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“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
ARCH 11019: Design, Value and Architecture
Session 2011-‐2012 Semester 1
Coursework 2:
‘How Important Is Context In Contemporary
Architectural Design’
Prepared by:
Mohd Firrdhaus Mohd Sahabuddin (S1131077)
MSc. Advanced Sustainable Design
The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)
2011
1
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
Introduction
Contemporary architecture is a range of style of architecture appropriate to
the current time period. It is an evolution of modern architecture that connects
the internal space and external contexts, which are optimized for current use.
Some opinions (as stated below) reflect contemporary architecture is anti-‐
vernacular, comfortable with new materials and are not influenced by the
traditions and typography.
‘Contemporary Architects' suggests a position that is anti-‐vernacular, comfortable
with new materials and non-‐local materials & forms, using architectural language
that is contemporary, in example not generally steeped in past typographies or
traditions.”1
Context is external elements that influence an object. These elements are
physical and non-‐physical. Roads, buildings, and land contour are examples for
physical elements while non-‐physical elements are weather condition, local
culture, as well as political and economic constraints.
‘Master planning starts with an assessment of the ecology of the site and its
context; we need to know what is there before we can insert anything new.”2
Thus the contexts are influencing contemporary architecture design. Design for a
house in four seasons’ countries for example is different than the design in
tropical countries. Understand the local contexts are important for designers to
produce a good building design.
The context determines the architectural style, building material selection and
site layout, which is very important in creating an effective design. All these
promote continuity between the building and local circumstances.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Adrian, W. & Isabelle, L., 2011, Contemporary Architects, viewed 12 December 2011,
<http://www.e-‐architect.co.uk/>
2. Ken, Y., 2009. Ken Yeang Eco Master Planning, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, p.16.
2
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
The Importance of Climatic Context
The climatic context plays the important role in design. Ken Yeang explained
climate context as “understanding the site ecological history gives further clues as
to what design strategies should be adopted”. 3 There are three basic climate
groups, low-‐latitude climates, medium-‐latitude climates and high-‐latitude
climates. Each of the climates has its own features; with the architecture
strategies should also be appropriate in the circumstances.
Figure 2: The different design approach of a modern igloo house in Alaska and a
contemporary tropical house in Singapore. 4
Designers need to design buildings that meet the criteria of local climate such as
building orientation, types of material used, and also size and type of openings.
For example, a house with large window openings in low latitude climate will use
electrical energy for air-‐conditioning to cool the building. The other problem will
arise such as over use of electrical power that consumes more maintenance
budget.
“Because of lacking attention to the climatic design and depending merely on
artificial cooling and heating systems, the buildings are very hot in summer and are
so cold in winter and in result they are quietly uncomfortable.”5
Unfortunately, the improvement of the technology and inventions in mechanical
engineering system make designers so depending on artificial heating and
cooling.6
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Ken, Y., 2009. Ken Yeang Eco Master Planning, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, p.16.
4. Cubeme, n.d., Architecture, viewed 6 December, 2011, <http://cubeme.com/blog/>.
5 & 6. Nasim, I. & Elahe, B., 2009. Climatic design and low carbon city. ISOCARP Congress, pp.1-‐6.
3
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
Figure 3: The old house and new contemporary house design in Iran.7
“Wind catchers have been served as a cooling system, used to provide acceptable
ventilation by means of renewable energy of wind.”8
Iran has a variable climate that generally hot, dry and cold at different parts of
the country. Therefore, the wind towers or wind catchers are considered as a
part of building form. It plays a role as a modifying mechanism to adjust heat and
wind flow into the interior spaces and make the spaces comfort naturally.9
Therefore, the new contemporary design of Iran Architecture has to integrated
with wind tower system. The climatic context is so important in Iran because of
its geological location. As a comparison, below is an Iranian contemporary house
that adopted the concept of traditional wind tower.
Figure 4: The new contemporary wind tower design in Iran.10
The understanding to the local’s climatic context is the most important strategy
in contemporary architecture otherwise the building would be less comfort.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Green Solutions Magazine, 2011, Gym with wind towers, viewed 6 December, 2011,
<http://www.greensolutionsmag.com/>
8 & 9. Mahnaz Mahmoudi, Z., 2009. Analysis on Iranian Wind Catcher and Its Effect on Natural Ventilation as
a Solution towards Sustainable Architeture. Qazvin Islamic Azad University.
10. Cubeme, n.d., Architecture, viewed 6 December, 2011, <http://cubeme.com/blog/>.
4
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
The Importance of Economical and Political Context
The economical context is related to the condition or situation of a country’s
economy. Through these few decades, recession has given a big impact to slow
down the buildings construction and development. It has also given the
psychological impact to all practitioners in construction industry.11
“Economic consideration were always important in modern architecture, but aside
from a few, exceptional clients, the trend today is not only toward ‘cost-‐effective’
buildings, but also toward structures which are not aesthetically challenging.”12
Every country in the world does not have the same economic viability. This
difference makes the practice of contemporary architecture is different from
place to place. Therefore, this context makes the architecture style is geared
towards the simple and clean facade elements.
One of the design methods that exist due to the economic context is cost-‐effective
construction method. Thus, the emergence of new methods such as prefabricated
components and module systems have greatly utilized in architectural design
today.
