Essay

Buildings today continue to move from static to fluid design, and this fluidity is expressed by integrating not only new materials with amazing behavioral properties, but also by pulling information patterns from a building’s context. Interestingly, it is this “pulling” of sorts that can bring architectural fluidity toward architectural adaptability.

So, what does it mean for a building to pull? And where might it pull from?

As we can see with the internet, our mass populations are collecting large quantities of information about the world in which we live — with cues about how we live in that world. As an architect, you should look upon such collections as proverbial goldmines, within which you can sift to find nuggets of collective wisdom for you designs.

Extracting information and capitalizing upon it can be easier said than done. A building that pulls information from the internet, a country’s population, a weather pattern or even a neighborhood’s political race, can range from “ingenious” all the way to “controversial”. Suddenly, your designed architecture space can find new ways to engage and interact with its surrounding contexts — and when executed correctly can help those that experience it.

Does an architecture that pulls from the masses merely act as a mirror? An interpreter? Or as the loyal opposition?

It’s all In the Stars

Just like the seemingly infinite array of patterns found in the sky above, you can use your building as an outward demonstration of what is otherwise be an intangible mass. The real question becomes…”How can “pulling” help your building to be better?”.

Over time, stars have served a multitude of purposes. Humans look to them for everything from night gazing for their beauty to life-dependent navigation. And similarly, architecture can do more than help people to “visualize” information — especially when that information is pulled into three- and four-dimensional form.

When there are masses, there are patterns — behavioral, emotional, inspirational spiritual and so on. Yes, it is important that you listen to the elite few as you design your buildings and push for them to exceed your last, but it will also help for you to take a look in the unexpected and untapped places where the “masses” congregate. Figure out how to pull that information into your architectural design, and then use that knowledge to equip yourself and your building to respond with not only elegant fluidity but humane and beautiful adaptability.

Image Credit: © NASA Goddard Photo and Video | Flickr