the length of the street. At the scale of the individual building façade, people were found to prefer traditional cladding materials such as brick and those that could be painted or refinished. Compositionally, people preferred buildings with discrete window openings, a finding that was strongly supported by a dislike for horizontally banded façade treatments. The findings invite questions around contemporary architectural design practices and how these can be directed toward creating a better liked built environment.