notts my language

In case of loss, please return to: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

As a reward: £ _____________________________________.

NOTTSMY

LANGUAGEThe Ultimate Pocket Book:

Deciphering Abstract Architectural Language

Carolina YoungUniversity of Nottingham

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE The Ultimate Pocket Book: Deciphering Abstract Architectural Language copyright © 2011

by Carolina Young Publishing. All rightsreserved. Printed in São Paulo. No part of

this book may be used or reproduced in any mannerwhatsoever without written permission exceptin the case of reprints in the context of reviews.

For information, write to [email protected].

10 09 08 07 06 CBY 05 04 03 02 01

Student ID Number: 4058235DipArch Year 5 - University of Nottingham

Module: Architectural Research Methods - K14ARMModule Convener: Guillermo Guzman Dumont

All puzzles created in the website Discovery Education’s Puzzle Maker

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com

Definitions taken fromhttp://www.dictionary.com

ATTENTION: All content is the result from questionnaires, surveys, and ob-

servations as part of a research programme at the University of Nottingham. Answers reveal the type of language employed by architecture students, both at undergraduate and postgraduate

level, as well as tutors. Project by: Carolina Young

1

How To Use Your PockeT Book

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Have you ever noticed what language you use when explaining architecture?

Do you normally find yourself using too many abstract words to convey a simple idea?

If you do, welcome to the world of architects!

This pocket book aims to guide and entertain architec-ture students through the challenges of the abstract vocabulary that is acquired as you develop in the field.Going through the whole alphabet, you will find five sections per letter, which are as follows:

• Dictionary: definition of an abstract word that is highly used when explaining architecture; • Scenario: a situation or sentence where you can employ the previous word; • Game: different word puzzles for your entertainment; • Doodle: a space for you to freely sketch your ideas; • Quote: inspirational quote about various topics concerned with architecture.

If you’re preparing for a crit or about to sit through a tutorial, or even at home stressed that your AutoCAD has crashed your computer, never forget your pocket book! Relax and take some time to enjoy and learn!

Have fun!

2

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

A

3

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence;

• a distinctive quality, character.

Scenario

Atmosphere [at-muhs-feer]- noun

When asked to describe the quality or mood of a specific space, use...

The changing atmosphere of the space exists as a tension between temporality and permanence.

A contrasting atmosphere draws the physical experience of the space.

4

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 20 famous Architects!

PianoRogersWrightZumthor

NiemeyerNouvelPalladioPallasma

KahnKoolhasLoosMeier

GaudiGehryHadidHerzog

CalatravaCorbusierDeMeuronFoster

5

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

It’s time to get creative! Sketch your ideas and doodle the crit away!

“Architecture is an art when one consciously or unconsciously creates aesthetic emotion in the atmosphere and when this

environment produces well-being.” Luis Barragan

6

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

B

7

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• something that indicates bounds or limits; • a limiting or bounding line.

Scenario

Boundary [boun-duh-ree, -dree]- noun

Abstract combo!Permeable boundary

Introduce your investigation:

In order to capture the essence and potential of the building, the study merged the boundaries between the stable and unstable moments, the tangible and abstract elements.

8

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Double Puzzle

Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number to reveal the hidden phrase.

Hint: The scrambled words are not abstract terms!

9

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“My mission is to create a structure that is sensitive to the culture and climate of its place.”

Norman Foster

10

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

C

11

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a general notion or idea, conception;• an idea of something formed by mentally

combining all its characteristics or particulars; a construct;

• a directly conceived or intuited object of thought.

Scenario

Concept [kon-sept]- noun

Key phrase during a crit! The concept of my project originates from ….

Now derive the word ‘conceptual’ and explore the following sentence:

Moving further into my investigation, the essence of my work was formulated and expressed through a transitional piece between the conceptual and the actual building.

12

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Letter Tiles

Unscramble the tiles to reveal a message.

Hint: The message is a quote by Le Corbusier!

13

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“... because the center of the composition is not a building, but an empty space.”

Renzo Piano

14

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

D

15

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• conversation between two or more persons;• an exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular

issue.

Scenario

Dialogue [dahy-uh-lawg, -log]- noun

During the crit...

Tutor: Why change the materiality of your building?

You [student]: In order to keep a consistency between the internal and external spaces, I’ve decided to use ex-posed concrete in both areas, as the previous option caused an uncomfortable dialogue between materials and experience.

16

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Cryptogram

Replace the numbers by its respective letter to reveal the message.

Hint: Where do you study?

17

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture is a continuing dialogue between generations which creates an environment across time.”

Vincent Scully

18

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

E

19

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis;

• a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment.

Scenario

Element [el-uh-muhnt]- noun

Abstract combo!Perceptible elements

During the crit...

Tutor: Explain the interaction between user and building.

