What is the relationship between building & body today? Are buildings metaphors of the body; abstractions of the body; direct responses to the body; some combination of these; or something else?
ARTICLE READING
LECTURE 08
Couples come and go but a strong relationship, like human and architecture, is forever unbreakable. Architecture
is designed for human, and the human usage can define how good is a building functioning. To fit in human very well, a building design must consider the proportion of human body designed by nature and the measurements ofhuman scale. Referencing humankind in its entirety, Architectural Graphic Standards has traditionally depicted
the human form using simplified, abstract shapes as white and male. The human form was historically, and is
presently, linked to classical aesthetics in architecture, but has excluded different body types based on gender
and race. The physical characteristics of the human body is different based on sex, race, age, nationality,
occupation, and socioeconomic conditions. The consideration for diversity of human bodies is important because not all buildings are designed for white male and they should be included into human scale.
We have different sex, race, age, nationality, occupation, and socioeconomic conditions human being on earth, so when we design a building, we should put all of the considerations into it. If we only uses a white male body
figure to show the scale, it means that we only consider one specific type of human comfort and use, and that’s
not a good design at all. I think the way we respect and accept other differences, not only can improve the
spatial quality, but also showing how we respect architecture and a building itself, because architecture is for all
human being.
Fuji Kindergarten, a kindergarten located in Tachikawa, Japan, was built as a ring around a Zelkova tree with a
storied past. A glass, steel and wood construction closer to the tree itself lets children play and explore in the
kindergarten’s yard. The tree was a popular place for kids to climb and hang out. The surrounding building’s
windows face inwards at the tree so the children inside can see it all the time. For recess, or when they’re waiting
for their bus, the kids can play on the platforms around the tree. An adult would only see 2 floors on the structure,
but small meter-high levels give children places to explore where adults might not fit.
Great designs are not only for white walking man, I think it’s important to put disabled in consideration too, thus
the human scale should not be just standing or walking. This building shaped like tents is designed by talented
Japanese architect Issei Suma and is named “Jikka”, which features modern minimalism and a spiral-shaped
indoor pool. Jikka is not just a home. It is also a restaurant that is open to the public. There are even overnight
accommodations with on-site care for the elderly and the disabled. Suma designed Jikka for two women, both
in their 60s, who call the site home, but are also stewards of its many facets. One of the women is a social worker.
The other is a cook. Together, they are dedicated to providing services to the community, including a meal
service that delivers to the local town.
