Process and Expression in Architectural Form (Bruce Alonzo Goff Series in Creative Architecture, Vol 1)

244 Pages·1994·10.54 MB·English

by  Gunnar Birkerts

Process and Expression in Architectural
title: Form Bruce Alonzo Goff Series in Creative
Architecture ; V. 1
author: Birkerts, Gunnar.
publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
isbn10 | asin: 0806126450
print isbn13: 9780806126456
ebook isbn13: 9780585194400
language: English
Birkerts, Gunnar--Themes, motives,
Architectural design, Gunnar Birkerts &
subject
Associates, Organic architecture,
Architectural practice, International.
publication date: 1994
lcc: NA737.B53A4 1994eb
ddc: 720/.92
Birkerts, Gunnar--Themes, motives,
Architectural design, Gunnar Birkerts &
subject: Associates, Organic architecture,
Architectural practice, International.
Page i
Process and Expression in Architectural Form
The Bruce Alonzo Goff Series in Creative Architecture
Page iii
Process and Expression in Architectural Form
Gunnar Birkerts
Afterword By
James L. Kudrna
Page iv
Publication of this volume is made possible, in part, through the
generous support of the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in
the Fine Arts and the University of Oklahoma Foundation.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Birkerts, Gunnar.
Process and expression in architectural form / Gunnar Birkerts;
afterword by James L. Kudrna.
p. cm. (The Bruce Alonzo Goff series in creative architecture; v. 1)
ISBN 0-8061-2642-6 hc 0-8061-2645-0 pb
1. Birkerts, GunnarThemes, motives. 2. Architectural design.
3. Gunnar Birkerts & Associates. 4. Organic architecture.
5. Architectural practice, International. I. Title. II. Series.
NA737.B53A4 1994
720´.92dc20 93-40030
CIP
Designed by Carol Haralson
Volume 1 in The Bruce Alonzo Goff Series in Creative Architecture
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and
durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book
Longevity of the Council on Library Resources, Inc.
Copyright ©1994 by Gunnar Birkerts.
Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman,
Publishing Division of the University. All rights reserved.
Manufactured in the U.S.A.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Page v
For Sylvia, my wife,
my daughter Andra,
my sons Erik and Sven Peter
Page vii
CONTENTS
Preface ix
The Design Process
Organic Architecture 3
The Process of Organic Synthesis 6
Creativity 9
The Art of Visualization 10
The Brain 12
Sketching: Expressing the Vision 14
Experience and Starting the Engine 15
Self-Confidence 17
Getting Ready for the Sweep of the Leap 18
Using Your Own Background 21
Influences from the Zeitgeist 22
Context 24
The Process in Practice 32
Clients as Part of the Process 35
The Residential Client 35
Thomas S. Monaghan and Domino's Farms 38
Domino's Tower 42
Marge House 46
The Client as a Committee 46
The Contractor and Technology 52
Postscript 54
Page viii
Portfolio
Built Projects
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis 57
Law School Library Addition, University of Michigan 64
Museum of Glass, Corning, New York 69
Projects Demonstrating Design Process
Residence, San Francisco, California 74
Central Library Addition, University of California, San 78
Diego
Law School Addition, Ohio State University, Columbus 84
United States Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela 90
Humanities Faculties, University of Torino, Torino, Italy 100
Novoli Multi-Use Center, Florence, Italy 110
National Library, Riga, Latvia 120
Honors College Building, Western Michigan University, 136
Kalamazoo
Sports and Civic Stadium, Venice, Italy 142
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, 150
Kansas City Art Institute, Missouri
Afterword 164
James L. Kudrna
About the Author 165