LECTURE 11

ARTICLE READING

Is context today more important, less importance, or of the same importance as it was a century ago? Compare one contemporary case study and one case study from roughly a century ago.

Contextual architecture is simply an external element that influences the building and site both. Contextual factors include the nature of the surroundings that is natural and built elements. Basically the context determines the architectural style, building material selection and site layout, which is very important in creating an effective design. All these promote continuity between the building and local circumstances.

Moreover, Buildings itself do not exist in isolation. They are conceived to house, support, and inspire a range of human activities in response to social cultural, economic, and political needs, and are erected in natural and built environments that constrain as well as offer opportunities for development.

Based on my personal point of view, I think nowadays the context is as important as what it was a century ago, and it also include factors of local culture, weather condition, as well as political and economic constraints. All these take consideration on the site context in order to fit the building into the site, to make it as a whole. But in the other form, a century ago, a building which with the term of “contextual” is basically blend in together with the site, incorporate itself together with the site, it was seem to be less contrast. “Every design problem begins with an effort to achieve fitness between two entities: the form and its context which is formal, marked by its study of figure/ ground relationship.” Quoted by Adrian Forty.

The case studies below that showing the building with contextual between two-contrary environment of the era from the past and in the present:

Fallingwater House (1939)

The best example that I feel to show the contextual of the architecture from past is Fallingwater House by Frank Lloyd. He designed an extraordinary house known as Fallingwater that redefined the relationship between man, architecture, and nature. Wright wanted to create harmony between man and natural, and his integration of the house with the waterfall was successful in doing so. The house was meant to complement its site while still competing with the drama of the falls and their endless sounds of crashing water. The power of the falls is always felt, not visually but through sound, as the breaking water could constantly be heard throughout the entire house.