Abstract
In this paper, a design technique of fragmentation is discussed in relation to the current phenomenon of architectural renovations. There are growing numbers of building renovation projects by merging diverse formal languages in urban areas. This paper specifically questions the transformed qualities of form and meaning by representing a formal language next to one another. The narrative is based on a series of design research projects focused on the recomposition or reconfiguration of forms and meanings in the premise of creating a new. Looking closely, today’s renovation projects often seem to carry on the previous forms and meanings under the outward expression of transforming old buildings. The synthesizing technique of fragments increases the capacities of architectural design by continuing and transforming the legacy of architectural form and meaning at the same time. This paper situates the main argument of fragmentation technique in a couple of postmodern design theories from the 1960s to the 80s. Today’s transformations in the building renovation projects often show unusual qualities in form and meaning similar to the postmodern architectures. However, today’s renovation languages are much more subtle than their predecessors’ languages which are neither direct collages nor simple eclecticisms. Although complex and difficult to grasp at a glance, today’s transformations from fragments look more rational or reasonable than the conventional formal languages.
Presenters
Wonseok ChaeResearch and Teaching Assistant, Techniques of Representation and Design, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Holger Hoffmann
Professor, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Germany
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design
KEYWORDS
Transform, Renovation, Fragments
