Mr. Wright Art Class: Living with Art, Chapter 13 - Architecture, Part 2
William Wright・29 minutes read
William Wright discussed the evolution of architectural systems, highlighting the differences between shell systems and skeleton and skin systems, showcasing examples like the Crystal Palace and the Wainwright Building. He also mentioned modern trends like green architecture and the use of recycled materials in construction, with examples like the Wood Innovation and Design Center and Earthship housing development.
Insights
- Shell systems in architecture use the same material for both structure and exterior, like stacked stones or adobe bricks, while skeleton and skin systems involve a support frame covered with a fragile sheath, prevalent in early human civilizations.
- From the Crystal Palace's cast iron construction to modern CNC technology utilized by architects like Frank Gehry and Shigeru Ban, architectural innovation has evolved to embrace precise fabrication methods, geometric twists in design, and the use of unconventional materials like synthetic fabrics and recycled elements to create sustainable and visually striking structures.
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Recent questions
What are the two main types of architectural systems?
Shell systems and skeleton and skin systems.
What significant construction material was used in the Crystal Palace?
Cast iron.
Who is credited with revolutionizing house building in Chicago in 1833?
Balloon frame construction.
What architectural innovation is attributed to the Wainwright Building in St. Louis?
The first modern skyscraper with steel frame construction and elevators.
What technology did Frank Gehry utilize for precise curves in architecture?
CNC machines.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Architecture: From Shells to Skyscrapers
- Lecture by William Wright on living with art by Mark Gatlin, focusing on chapter 13, part two, covering architecture.
- Differentiates between shell systems and skeleton and skin systems in architecture.
- Shell systems use the same material for structure and exterior, like stacked stones or adobe bricks.
- Skeleton and skin systems have a support frame covered with a fragile sheath, common in early human civilizations.
- Cast iron construction developed in the 19th century, using iron alloy shaped by casting for structures like the Crystal Palace in London.
- Crystal Palace covered over 17 acres, 1851 feet long, with an interior height of 128 feet, built in 16 weeks.
- Cast iron structures like the Crystal Palace and the Eiffel Tower were significant but short-lived due to flammability.
- Balloon frame construction introduced in 1833 in Chicago revolutionized house building with stud framing and mass-produced nails.
- Wainwright Building in St. Louis, built in 1890-91, considered the first modern skyscraper with steel frame construction and elevators.
- Suspension bridges and cable-stayed systems are structural innovations for bridges, with suspension bridges using steel cables supported by pylons and cable-stayed systems connecting cables directly to masts for shorter distances.
15:18
Innovative Architecture Trends in Modern Design
- The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is a famous cable-stayed bridge with an arched mast and cables that create geometric twists.
- Buckminster Fuller patented the geodesic dome in 1947, using a skeletal system of triangles to create dome structures.
- Frank Gehry utilized CNC machines for digital design and fabrication, cutting materials like glass and titanium for precise curves in architecture.
- CNC technology involves converting geometry into numerical data for machines to cut and shape materials accurately.
- Shigeru Ban used CNC machines to create structures with precise curves and shapes, like the Zaha Hadid's architecture with bent aluminum and steel frameworks.
- Kengo Kuma's tea house features a double membrane of synthetic fabric with air as the skeleton, inflating to hold up the structure in 20 minutes.
- Green architecture trends focus on creating healthier and less wasteful habitats, with examples like Renzo Piano's Academy of Science design using grass roofs and photovoltaic cells for energy efficiency.
- The Solar Decathlon competition showcases energy-efficient houses, like Team Austria's Lisa House with retractable fabric sheathing for internal structures.
- Michael Green Architecture built the Wood Innovation and Design Center in British Columbia, a skyscraper made of laminated wood beams for strength.
- Modern architecture trends include prefab houses, modular homes, and shipping container homes, with examples like the Fab Lab House in Madrid made of plywood and solar panels.
30:50
Innovative artists and architects use recycled materials
- Phillips and other artists and architects are utilizing recycled materials in their work, with Phillips using old frame samples for interior sheathing, concrete and glass bottles for walls and windows. Earthship, a housing development in New Mexico, constructs houses from tires, bottles, and concrete, showcasing innovative recycling methods with no structural limitations.
