23 Originally Published 11/2/16
Growing up around contractors and day laborers you learn how to do a couple of things. And if you’re a kid with no where better to be and likes hanging out around construction sites you can also learn how to build a house. Starting from a flat piece of untouched land and ending with a home. Earlier in the history of the this fine nation it was considered required knowledge for any “right thinking man” to have. But now…?
When was the last time you fixed your own leaky sink or replaced the fuse box of your home. I’d wager more than half of the folks out there never have done either or would not know where to start. Either by circumstance (not having a fuse box or sink) or lack of need. (I’ll call the repair guy.)
Growing up around contractors and day laborers you learn how to do a couple of things. And if you’re a kid with no where better to be and likes hanging out around construction sites you can also learn how to build a house. Starting from a flat piece of untouched land and ending with a home. Earlier in the history of the this fine nation it was considered required knowledge for any “right thinking man” to have. But now…?
When was the last time you fixed your own leaky sink or replaced the fuse box of your home. I’d wager more than half of the folks out there never have done either or would not know where to start. Either by circumstance (not having a fuse box or sink) or lack of need. (I’ll call the repair guy.)
But that’s not what makes me count Architecture as a skill in my wheelhouse.
First, not what I did first but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for a way to jump in, read
The PIllars of Earth.” By Nick Follette. It’s a heavy read and can be less than riveting if you’re not into historical fiction, but….it is historical. It talks a lot about the “why” and “how” of building. How was it done? Why was it done?
The PIllars of Earth.” By Nick Follette. It’s a heavy read and can be less than riveting if you’re not into historical fiction, but….it is historical. It talks a lot about the “why” and “how” of building. How was it done? Why was it done?
Now take that, do all of the necessary due diligence on construction materials, environmental needs, and construction scaling. (Scaling your building materials and designs to fit the place of construction.) and then go “read” the world.
“Reading the World” on a topic,
In my mind, means keeping a topic at the forefront of my mind as I observe the world around me. Through these observations I can apply perspectives to things that may not be usually associated with a given topic.
Like looking at a park as a form of architecture. Or seeing what architectural principles a child uses intrinsically while playing with blocks.
While “reading the world” for architecture yourself I recommend; Crawling on, around, and through any building people will let you, and then find pictures of the ones you can’t. If there is a strange building material associated in a photos description, or the structure you are observing doesn’t allow physical interaction for one reason or another, try to find something else made of that material to touch and handle.
While “reading the world” for architecture yourself I recommend; Crawling on, around, and through any building people will let you, and then find pictures of the ones you can’t. If there is a strange building material associated in a photos description, or the structure you are observing doesn’t allow physical interaction for one reason or another, try to find something else made of that material to touch and handle.
Nothing tells you more about the density, stability, and structure of an object like running your hands over it. Sure there are a myriad of tests and observations one can make with tools and other instrumentation. To feel the texture of a stone and know that it is heavy or light. Dense or aerated. All figured in less than the blink of an eye. Brains are neat.
Note: the human brain is one of the most amazing tools of observation that anyone has. After holding a piece of concrete most people and animals can figure out that a large piece of that material falling on them or coming at them with speed will, at the very least, not be something that they want to experience the impact of if it can be avoided.
And these considerations and conclusions are all drawn without knowing how much concrete is in a structure, what the exact weight of a falling piece might be, or actually having seen a piece of concrete strike someone with force. The brain makes those calculations, considerations, and runs through the possibilities without foreknowledge or prompting. Then taking those calculations and considerations the body “knows” to move out from underneath a precariously perched piece of stone.
All without knowing what, exactly, concrete is. Or knowing what kind of sand was used in the mixing. Or any of the other details that can better define the piece concrete in your hand.
And these considerations and conclusions are all drawn without knowing how much concrete is in a structure, what the exact weight of a falling piece might be, or actually having seen a piece of concrete strike someone with force. The brain makes those calculations, considerations, and runs through the possibilities without foreknowledge or prompting. Then taking those calculations and considerations the body “knows” to move out from underneath a precariously perched piece of stone.