This method was introduced to reduce labour costs and speed up the
construction period. It also can provide best value for money and client’s
satisfaction.
“Prefab homes are becoming popular in Europe, Canada and United States as they
are relativity cheap when compared to many existing homes on the market.” 13
Prefabricated system makes construction costs cheaper with a better quality as
well as environmental friendly. So, the economical context is also influencing the
contemporary architecture design.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11 & 12. Philip, J., 1996. Contemporary American Architects : Volume II, Italy: Taschen, p.6.
13. Wikipedia, 2011, Prefabricated Home, viewed 7 December, 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/>
5
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
Figure 6: Prefabricated Trojan House Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows.14
In addition, political influence affects the character of a building as well. As
stated by Philip Jodidio in his compilation book, Contemporary American
Architects: Volume 2; “Fortunately, the private entrepreneurial spirit which made
for much of the success of United States still exists, and many of the buildings
published in this book were built thanks not only to the talent of the architects, but
also thanks to the open minds and spirits of the clients.”
From the statement above, the political influence proved vital in the success of
the contemporary architecture and creativity of the architects to realize a
building that meets the client requirements.
Politics also plays a large role in determining the direction of contemporary
architecture. For example in Malaysia, the government has made a policy that all
government buildings must use the methods of industrialized building system to
reduce the dependency on foreign workers. Recently, the concept of
sustainability was introduced to reduce the amount of electricity and water bills
in government buildings.
As it happened in Switzerland, the minaret that traditionally constructed apart
with the Muslim religious buildings is prohibited due to local’s public protests
and referendum.15
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Zinmag Chronicle, n.d., House Design, viewed 7 December, 2011, <http://www.homemagz.com/>
15. Wikipedia, 2011, Minaret Controversy in Switzerland, viewed 7 December, 2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/>
6
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
The Importance of Computational & Technological Context
The latest technology here is not about construction methods but also current
technology in building design process. The design methods have become more
attractive with the creation of computer software that helps speed up the design
process and simulation.
“Another significant element of change which has already begun to substantially
alter the built environment is the generalization of the use of computer assisted
design.”16
It assists architects to understand and explore new design in architecture. Assists
to create and construct new forms and also gives a new dimension and
exploration to the designers. The software innovation happens when
contemporary architecture is also becoming popular. Thus the development of
this style of architecture has been more productive as well as many
contemporary architects appear all around the world.
“Not only does such technology, which has progressively become more affordable
and easy to use, facilitate design in its technical aspects, it also invites architects to
explore hitherto unheard of possibilities in creating new forms.”17
Figure 7: Frank Gehry, Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain. Computer drawing.18
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16 & 17. Philip, J., 1996. Contemporary American Architects : Volume II, Italy: Taschen, p.6.
18. MoreAEdesign, n.d., Guggenheim Museum, viewed 7 December, 2011,
<http://moreaedesign.wordpress.com/>
7
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
Apparently the effect of using computer technology in design process of the
building is very dominant and important in contemporary architecture. Through
computer software, architects can understand the exact situation of the building
on site. It also demonstrates how the building response to the local climate and
be aware of the construction issue before the construction begins. Therefore,
exploration of the contemporary architecture forms is very prominent since
1990s.
Figure 8: Zaha Hadid Architects, a 3D simulation. 19
“These were developed as 3D CAD models by Zaha Hadid Architects and were then
imported into acoustic modeling software by Sandy Brown Associates. This enabled
the investigation of different finishes and sculptural shapes to enhance acoustic
conditions around the stage and audience areas of the space.” 20
Building forms that were once difficult to design now can be demonstrated using
computer software technology. It is undeniable that the achievement of
computer technology in building design is very important. The current
technology context helps to improve the quality of the architecture in conceptual
and practical. For example, the construction drawing will be much faster than old
methods whilst coordination with other disciplines such as engineering
drawings will be more accurate and precise.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19 & 20. Tecnicheparametriche, n.d., viewed 7 December, 2011, <http://tecnicheparametriche.com/>
8
“How Important Is Context In Contemporary Architectural Design?”
The Importance of Cultural & Current Context
Culture is a way of life of a place. It is the best way to accept the constraints of a
place and is followed from generation to generation. Sometimes it becomes a
symbol and identity of a place. Adaptation into the architecture is the most
popular way to show the identity of a place.
“Contemporary American architects often make reference to local tradition in their
work, as though the United States could call on a history as rich and varied as that
of Europe, which of course it cannot.”21
The cultural context plays an important role in influencing contemporary
architecture. The influence of this tradition has evolved since the beginning and
also has influenced the thinking of many contemporary architects.
“To this day, American architecture, like the very history of the country, is the
product of wide range of influences, the most important of which clearly found
their origin in the ‘old’ continent.”22
Figure 9: Louis Sullivan: Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Missouri. 23
For an example, the Wainwright Building designed by Louis Sullivan was built
with the elements of modern and also adaptation from its original classical
forms.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21 & 22. Philip, J., 1993. Contemporary American Architects : Volume I, Italy: Taschen, p.7.
23. Wikipedia, 2011, Wainwright Building, viewed 8 December, 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/>
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