You [student]: The idea is to create a mechanism through which a dynamic interaction is created between user and building, where the user places elements at key moments to successfully resolve an opportunity and enhance the experience.

20

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 12 abstract architectural words beginning with the letter E.

exploreexpressionextensionextract

enhancesenvelopeeventexperiential

embodyemotionempowerenergy

21

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”

Frank Gehry

22

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

F

23

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• external appearance of a clearly defined area, as dis-tinguished from color or material; configuration;

• the shape of a thing or person. • something that gives or determines shape; a mold. • a particular condition, character, or mode in which

something appears.

Scenario

Form [fawrm]- noun

Abstract combo!Organic form

When in doubt...

The form of the building is composed by symmetri-cally arranged areas holding visual cues which create a balanced composition.

24

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Labyrinth

A fresher is lost in the EEC! Help him get from the lecture room (point A) to the courtyard (point B).

A B

25

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“I work from the basic forms as a method to give form, if I have to design a velodrome, I draw a circle; if I have to design a poll, I draw a rectangle; I judge that everyone understands this. Those are forms which are not born with questions of style.”

Dominique Perrault

26

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

G

27

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a movement or position that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc.;

• the use of such movements to express thought;• any action, courtesy, communication, etc., intended

for effect or as a formality; considered expression; emonstration.

Scenario

Gesture [jes-cher]- noun

Memorise this sentence!

This intervention is a delicate [fill in with appropriate adjective] gesture responding to the needs of the users.

28

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Scrambled Puzzle

Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in the boxes marked with a circle and unscramble them for the final message.

Hint: What do you study?

29

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.”Coco Chanel

30

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

H

31

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• any system of persons or things ranked one above another.

Scenario

Hierarchy [hahy-uh-rahr-kee, hahy-rahr-]- noun

Abstract combo!Hierarchical relationship

During the crit...

Tutor: Explain the design process behind the layout or positioning of the spaces.

You [student]: The organization of the building was systematically thought through the hierarchy of the spaces based on their specific use.

32

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 10 staff members from the DA+BE!

lynshawmichaelstaceynicolagerberpatsergio

bensonlaudncguillermojohnedmondslizbromleysmith

33

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“The materials of city planning are sky, space, trees, steel and cement in that order and in that hierarchy.”

Le Corbusier

34

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

I

35

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditions;

• condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is;

• an instance or point of sameness or likeness.

Scenario

Identity [ahy-den-ti-tee, ih-den-]- noun

During the crit...

You will always be asked about the identity of your pro-ject, or of a certain typology. Don’t panic! This is a com-plex question subject to personal opinion.

Use abstract combos such as: dynamic behaviour, social interaction, contrast and diversity, etc to explain a possible identity.

36

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search with a Hidden Message

Search for the 7 given words and discover a hidden message withing the word search box!

charcoalinklogbookmarkerpencilrotringpenruler

Hint: Number 1 advice for an architecture student.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __!

37

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Each new situation requires a new architecture.” Jean Nouvel

38

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

J

39

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time; trip;

• a distance, course, or area traveled;• passage or progress from one stage to another.

Scenario

Journey [jur-nee]- noun

Memorise this sentence!

The journey through my building explores the narrative in an evocative architectural representation.

40

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Letter Tiles


Hint: Name of a Society at Uni!

41

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture is a social activity that has to do with some sort of communication or places of interaction, and that to change the

environment is to change behaviour.” Thom Mayne

42

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

K

43

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition;

• familiarity or conversance, as with a particular sub-ject or branch of learning;

• the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension.

• awareness, as of a fact or circumstance.

Scenario

Knowledge [nol-ij] - noun

During the crit...

Tutor: How does the journey through your building affect the user?

You [student]: The journey within the building encour-ages a dynamic behaviour; the spatial framework created provides different conditions and environments where the individual will gain knowledge through personal experience and discovery.

44

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Cryptogram


Hint: What does the acronym EEC stand for?

45

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light.”

Le Corbusier

46

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

L

47

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface;

• bed, stratum: one of a number of portions or divi-sions.

Scenario

Layer [ley-er]- noun

Abstract combo!Multiple Layers

Exposed/Hidden Layers

When in doubt...

As a starting point to my project, I decided to explore and reveal the multiple layers of a city, beginning with society.

48

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Fallen Phrase

Fit in the given letters to decipher the Fallen Phrase.

Hint: Name of a Department at UoN.

49

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“All real education is the architecture of the soul.”William Bennett

50

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

M

51

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• material nature or quality.

Scenario

Materiality [muh-teer-ee-al-i-tee]- noun

Key phrases!

The materiality of the building was inspired by …

The materiality plays an important role when enhancing the experience due to …

Throughout the journey, the user physically discovers the different layers through the chosen materiality, which in turn draws a parallel to discovering the various functions of the building.

