Towards a Critique of Architecture's Contemporaneity: 4 Essays

This book explores the relationship between nineteenth-century theories and digital reproducibility in contemporary architecture through four essays: tectonics, materiality, cladding, and labor. It argues that the historical analogies between these two periods can offer a critical perspective on architectures contemporaneity. The book emphasizes the importance of the tectonic of theatricality in architecture's self-representation and explores how technologys mediation has dominated its representation. It also examines the relationship between technique and labor in architecture and how this relationship has been obscured by the digitalization of commodity exchange value. The book is intended for researchers and students of architectural history and theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the captivating realm of historical analogies between nineteenth-century theories and the contemporary practices driven by digital reproducibility, offering a critical perspective on the contemporary condition of architecture through four insightful essays: tectonics, materiality, cladding, and labor. At the core of this exploration lies the historicity of Gottfried Semper's theorization of architecture amidst the flourishing of new materials and construction techniques in the 1850s. The book begins by examining Semper's distinction between theatricalization and the tectonic of theatricality, a fundamental theme in the self-representation of architecture. While the title of the book evokes the Semperian Four Elements of Architecture, its argument extends beyond Semper's framework, delving into the tectonic of theatricality in a unique historico-theoretical context.

The invisible thread connecting technique and labor runs through the four subjects explored in this book, shedding light on the predicament of architecture in the global capitalist system. By employing the theoretical framework of Marxian dialectics, the book examines Semper's theorization of architecture in contrast to the overwhelming dominance of technology's mediation in shaping architectural representation. Each essay in the book takes a deep dive into Semper's ideas, highlighting their relevance in the contemporary context.

In the essay on tectonics, the book explores the relationship between architecture and the physical environment, emphasizing the role of tectonics in shaping architectural form and structure. It examines how the interplay between tectonic forces and architectural design can create dynamic and responsive spaces that respond to the natural and cultural context. The essay also explores the ways in which digital technologies have influenced the tectonic dimension of architecture, particularly in the realm of computational design and parametric modeling.

The essay on materiality delves into the sensory and experiential aspects of architecture, exploring how materials and their properties can shape the perception and experience of spaces. It examines the role of materials in creating atmospheres, textures, and light, and how they can evoke emotional responses and cultural meanings. The essay also explores the ways in which digital technologies have enabled new materials and materializations, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, to shape the future of architectural design.

The essay on cladding explores the surface and boundary of architecture, examining how cladding systems can define and enhance the visual identity of buildings. It explores the role of cladding in creating visual hierarchies, defining spaces, and regulating environmental conditions. The essay also examines the ways in which digital technologies have enabled new cladding systems, such as smart materials and digital printing, to redefine the possibilities of architectural design.

The essay on labor explores the relationship between architecture and the labor force, emphasizing the role of architects, builders, and laborers in the creation and maintenance of architectural spaces. It examines the historical and social dynamics of labor in architecture, including the struggles for labor rights, the role of labor unions, and the changing nature of work in the construction industry. The essay also explores the ways in which digital technologies have influenced the labor dimension of architecture, particularly in the realm of automation, virtual reality, and additive manufacturing.

Through these four essays, Towards a Critique of Architectures Contemporaneity expands the scope of architectural criticism beyond the confines of formalism and the turn to philosophy in the 1980s and the present tendencies toward presentism. The book offers a nuanced and critical analysis of the contemporary condition of architecture, highlighting the complex relationships between technology, labor, and the broader social and cultural context. It provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of architecture and the role of architects in shaping the built environment.

In conclusion, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the historical analogies between nineteenth-century theories and the contemporary practices driven by digital reproducibility. It provides a critical perspective on the contemporary condition of architecture through four insightful essays that delve into the themes of tectonics, materiality, cladding, and labor. By employing the theoretical framework of Marxian dialectics, the book offers a nuanced and critical analysis of the contemporary condition of architecture, highlighting the complex relationships between technology, labor, and the broader social and cultural context. It provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of architecture and the role of architects in shaping the built environment.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032418681