Zumthor mention that to him a quality architecture is not about inclusion in architectural guides or histories of architecture or getting my work into this or that publication. Instead, a quality architecture is when a building manages to move him. Meaning, a good architecture is not just about how much awards that building has got but how it makes people “feel” something.
He also mentions we should be able to have an emotional response when we see or enter an architecture just like how we all know emotional response through music. For example; whenever u hear a song, you will feel and know what emotion the composer is trying to convey; happy, sad, intense, scary, etc. Architecture or space should do the same. Which makes me wonder what emotion are we trying to convey to the people visiting the eco-garden?
The author mention about 9 things that he considers when generating an atmosphere for his buildings.
- The body of Architecture
The material presence of things in a piece of architecture. Different materials and combines them to create a space like this. For example; how could we use materials to cover up the frame/structure/body of the building and still give it meaning and purpose.
- Material compatibility
Materials react with one another and have their radiance, so that the material composition gives rise to something unique. Material is endless. There are thousand different possibilities in one material alone. For example; In ADM, if you see from the side the building is made up of glass panels. However, the “roof” is made up of grass which gives the building a whole different look and feel. In addition, the sunken plaza there are water which shows the reflection of the “glass” again which then gives a feeling that the building is huge.
- Sound of a space
Interiors are like large instruments, collecting sound, amplifying it, transmitting it elsewhere. That has to with the shape peculiar to each room and with the surface of the materials they contain, and the way those materials have been applied. Which makes me think, since we are doing on solitude, how can we make the space we are creating in the eco garden quiet without covering the whole space.
- The temperature of a space
Every space or building have their intended temperature. When we were at the Jurong eco-garden, all we want to do is to design something to cool down that place because it was so hot that day. We definitely could do something about that, using materials that are bad heat absorber or light colors to reflect the sunlight.
- Surrounding objects
Every space or buildings definitely has an object in it. It is for us the designers to put what is necessarily to create that sense or feeling that we want to portray.
- Between composure and seduction
The feeling that I am not being directed but can stroll at will – just like drifting along and it’s a kind of voyage of discovery. an example is how the escalators in the mall are at a certain location so people will walk pass some stalls before going elsewhere. This can also be applied in the eco-garden to “attract” people to move around and stroll in the eco-garden.
- Tension between Interior and Exterior
Every building has an exterior and interior. However, he said that architect’s job is not just about creating that tiny box. There are things in the box (interior) that creates the overall design, for example furniture, products, etc. we can also have windows to reveal the interior or walls to conceal. As for our project on solitude, we could use this. Example we created the chair to prevent user to look at what others are doing; however, they feel too constrain when their whole vision is being block, thus, how can we create something that only block some of their vison without feeling trapped.
- Levels of Intimacy
The proximity and distance generate a feeling of association and disassociation. Example again for our solitude concept, how far are the user supposed to sit in order to feel that they are in solitude.
- The Light on Things
Light is an important role in design. However, I feel that not everyone is paying much attention to light. Lights reflect on objects which gives a certain feeling. Lights also creates shadow which is something we could consider when designing a space in the outdoor.
