These are a few additions to the library that have come in this term that may help some of you in pursuit of recent discourse on your research issues. Some resources may be applicable to more than those outlined in the description while others may be missed in this quick survey/review. If so, speak with the instructors to better outline options for your development.
ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE: From Form to Place + Tectonics
This would be a worthwhile document for those of you who need to firm up a sensibility on the resolution of form beyond the schematic. Some of you are struggling with moving from box/planning diagrams into real architectural propositions. First of all, if your building design revolves around the use of program as the functional driver, you are doing a project. Secondly, it would appear that the architecture is not driven by design and worse still, lacks the ability to manifest a clear architectural position. This might be relevant for Ashley B. and LeeAnn who will be refining design beyond their architectural gestures (i.e. the relentless wall and the overarching roof respectively). This might also relieve Steven, Eranga, and Bijan of their very program-organization obligations.
OLD BUILDINGS: NEW FORMS
What is interesting in this book is that it goes beyond the case study model and projects directions (in some instances) on how architects can transform larger contexts than a built space on its own. This might be relevant to students such as Kat as she seeks a method to resolve a larger scale proposition with respect to older remnants of buildings.
For those interested in animated/navigational studies that outline narrative or movement through a space, we have discussed options of importing material into game engines to adequately visualize things. Coinciding with a recent trip to Atlanta in response to some research initiatives, Stefan Boeykens was brought to the forefront once again. His book outlines the method that many architecture students use the Unity gaming engine to import and display their architectural ideas. Those interested in narrative and visual qualities of space, including Shawna, Ryan A., Siavash, and possibly Ria may be interested in this as a source for their work in the future. Better yet, it's an e-book for Ryerson students!
CREATING YOUR HOME WITH STYLE: Taste is Timeless
As the title implies, this is a great compilation Loos' works that provides a defense of his work in light of temporality and taste. Though he is rather nebulous about notions of what truly can determine timelessness, it is worthwhile as a support for students dealing with the topic, especially from such an authoritative source. Jeff may find this as an affirmation of what he had projected in Project One however it might need expanding when articulating larger architectural strategies that unify all typologies.
HOUSES MADE OF WOOD AND LIGHT
Despite the scale shifts, this compilation may be of some modest value to Fil and Tony as they proceed with their respective works in wood. Though the projects themselves are rather bland, the interesting things that do emerge are the finer details such as how the architects deal with roofs, tectonic expression of detail/joinery, and the odd instances where wood grain behaves like poorly placed UV-mapping...
Clearly not a winner but it does raise questions about the material properties of wood relative to other architectural media including light/shadow and synergies with other materials.
AD: SYSTEM CITIES: Infrastructures and the spaces of flows
This is older however it holds relevance to projects dealing with the larger urban contexts especially in light of the "new" wave of design paradigms focused upon urban metabolisms. This obviously has value to Sivan, Kevin, Iris, and Steph as they all deal with the idea of architecture as parts of larger ecosystems or ecosystems onto themselves. Don't forget that the entire AD series is available through the Ryerson library such that you can download PDF sections...
THE FORCE OF THE VIRTUAL
As a number of you are interested in exploring the virtual realm relative to tangible architecture, it is important to remember that the challenge lies in how one paradigm has not only replaced another, but that there are supplemental capacities that prove to be complementary. Refraining from gadgetry and gimmicks will be a difficult exercise in restraint. Though likely requiring more time beyond the extents of the studio, there are some notable authors that should be addressed including Manuel DeLanda, Gilles Deleuze, and of course Felix Guattari. The reality is there works are dense no matter how one takes them. A thorough investigation would require time and likely discussion however a few good starts would be this compilation (The Force).
DISAPPEARING ARCHITECTURE - FROM REAL TO VIRTUAL TO QUANTUM
For something less dense but still dabbling in the realm of the digital negotiation in architecture, a very good source that has been used by graduate students in the past is Peter Webel's and Georg Flachbart's great compilation of articles that are curated in a great way to make a compelling case for contradiction in this spectrum "from presence to absence" and "location to nonlocation". Of course having supplemental information from William Mitchell (yes, THAT Mitchell) and Stuart Veech with design insights from folks like Rashid and Diller always helps too! This would likely help out (if they don't already have this great compilation already) students including Jason, Ryan L., and Julia.
THE EMERGING ASIAN CITY: Concomitant Urbanities & Urbanisms
Perhaps more a function of the variety of projects situated in Asia based upon natural disasters, air quality, or other social factors, it may be of use for some students to take a look (again, likely many of you have read this in seminar) at this book as it offers a great range of case studies which articulate the various environmental, social, and economic challenges faced by the region and the host of ramifications on the built world. Going beyond Ashley A., Steph, and Iris, this is a great resource as many of you will be compelled to address/assert your positions in your theses in extreme conditions such as those found in Asia.
LANDFORM BUILDING: Architecture's New Terrain
Even though not very many of you are proposing true blob-itecture, it is apparent that for some of you there is a compulsion to create something monumental. Be wary of this not in the sense that conservative design should reign true, however it is to ensure that architecture may serve as a communicative (and an extremely powerful one at that) larger cultural issues. This compilation has a few articles that make it fairly clear on why and how architecture accomplishes this. Eranga and Ashley B. may be at odds with this but it certainly is worth s quick glance.
Given the extensive discussion on the failings of Prefab, it is still worth mentioning the gorilla in the room which is the Japanese Metabolist movement and how it fits into several studio projects whether consciously or not. Jeff and Ashley A. may both find this worthwhile as it describes the conditions that gave rise to this movement and (to a certain extent) provides an outline of why and how it lost momentum. With the component and crux foci of your respective works, this may be a useful supplement to your work.
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