Abstract

What tools, procedures, and methods do architects use? The triptychs on display show their approach both in analytical and designerly ways. The first panel of each triptych represents an architectural question; the second panel represents a method. The third panel showcases the confrontation of that question and method. The project thus expands known architectural tools such as drawing, writing, and modelling. Through their thorough exploration of architectural tools, the presented triptychs show an in-depth understanding of the specific qualities of the architectural project. A better insight into the capacity of these methods supports more locally responsive and socially inclusive architecture, aiming for an urban architecture of collectivity.

The Chair of Methods and Analysis at the Department of Architecture of TU Delft investigates architecture in two ways. We study and test the tools, procedures and methods used by architects to engage with the built environment. At the same time, we critically and systematically analyse the built environment to understand its components, logic and processes. We hold that operative interrelations between methods and analyses establish the condition to learn about architecture.

Based on these two premises, we have assembled this small selection of projects which represents our collective interests and ambitions. All of these projects were developed between 2014 and 2018, in courses offered by the Chair. The projects expand known architectural tools such as drawing, writing and modelling, and show how a better insight into the capacity of these methods offers a more locally responsive and socially inclusive architecture./

The analysis of the Danteum by Giuseppe Terragni on three sides of the box represents fundamental tools to explore architecture: drawing, modelling and writing. This unbuilt monument celebrating Dante’s Divina Comedia and the Roman Empire is a symbol of synthesising formal, spatial and literary qualities; its geometry, experience and imagery are captivating.

In the drawers, several projects developed within our master of architecture are on display. They explore the tools of drawing, writing and modelling. Each student project is presented as a triptych. The first panel of each triptych represents an architectural question. This question has been defined or formulated following a specific analysis of a particular condition. The second panel represents a method: tools and procedures that appear useful to confront that particular question. The third panel represents the confrontation of question and method. We understand this result not only as a project, but as the architectural knowledge produced in the process, or what we have learned.

The projects illustrate that the formative process –from question to result— involves the Delft tradition of plan analysis as well as the definition of distinct architectural positions, based on the acknowledgement and study of architectural episteme or broader systems of architectural knowledge. Despite their different approaches or degrees of complexity, these projects testify that our ambition to learn about architecture is strongly based on a critical and rigorous analysis of the built environment.

The included projects are:

Casablanca: Typology

Students Agnieszka Batkiewicz, Veronika Mayr

Casablanca is understood as a city built of multiple sometimes radically isolated areas. Contrary wide-spread interpretations, though, these enclaves are not considered in negative terms; but as a source of potential for future development. A morpho-typological study of the elements that inform some of these enclaves yields insight into elemental building blocks of the city; and reveals that often these areas are deliberately isolated from each other based on their configuration. Three interventions are proposed as ‘enclaves within enclaves,’ as acts of typological subversion. They test the logic that inform different parts of the city; and link known architectural typologies (cave, courtyard, basilica) with elemental technical motivations (carving, assembling, weaving).

Antwerpen Eilandje 2014: Story Machine

Students Silvia Acar, Ana Lisonek, Alexander Carlen

Antwerp’s former harbour ‘t Eilandje, is redeveloping. Once the place where ships were built and maintained; where goods were dispatched and arrived, and harbour workers roamed; the place now inspires to develop new urban scenarios. The ‘story machine’ is a circular structure with different layers: existing architectural settings, spatial interventions, temporary collective activities (such as a market, festival or exhibition) and individual human actions. By combining different options, multiple scenarios can be constructed.

Amsterdam Noord 2015: transformation is in the past

Students Francesco Bozzerlo, Francesca Martellono

Even as it transforms from a heavy industrial site into a metropolitan district, water still represents the soul of Amsterdam-Noord. An industrial hall is transformed into a podium, where the skyline of historical Amsterdam is on display. This change in use of a well-known architectural type re-signifies the connection between Amsterdam Noord and the old city centre.

Bogotá 2016: Praxeology

Students Valentina Bencic, Yoana Yordanova

The historical city centre of Bogotá is losing its urban liveliness. Depopulation and gentrification seem unavoidable. A survey of user groups offers insight into the relations between patterns of activity and architectural elements. A re-signification of public and collective realms is proposed as an open scheme for participation. Recognizing the (often contradictory) interests of user groups, a design trajectory is developed to revitalize this urban situation.

Bogotá 2017: Technique

Student Silvio Pennesi

Former labourers' housing area La Perseverancia in Bogotá has remained isolated, dangerous and dilapidated –terms commonly used to justify future processes of gentrification. A morpho-typological reading of the area discovers potential in an underlying modularity; the study of the productive history of the area reveals important latent resources, and the study of building techniques taps into manual labour – a readily available resource in the area. One of the latent resources (the micro-brewing of ‘chicha’) is used as a source of empowerment for the community.

Merano 2017: Phenomenology / Description

Student Davide Perrotoni

Taking the specificities of the mountain landscape in Merano (in the northern Italian Alps) as a point of departure, readings of literary accounts of the landscape are paired with experiential writings of the author-designer. Written narratives about the site trigger drawings of spatial connections. Initial sketches for the design of a three-fold library generated further stories about visitor's perception of the materiality, light, or the perception of the landscape.