52

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 8 abstract architectural words beginning with the letter M.

milieumomentsmotifsmovement

materialitymatrixmeanderingmileage

53

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“I work a little bit like a sculptor. When I start, my first idea for a building is with the material. I believe architecture is about that.It’s not about paper, it’s not about forms. It’s about space and material.”

Peter Zumthor

54

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

N

55

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.

Scenario

Narrative [nar-uh-tiv]- noun

During the crit...

Tutor: Describe the approach to your building proposal.

You [student]: After exploring different lines of enquiry, the contextual journey was translated into a narrative which further became an informed architectural compo-sition.

Remember: narrative and journey are popular words!

56

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Labyrinth

It’s that time of year when stress takes over and you feel as if you’re trapped in a maze! Stop your work for a bit and try to get from point A to point B! This will free your imagination!

A

B

57

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space.”Mies van der Rohe

58

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

O

59

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.

Scenario

Ontology [on-tol-uh-jee] - noun

This is a topic of discussion that will certainly get you into a vibrant conversation with your tutors!

Explore the essence and nature of existence and being through ontological questions such as: What can be said to exist? What is the meaning of being? What constitutes the identity of an object? What is a physical object?

60

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Cryptogram


Hint: Quote by Grace McGarvie.

61

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture comes form the making of a room. A room is the place of mind.”

Louis I. Kahn

62

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

P

63

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• the property or state of being permeable (capable of being permeated).

Scenario

Permeability [pur-mee-uh-bil-i-tee]- noun

Explore during a tutorial...

Is there such notion as permeable architecture, capable of absorbing new ideas?

64

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 10 abstract architectural words beginning with the letter P.

plasticitypoetrypotentialitypragmaticpressure

partiperceptionpermeablephenomenologyplace

65

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Perhaps it does not matter how pretty the details are, or how beautiful the finish is. What is important is the clarity of one’s logic - that is, the clarity of the logic behind a composition... The quality that one recognize through reason, not perception. What is important is ‘transparency’ ... The ‘transparency’ of a consistent logic.”

Tadao Ando

66

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Q

67

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• resembling; seeming; virtual.

Scenario

Quasi [kwey-zahy, -sahy, kwah-see, -zee]- adjective

Explore these ideas!

Virtual architecture and quasi-experiences.

68

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Fallen Phrase


Hint: Famous book by Juhani Pallasmaa.

69

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Consider the momentous event in architecture when the wall parted and the column became.”

Louis Kahn

70

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

R

71

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• movement or procedure with uniform or patterned recurrence of a beat, accent, or the like;

• procedure marked by the regular recurrence of particular elements, phases, etc.

Scenario

Rhythm [rith-uhm]- noun

During the crit...

Tutor: Why explore an organic layout for your building?

You [student]: The organic layout encourages movement gradually revealing a rhythm which creates challenging interior and exterior spaces.

72

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Double Puzzle


Hint: Annual architecture event at the University.

73

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“To provide meaningful architecture is not to parody history but to articulate it.”

Daniel Libeskind

74

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

S

75

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• the external covering;• any integumentary covering, casing, outer coating,

or surface layer, as an investing membrane.

Scenario

Skin [skin]- noun

Abstract combo!Breathing skin

Tutor: Explain the materiality of your facade.

You [student]: The use of the mesh for the skin of the building provides an insight to the fragility and delicacy of the interior spaces.

76

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search with a Hidden Message

Search for the 7 given words and discover a hidden message withing the word search box!

architectkingdomqualifiedregisterregulatorstatutoryunited

Hint: United Kingdom’s statutory regulator of architects.

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

77

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.”

Philip Johnson

78

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

T

79

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• any place or point of entering or beginning;• the point at which a stimulus is of sufficient intensity

to begin to produce an effect.

Scenario

Threshold [thresh-ohld, thresh-hohld]- noun

When in doubt...

Explore the thresholds between public and private realms.

“The most poweful architectural moments he found in openings where one might pause suspended between dark and light, inside and outside or any two opposing qualities. These thresholds he describes as points of friction where two realms are simultaneously present yet unresolved in their diffferences.” (Louis aragon in Paris Peasant)

80

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 9 abstract architectural words beginning with the letter T.

transcendtransienttypology

texturetimelinetopography

tacittactilitytectonics

81

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“The house is passing from the status of “model” to “norm” - the norm being an indefinite and manipulative formula at the inter-section of lines of production and desire, a much more supple and fluid fabrication than a finite model. Such a tendency, as it is born from the fusion of technology an capital, seems to mark an effective dispersal of the Modernist architectural ego, and allows one to bring to imagine and alternative cultural tendency - a dif-ferent psychology of ‘house’.”

Decoi Architects

82

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

U

83

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• to bring out of a folded state; spread or open out;• to spread out or lay open to view;• to reveal or display. • to reveal or disclose in words, esp. by careful or

systematic exposition; set forth; explain.

