What I enjoyed most during the year in which this project ran was the freedom to set it up completely myself. This offered me the chance to make something completely different from the standard and dive into the world of literature. lt was a dive I feit ready for. Looking back I think the concept of explorations worked out into materials and texts works well. Even though it is near impossible to read everything available I tried to make the best choices in what to read and what to work with. I know full well that this leaves room for improvement.
The two things I take from this project are the architectural clarity that I need to put into my thinking, and the knowledge I gained in both architecture and literature. Clarity is an important commodity to be communicated to peers, teachers and clients in order to be able to open up a good discussion about ideas. I believe I have gained a lot of knowledge in this aspect thanks to continued questioning from my tutors.Though I feel this has improved mightily. I know this is something I will keep working on.
The latter aspect, the insight in literature and architecture has come with a massive amount of research. Though not everything has worked as a salvatien for the soul, it has always made me look at things anew. Taking something from the positive and the negative examples I researched, visited and read, has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for architects and writers. The vast amount of knowledge that I have found in texts and buildings alike wil I be a souree of inspiration and research for a long time to come. lt has , like reverend Haynes said: challenged me in living.
lt was the first thing that came to mind when looking back on the process: A road less travelled. I can vaguely remember it being something famous, but only the quote has stuck to my mind. lt was a strange road, with moves left and right, bumps on the surface and smooth bits in between.The project does not lend itself to be understood straightforward, it is an amalgamation from what is standard.
Perhaps it is my personal view of things, to not want to be standard. I have always found it difficult to go with the proverbia! flow. But standing back now, and looking at this road, the bumps are there and can be avoided in future projects.
One such bump is the fact that I have always been impressed by many different architects and designs.To the point that what I see and leam I want to put into my work immediately. No rest, no wait, but immediately. This has caused at times that my work became eclectic pieces where ideas run faster than the whole. lt also made for changes to be made instantly. Longfellow's psalm of life has become a leading premise in this project, and its last words hold the most meaning for my process:
leam to Iabour; and leam to wait. Waiting to put things in, let ideas simmer in the mind first instead of implementing on site, and leam to Iabour into a more structural process.
I do intend to improve my process further so that in the future it will be completely under my command, though I do not think I will ever be making straightforward things. Yet I will strive to learn to Iabour and leam to wait.
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References
tt is impossible to list all references that helped fonn this project Every book brings something onto the reader. Whether he takes rt with him consciously or unconsciously, rt stays with him forever. The list is a me re overview of the books that we re dosest to making this project to what it is.
I. Verburg, ( over)spannend staal, ( 1993), Bouwen met staal, Rotterdam
2. www.denver.org/metro/history. (20 I I), Visrt Denver; Denver Colorado Tourist and Vacation lnfonnation
3. www.brownpalace.com/about_the_brown/from_the_archive.cfm,(20 I I ),The Brown Palace, Downtown Denver Archives,
4. Eric Owen Moss Texts:
Giaconia, P.,The Uncertainty of Doing, (2006), Skira
Moss, E. 0., Building and Projects 3, (2002), Rizolli, NewYork Moss, E. 0., Gnostic Architect, ( 1999), Monacelli
Cohen, 5., Eric Owen Moss:The Box, ( 1996), Princeton Press
Vidler;A., Eric Owen Moss: Building and Projects 2, (1996), Rizolli, NewYork Further advised reading:
Mayne,T., Morphosis Buildings and ProjectsV4, (2006), Rizolli, NewYork
Prix, D, Swiczinsky.H., Get off of my cloud, (2006), Hatje Cantz
Wemer; Frank. Covering and Exposing: Coop Himmelb)l)au, (2000), Birkhauser; Basel Noever; P Coop Himmelb(l)au: Beyond the Blue, (2008), Prestel USA
6. Peter ZumthorTexts
Zumthor; P, Thinking Architecture, (20 I 0) , Birkhauser; Base I
Zumthor; P,Atmospheres:Architectural Environments- Surrounding Objects, (2006), Birkhauser; Basel
Further advised reading:
Pallasmaa.j..The thinking hand, (2009),Wiley
Pallasmaa,j.,The eyes ofthe skin, (2005),Academy Press Tanzinaki,
J.,
In praise of shadows, ( 1977), Leete's lsland books7. Adam Caruso and Peter St. John
Caruso,A,.The Feeling ofThings, (2009) Poligrafa
Ursprung. P, Caruso St.john:Aimost Everything. (2009), Poligrafa
Olgiati,V., Breitschmid, M.,The lmportance of the ldea in the Architecture ofValerio Olgiati, (2009).Verlag Niggli
Bachelard, G.,The poetics of space, ( 1994), Beacon Press, Boston
8. Cuyvers, W., From the dream of the novel tumed to stone, to the acknowledgement of public space, Oase 70, (2009) (pp. 22- 25)
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9. www.iep.utm.edu/Azted, (2011) Fieser;J, Dowden, B. ,Aztec Philosophy,lntemet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP)
10. Steinbeck,j.,The Grapes ofWrath, (2002), Penguin
11. http://lewis-clarkorg/,jenkinson J, Discovering Lewis and Clark,.
12. http://www.favoritepoem.org, Pinsky, R., Favourite Poem Project, Favourite Poem Project
13. Pallasmaa, J., The eyes ofthe skin, (2005), Academy Press
14. From the movie:Wang ,W.,Smoke (1995)
And of course,
Melville, H., Moby Dick, (200 I), Sirnon & Schuster
p. 13
Bessemer Convertor, Routledge, R., Discovenes & lnventions of the Nineteenth Century. ( 1900)
Denver at night
Phobos, Mars et Phobos par Celestia 1.3.2 (2005)
v.ww.coop-himmelblau.at, (20 I I ) Coop Himmelb(l)au, Open House
Bruder Klause Kapelle, Cisar, 5. (2009)
v.ww.carusostjohn.com, (20 I I ), Brick House, Caruso St john,
Google Earth and Steetview, v.ww.google.com/maps (20 I I )
Dustbowl, Historie C&GS Collection (20 I I)
v.ww.listal.com (20 I I ), Augie Wren