The Problem with Location.
The Premise.
Architecture is related to environmental conditions and to the particular activities within a space. Each activity within the space is also inter-related to each other.
This is a basic approach to optimizing a buildings function.
It is however based on a misconception, proven by our current scientific understanding.
The Varying of Architecture.
Classical Architecture was formed through the control of a set of ratios that allegedly related to the perfect human form.
A ratio is related to a loci, a place, a location. This has to be fixed to allow the ratio to be established and maintained. This then is an initial arbitrary decision since the loci is a non existent, mathematical, space time, intersection of points of coordination. Ratio has to be the relationship of one thing to another but this implies interrelationships beyond the mathematical nature of each. Loci vary. Locations vary. Materials vary. Manufacturing varies. Time varies by decay. Therefore the ability to control the loci and the ratio varies before, during and after creation.
The perfect human form is a myth itself created out of a series of ratios so the issues of variation apply equally to this term and also to the terms of the functional art of Architecture.
Therefore the problem with location permeates the word Architecture.
The Varying of Location.
The following are examples of the unfixed nature of location.
The Universe is not yet mapped completely.
Our Galaxy is not fixed but rotating at a speed of 270 km/ second or 970,000 km / hr.
The Solar system is not a fixed part of the galaxy but orbits the galaxy approximately every 225 million years.
Stellar mapping of the Earth varies with the seasonal orbit and tilt of the Earth in relation to the Sun.
The light from the stellar objects is travelling at a fixed rate from a distance so far away that the object emitting the light may no longer exist.
Humans are seeing the stars in the past.
The Sun causes the Earth to alter its orbit and axial tilt by some 560 miles per year.
The orbit and axial tilt of the Earth varies yearly in relation to the Sun.
The Earth has been mapped since the 6th Century BC up to our present time. These maps, charts and projections all vary. None of them combine the accurate surface of the globe of the Earth, the accurate land area, the accurate sea area, the accurate longitude and latitude together in one map that can be viewed on a two-dimensional surface.
Therefore humans do not have an accurate map of the Earth.
Global positioning of objects from satellites is a recent development but it to suffers from errors in calculation due to signal arrival time, random atmospheric effects, data variation from land stations, signal interference and environmental interference.
Land based survey measures are designed against standardized international systems of units. These vary all over the Earth. The measures are made of material and so have variable coefficients of expansion and become more inaccurate after prolonged use.
Our recent physics also identifies the possibility of 26 Dimensions of space time energy that all things relate to. This raises the issue of where and what in these other matter, energy and potential dimensions is any location. Quantum mechanics adds the variable of uncertainty until anything is observed. It also adds that by observing the location and speed of anything is changed.
The Varying of Environment.
Environment on the Earth varies with season and so cannot be termed a fixed point of reference.
The Varying of Activity.
Activities of humans vary with need. Need changes with time and provision and so cannot be termed a fixed point of reference either to environment or to another activity.
The Varying of Space.
Space has no boundary. There is no edge to the Universe it is everything. To create a boundary in relation to infinity is impossible.
All boundaries are agreements.
Conclusion
It can be seen that without the term location the premise sentence language is deconstructed and unproven sign, symbols and meaning are lost.
The term Architecture enshrined the placing of a form in relation to environment.
The other terms are accretions.
At all levels of existence the term location is found to be important and at the same time useless and impossible to agree upon.
Therefore an unusual conclusion is reached.
All location is by agreement until observed, discussed and then re-agreed.
Location is fluid.
Ian K Whittaker
Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles
Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com
05/12/2013
14/10/2020
772 words over 2 pages