Greg Lynn

Probable Geometries 

Lynn begins his essay discussing how geometry lends itself to the language of architecture and how in-turn, architecture has become dependent on geometric conflicts.  He introduces Mark Wigely's work with Phillip Johnson, 'Deconstructivist Architecture', in which the link below helped me to understand the over arching themes of the work.

Article on Deconstructivist Architecture in the MoMA

Lynn goes on to present the historical view of architecture relating to symmetry, geometry, simplistic forms dating back to Vitruvius' Book III in his 'Ten Books of Architecture'.  Architecture is compared to the man- symmetrical and proportional.  Lynn best describes this notion saying, "Since that time, the logic of the whole organism has been linked with the complete, pure forms of exact geometries in architecture."

















I appreciate that Lynn introduces the other side to this argument with Bataile and Hollier's 'Against Architecture'.  Hollier and Bataile advocate for "incompleteness, undecidability, and amorphousness."  Presenting both views on a debate gives an author credibility, showing that he/she lacks bias.  

 I enjoyed reading about Corbusier's attempts to create a provisional system of geometric transections. He discovered in his Maison Citrohan that lateral load bearing walls eliminate a fixed column grids, allowing for a structural system independent of the floor plan; this allows for more design freedom.

These studies by Le Corbusier influenced modern day architect, Rem Koolhaas in his library projects; below is a model of his Jussieu Library

Blob Tectonics

The blob:
-No too are the same shape or size
-Intervene on the level of form
-contradict the typical form
-associated with science fiction horror movies
-3 major principles: can move through space as if it was water, absorb objects, can infinitely multiply
-In the modeling world, the development of:  meta-clay, meta-ball, and blobs

An interesting article on Blobitecture

Blobitecture made possible by computer-aided design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1damFCdRTT8 --> helped me understand metaballs

Source Object

Ceramic Picture Frame:

examining a portion or corner of the frame

Greg Lynn Reading Analysis

Greg Lynn; Animate Form. 

Greg Lynn's knowledge on how computer software affects and influences architecture, is a viewpoint that has not been exposed to me before.   In hopefully comprehending his dense, foreign terminology, I believe him to imply that architecture can now been seen in a new malleable, shapable way with computer aided design.  In his descriptions of blobs, splines, polysurfaces, etc, it becomes more clear how these 'shapes' can impact design.  I found it helpful to read about the juxtapositions of terms I thought to be synonyms with one another, for example 'animation' vs. 'motion' and 'virtual' vs. simulation'.  As opposed to drawing representations of architecture, with computer software, we/designers can now add in other factors, such as motion, simulation, and animation, to bring our designs to life, to make them 'animate'.  

Sailboat Hull

Lynn's example of the sailboat hull was most helpful in explaining topology allowing for multiple vectors in one surface.   He describes the sailboat's hull as a "planing surface" when sailing downwind, to pick up speed.  However in the opposite direction, it acts as a 'heal' or break to provide more surface against the water.  In both situations, the hull remains the same, yet acts differently.  I understand as external forces contribute to design.   The complexity of design changes when the environment changes. 

Virtual vs Simulation 

These terms are not interchangeable, which was a misconception of mine until reading this excerpt.  Webster's dictionary defines virtual as "very close to being something without actually being it."  Lynn similarly describes the term as something abstract that has the potential of becoming 'actualized'.  He defines simulation as being a 'simulated reality' or a substitute for the reality.  

Time vs Force

The built environment deals with both time and force.  Lynn talks about how buildings are expected to be permanent, lasting many years.  With countless ancient antecedents we have as examples, the idea of building permanence seems reasonable.  Lynn brings up a valid argument that seems to be resonating more and more recently.  Buildings could be intended to last a shorter period of time, allowing for opportunities in recycling, adaptive reuse, deconstructing.  An interesting article posted by Arch Daily highlights some examples of reuse.  

"Recyling + Building Materials"    http://www.archdaily.com/155549/recyclingbuilding-materials/  

Movement 

The last major topic of interest to me in this article was Lynn's introduction to the morphologist Etienne-jules Marey and his work with rhythm, movement, and pulses.  I found Marey's work to be fascinating as he ties together movement and flow with the rhythms of a animate beings; ultimately, he uses his data to generate forms.  Marey used triggers attached to animals' bodies to capture photographs in a rhythmic sequence.  

The specific movements of these animals were documents and Marey would connect curved lines from point to point to create flow.  I found this concept to be very similar to artist Heather Hansen's rhythmic work.  The artist moves her body across a canvas with charcoal in hand.  The charcoal captures her body's movements, creating a beautiful work made up of continuos lines.  Here, she creates her own 'spline' versus Marey's work, where he connected specific points to create a continuous line.  

Heather Hansen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4oBc-o1npg