0 comments
P07: Taboo and Transgression: Architecture & Desire
The Pleasure of Architecture.
For generations, architects who aimed to experience pleasure in architecture were considered decadent. Architecture conservations of politic, moral and social have restricted the way of architecture which challenges our notion of taboo and transgression. Fragments of geometry, mask, bondage, excess and eroticism are all to be considered as pleasure of architecture not only within the reality of ideas but also in the reality of spatial experience.
01: A double pleasure reminder.
The pleasure of space and the pleasure of geometry. It is a form of experience which cannot be put into words - the presence of absence while the latter is the pleasure of concept which being governed by proportion and guided by rule and compass. The two are well complimenting each other in order to achieve the pleasure of architecture.
02: Gardens of pleasure.
A combination of both architectural elements and orders which served as the reminder of reasons. Gardens also often reflect the history of the cities where for example; Renaissance gardens were applied to the squares and colonnades of Renaissance cities. Gardens are the result of experimenting indescribable architecture and order. Gardens merge the sensual pleasure of space with the pleasure of reason.
03: Pleasure and necessity.
From the point of view of utility which close related to the term of necessity, architecture provides shelter to guards man's health, protects their property and works only for safety, repose and good order of civil life. But to doubt the necessity of architecture in this generation or future, the necessity may as well non-necessity because of the financial dependency. For example, if man become richer, the necessity will increase. Soon, non-necessity may as well describe as necessity because of the financial ability.
04: Metaphor of order - bondage.
The game of architecture is an intricate play with rules that one may accept or reject. Bondage which is also constraint in design may as well become an order to a new design. The more constraints, the possibility of reaching pleasure in architecture is greater.
05: Rationality.
The classical vocabulary of architecture is form of bondage. Similar with the previous fragment, the bondage somehow is the order. Treating classical elements as fragmented and decaying symbols, extreme of irrationality may becomes rationality.
06: Eroticism.
Eroticism does not mean simple the pleasure of the senses. Eroticism is not the excess of pleasure but the pleasure of excess. The pleasure of architecture contains and dissolve both mental constructs and sensuality. Not by space or concepts but the junction between both.
07: Metaphor of seduction - the mask.
Illusion creates seduction, seduction creates pleasure. By describing facade as an architectural mask, it creates imagination and illusion. Thus, curiosity about the reality is created. Mask seduce man's wish to read the reality behind.
08: Excess.
The pleasure of architecture lies in the most forbidden parts of the architectural act where limits are perverted and prohibitions are transgressed. I somehow agree with this statement. Architecture is interesting when it masters the art of disturbing illusions.
09: Architecture of pleasure.
The architecture of pleasure lies where concept and experience of space coincide, culture of architecture deconstructed endlessly and rules are transgressed. If the real significance of architecture lies outside utility or purpose and not necessarily aimed at giving pleasure, it is perverse.
10: Advertisement for architecture.
Architecture is a function of both sensual experience and rational concepts. Therefore, it cannot be experienced through paper space. It is through language, giving hints behind the architecture. Architecture cannot be felt through drawings and words. Its hiding and this unveiling is part of the pleasure of architecture that to be experienced.
11: Desire / fragments
Fragments are visible, both real and virtual. They are in between. Desire is never seen, it remained constant.
Desire creates fragments and fragments lies between desire. These two cant be separated in order to create the pleasure of architecture.
* Seriously, I have no idea what I have wrote about @@
0 comments
Field Trip: Asthetics, Ruins & Space
Kellie's Castle, A wish that never to be realized...
It is believed that this huge mansion of six stories high was originally built for William Kellie Smith's family and as the hub of the social life for the area's wealthy colonial planters and administrators. Completed with rooftop, wine cellar and elevator which believed to be the first at Malaya at the time, showing that William Smith was rich and was among the wealthy society at that time.Unfortunately, this mansion was never to be completed. On a visit to Lisbon, he succumbed to pneumonia and died. This mansion remained incomplete, a wish that never to be realized...
From the information, it is believed that the idea / concept that William Kellie Smith had for this mansion is to provide a home for his family after the birth of his son. He was trying to give protection besides the comfort at the mansion. From what i have found out during the site visit, there are tunnels and escape exists at every room that linked to outside. The mansion was built just beside the Kellas House where that was the first house of Smith at Malaya.
Besides, it was supposed to served as a hub for the society. As we can see, there is a rooftop courtyard which initially planned to use for parties. Smith was trying to make his mansion a place where wealthy people meets and in further, cooperate in business.
In addition as a meeting place, the huge building compound and size is also a signal of Smith trying to express his wealthiness to the society. The Moorish style of architecture which consisted of columns and arches add more into the 'luxury feel' of the mansion.
The mansion was restored to its original state because the authorities are trying to maintain the building as perfect as it was when Smith left. The mansion was left incomplete and therefore, the construction work was never continue because Smith's wife had sold the mansion and estate that Smith once owned to a British company. As for me, the incomplete part of mansion adding a sense of pitiful to the building. Pity in the sense of, this mansion was once Smith's dream house where family members and friends can gather and meet. But luck doesn't always on one's side, after he passed away, the mansion was left incomplete. A wish that never to be realized.. sigh.
In my opinion, it is beautiful.
1. the beauty of materials
The use of exposed bricks in the building gives an effect of combination between man made and nature. I like it :)
2. beauty as a home
The space within the mansion showing how caring Smith was to actually created spaces that linked both son and daughter rooms and how they connected to the master room where Smith and his wife supposed to be.
3. playing with sunlight and openings
In a particular room, there are holes on wall which i think were created for ventilation purposes. To my surprise, i saw sunlight penetrated through the holes to the room. It is interesting to see how light moving from this hole to another according the location of Sun.
4. the building technology
The technology used to build the mansion was brilliant. With limited help from mechanical devices, Smith managed to erect the building up to six stories with just man power.
5. beauty of views
The views from rooftop courtyard that foresee the estate which Smith once owned and the Kellas House. This can be understand that Smith has a vision of expanding his career but not forgetting where he starts from. From the small Kellas House to the Kellie's Castle where he stands.
Sketch
In this corridor, i can imagine if this mansion was completed, Smith and his wife will be standing along the corridor during sunset and enjoy the views around the mansion. Yellow represent warm and with the completion of mansion, warmness of a family can be feel.
In my opinion, the spaces in the mansion create a feeling of 'Wealth'. Huge mansion, columns, arches and long corridors; these are the elements that made the mansion giving a feeling of luxury. Although it is incomplete but from the spaces, luxuriousness can be felt.
As i stand in the castle, i can feel Smith tried to give the best for his family. The best environment for his children, the best home, the best place for them as they were in foreign country, away from home. Warmness of a home can be felt.
