Re: evolution and aesthetics
2003.09.22 12:29
Paul asks: But where is the principle in architecture which is equivalent to that of mathematics? If there had been one - why would we have styles which change throughout history. Where is this constant here? How does it show itself in history?
Steve replies: Earth's gravity is for sure a constant [force] that all architecture has to contend with. For example, although styles change, the predominant notion of floors being level doesn't. [How does an arch best resist gravity? Via it being rounded or via it being pointed?]
Another constant [force] that architecture always (has to) deal with is climate, and the fact that climate varies significantly dependent on location may well explain why (for most of its history) architecture (style) varies significantly dependent on location. [Odd/funny how a great many of the buildings designed and executed today strive to have a constant climate inside regardless of where the building is outside.
["What climate does the inside of your building reenact?" ]
["I love how your design pointedly reenacts a resistance to gravity."]
[Perhaps Disney's greatest achievement is the making of lots of money reenacting reenactments.]
["What New Urbanism is doing is great. We should reenact that reenactment here."]
["This is my greatest design yet! It reenacts both evolution and aesthetics!"]
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