Internal - by Tom Diehl (Paperback)

About the Book

"Developing a methodology for informing the numerous decisions required to advance the design of a building and its relationship to various site and program based considerations is an extensive learning process. Determining the more abstract criteria needed to define architectural languages and create attendant levels of coherence requires additional layers of investigation and conceptualization that are almost existential in nature. Yet decisions of this type often provide insights imbuing a building with a higher level of design depth and experienced richness. Today the exactness delineating architectural languages and ideas of coherence are topics whose definition is imprecise, yet the quality remains an objective underlying architectural outcomes of significance. Outlining a process focusing on the development of architectural languages through identifying organizational and representational conceptual domains, internal explores the application of this practice through interviews with eight internationally recognized architects. Using an interview format that employs standard questions asked of each architect, internal provides a vehicle for enhancing methodologies essential to advancing language-based outcomes. The intent is to support a design process that aids the creation of buildings, spaces and places that are inspiring - ones enhanced by the enrichment of architectural languages" -- Backcover.

Book Synopsis

As the number and distinctiveness of design directions in contemporary architecture expands, an outcome has emerged of a contradictory nature. While many of these directions hold great intrigue, a troubling aspect arises in that in their realization an "incompleteness" is often exhibited, one expressing a less developed architectural richness often expressed in an under-utilized nature of the architectural language itself.

Internal addresses this issue with a focus on topics that underly the creation of architectural languages. Concentrating on strategies and concepts that inform the creation of cohering architectural languages versus "external" factors affecting design, such as those necessary to accommodate site or program, Internal focuses on design considerations incorporating the authority grounded in "internal" language-based architectural issues. Identifying underlying themes and strategies necessary to create coherent and informed architectural languages constitutes the effort underlying this book.

Featuring:
Brian MacKay-Lyons
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects Ltd Hill House
John Patkau
Patkau Architects Strawberry Vale Elementary School
Tom Kundig
Olson Kundig Architects Chicken Point Cabin
Thom Mayne
Morphosis Caltrans District 7 Headquarters
Neal Denari
NMDA--Neil M. Denari Architects, Inc. Alan-Voo Residence Addition
Enrique Norten
Ten/Arquitectos National School of Theater
Eric Owen Moss
Eric Owen Moss Architects Samitaur Tower
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien
Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Partners American Folk Art Museum