Scenario

Unfold [uhn-fohld]- verb

Abstract combo!Unfolded RealityUnfolding Folds

Explore...

The initial concept of my project was that of unfolding instances within a community to explore and link these to an augmented scale.

84

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Cryptogram


Hint: Module taken in Second Year Architecture (also known as K13PM1).

85

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable.”

Louis Kahn

86

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

V

87

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• an empty space; emptiness;• something experienced as a loss or privation; • a gap or opening, as in a wall;• a vacancy; vacuum.

Scenario

Void [void]- noun

Abstract combo!Urban voids

Explore...

The city is made of multiple elements, containing both dense, populated spaces and voids, which in turn are still inhabited in its own absence.

88

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Labyrinth

Don’t work in a loop! Take a break and solve this maze by getting from point A to point B!

A B

89

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“On the search of the architecture that I envisage I frequently experience stifling moments of emptiness. Nothing I can think of seems to tally with what I want and cannot yet envisage.”

Peter Zumthor

90

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

W

91

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• to ramble without a definite purpose or objective; roam, rove, or stray;

• to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander;• to extend in an irregular course or direction; • to deviate.

Scenario

Wander [won-der]- ver

Explore this thought…

Architecture that wanders, that is, architecture not defined by a concrete moment but by a succession of spiral thoughts. Just like a flâneur, consider displacement, where time diffuses within space.

92

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Word Search

Search for 8 locations within the DA+BE!

ecohouseeeclentonfirsmarmontcentre

patonhousesrbvichallamzblock

93

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.”

Louis Kahn

94

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

X

95

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• (in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate sys-tem) the axis along which values of x are measured and at which both y and z equal zero.

Scenario

X-axis [eks-ak-sis]-feer]- noun

During the crit...

Tutor: Why orientate your building along this horizontal axis?

You [student]: Strategically positioned in the x-axis, this plane is the only perceptible element; its horizontal development dominates and redefines the movement into the landscape.

96

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Letter Tiles


Hint: Solve the acronym SRB.

97

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Less is a bore.” Robert Venturi

98

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Y

99

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• (used with object):• to give forth or produce by a natural process;• to give up or over; relinquish or resign;• to cause; give rise to.• (used without object):• to give way to force, pressure, etc., so as to move,

bend, collapse, or the like.

Scenario

Yield [yeeld]- verb

When introducting your exploration… The rapid growth of the city yields to a predominantly chaotic development, therefore, exploring delicate intri-cacies between this ‘chaos’ is the basis to my urban ex-ploration.

100

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Fallen Phrase


Hint: Professional association of architects in the United Kingdom.

101

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture is most appealing with simple lines and clear ideas. A city, on the other hand, becomes alive when it is rich with ex-periences and surprises. So the paradoxical challenge is to simul-taneously create simplicity and variety, diversity and coherence. In other words, to create a city in the building”

BIG 8 House Video, Bjarke Ingels

102

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Z

103

Dictionary

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

• any continuous tract or area that differs in some respect, or is distinguished for some purpose, from adjoining tracts or areas, or within which certain distinctive circumstances exist or are established.

Scenario

Zone [zohn]- noun

When analysing human interaction and society… The citizens were analysed through connections where they understand themselves as a multiple rather than as zoned and classified individuals, with the motivation of abolishing any racial segregation and differences which society suffers.

104

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Double Puzzle


Hint: Definition of architect.

105

Doodle Time!

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE


“Architecture aims at Eternity.“Christopher Wren

106

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

Analogical - Appropriation - Architectural Conversation - Articulation - Assymetric So-ciety - Balance - Behaviour - Breathing - Clar-ity - Complexity - Connection - Consistency - Contextual - Continuity - Contrast - Con-versation - Coordination - Cosmology - Dia-grammatic - Discourse - Dynamic - Embody - Emotion - Empower - Energy - Enhance - Envelope - Event - Experiential - Expression - Extension - Extract - Explore - Fenestra-tion - Fields of Influence - Flux - Framework - Fusion - Homogeneous - Honest - Iconic - Interaction - Juxtaposition - Latent - Matrix - Meandering - Mileage - Milieu - Moments - Movement - Network - Notion - Order - Parti - Perception - Place - Plasticity - Poetics of Space - Pragmatic - Representation - Reso-nance - Rhetoric - Speak - Spectrum - Tacit - Tactility - Tectonics - Texture - Timeline - Transcend - Transient - Typology - Unre-ciprocated - Void - Vernacular - Waves - Zone

107

NOTTS MY LANGUAGE

My definition of an Architect:Arch = chief or highest (i.e., archbishop, archetype = Master)tech = technique, technology (i.e., the Know-How)= Architect : Master of the Know-How!” Frank Lloyd Wright

“

notts my language

Documents