The native scene of architecture in the age of information

Introduction:

• The lecture introduces a new perspective on architecture in the age of information, marking a novel exploration.

• Recap of prior classes:

  • First class: Focused on modernity, crisis, and information technology, linking these themes to architecture and societal changes during the coronavirus era.

  • Second class: Defined information as "the application of a convention to a datum," contrasting the tangible, chaotic outside world with the structured, information-driven digital world.

  • Highlighted the interaction between the historical evolution of architecture and the role of information as a raw material.

Defining Architecture:

• Architecture is redefined for each era, with the process being both a personal and collective exercise.

• Historical perspective: Referenced the frontispiece of Marc-Antoine Laugier’s "Essai sur l'Architecture," portraying Lady Architecture seated on Baroque ruins. The image suggests a return to primitive, fundamental principles—an act of rethinking architecture.

• Today’s challenge: To reinterpret architecture using information as a foundation.

The Birth of Architecture in the Age of Information:

• Chaos to Meaning: Using an allegory, the speaker describes early humans observing chaos (stars) and recognizing the immobile North Star as a point of reference. This act transforms chaotic data into information.

  • A pole was erected to mark this point, symbolizing the first act of architecture: extracting meaning and structure from chaos.

  • This act laid the groundwork for understanding seasons, spatial relationships, and eventually building structures.

Architecture as a Symbol of Knowledge:

• The evolution of architecture reflects humanity’s quest to transform the chaotic universe into meaningful systems:

  • Menhirs and circles (e.g., Stonehenge) represented early efforts to celebrate knowledge and religion.

  • Altars, like those in Delphi and Etruscan sites, symbolized sacred spaces that connected the cosmos, land, and human understanding.

  • Temples, such as the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, emerged as places of knowledge and spiritual connection. These sites often occupied high points, symbolizing a connection between earth and sky.

Architecture’s Phases and Layers:

• Historical architecture evolved in layers, starting from rudimentary markers (e.g., poles or altars) to complex systems like walls and columns.

• Hills and elevated locations were pivotal for early architecture, offering vantage points to understand the environment and cosmos.

Contemporary Interpretations:

• Modern architecture, exemplified by Le Corbusier’s Rochambe (Notre Dame du Haut), reflects this enduring connection between architecture, information, and symbolic representation:

  • Rochambe is compared to the Acropolis, emphasizing its role as a high point of both spiritual and informational significance.

  • The speaker draws parallels between Rochambe’s towers and modern telescopes, symbolizing humanity’s desire to exchange information with the universe.

The Role of Art in Architecture:

• Contemporary art also embodies informational themes, such as Walter de Maria’s "Lightning Field."

  • The installation creates dynamic informational fields, reshaping space and interaction based on environmental changes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Architecture evolves by redefining itself in response to societal, technological, and informational paradigms.

2. The shift from chaos to structured knowledge represents the birth of architecture, a process that continues today.

3. Information, as a conceptual foundation, offers new ways to interpret and innovate in architecture.

4. Sites of knowledge, from ancient temples to modern art installations, highlight architecture’s role in bridging chaos, human understanding, and the cosmos.

This summary encapsulates the lecture’s exploration of architecture in the age of information, emphasizing its historical roots, philosophical implications, and contemporary relevance.

Next class ➡️