INTRODUCING ARCHITECTURAL TECTONICS Introducing Architectural Tectonics is an exploration of the poetics of construction. Tectonic theory is an integrative philosophy examining the relationships formed between design, con- struction, and space while creating or experiencing a work of architecture. In this text, author Chad Schwartz presents an introductory investigation into tectonic theory, subdividing it into distinct concepts in order to make it accessible to beginning and advanced students alike. The book centers on the tectonic analysis of 20 contemporary works of architecture, located in 11 countries, including Germany, Italy, the United States, Chile, Japan, Bangladesh, Spain, and Australia, and designed by such notable architects as Tadao Ando, Herzog & de Meuron, Kengo Kuma, Olson Kundig, and Peter Zumthor. Although similarities do exist between the projects, their distinctly different characteristics – location and climate, context, size, program, construction methods – and range of interpretations of tectonic expression provide the most significant lessons of the book, helping you to understand tectonic theory. Written in clear, accessible language, these investigations examine the poetic creation of architecture, showing you lessons and concepts that you can integrate into your own work, whether studying in a university classroom or practicing in a professional office. Chad Schwartz is an architect and educator currently serving as Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at Southern Illinois University, USA. He teaches both design and building technology, continually seeking to merge the two bodies of knowledge. His research focuses on the introduction of critical making, tectonic investigation, and design/build into the classroom. “Schwartz’s clear content outlines logic that designers can use for creating structures and choosing materials for their integrated designs. This logic makes these case studies relevant learning tools, particularly for younger design students.” Charlton N. Lewis, University of Texas at Austin, USA “This book fills the void between treating the concept of detailing and tectonics in a theoretical way, and focusing on construction practicalities. I particularly like the group- ing of architectural building types, and the projects are very appealing. The quality of the graphics is excellent and there are drawings at a variety of scales, explaining the details well and situating them within the overall building and site context.” Greg Johnson, University of British Columbia, Canada “This book provides a much-needed introduction to the themes of place and tectonics in architecture. The theoretical material forms the basis for in-class discussions, and the case study projects exemplify analytic methods that students can apply to additional cases as well as their own design projects.” Michael McGlynn, Kansas State University, USA “Schwartz appraises buildings critically with complete descriptions, useful photographs and drawings, balanced opinions, and no jargon. The book is both concise and a clearly written text on architectural theory, which is rare. This will help architecture students and designers move on from the superficiality of current fashion.” Angus Macdonald, University of Edinburgh, UK INTRODUCING ARCHITECTURAL TECTONICS Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction Chad Schwartz First published 2017 by Routledge 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 and by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2017 Taylor & Francis The right of Chad Schwartz to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data [CIP data] ISBN: 978-1-138-83343-2 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-138-83344-9 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-73546-7 (ebk) Acquisition Editor: Wendy Fuller Editorial Assistant: Grace Harrison Production Editor: Alanna Donaldson Typeset in Univers by Keystroke, Station Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton I dedicate this book to my parents, Roger and Judy Schwartz, for 38 years of unconditional love and support. 0.1 Peninsula House from the southeast, Sean Godsell Architects, Melbourne, Australia, 2002 [T]he primary principle of architectural autonomy resides in the tectonic rather than the scenographic: that is to say, this autonomy is embodied in the revealed ligaments of the construction and in the way in which the syntactical form of the structure explicitly resists the action of gravity. Kenneth Frampton, “Towards a Critical Regionalism,” 1998 Contents Foreword by Edward R. Ford xi Preface | Building a Foundation xv Acknowledgments xix Guiding Principles Introduction | Developing a Framework xxv Investigating the Tectonic | Unpacking the Guiding Principles xxxi Projects 01 Loblolly House | KieranTimberlake Associates | Taylor Island, Maryland, 1 United States Chapter written with Aaron Neal 02 Swiss Sound Box | Peter Zumthor | Hannover, Germany 17 03 Thorncrown Chapel | E. Fay Jones | Eureka Springs, Arkansas, United States 34 04 Government Canyon Visitor Center | Lake|Flato | San Antonio, Texas, 51 United States Chapter written with Suzanne Abell 05 Peninsula House | Sean Godsell Architects | Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, 65 Australia 06 Prayer Pavilion of Light | DeBartolo Architects | Phoenix, Arizona, United States 80 07 GC Prostho Museum Research Center | Kengo Kuma & Associates | 95 Kasugai, Aichi, Japan Chapter written with Aaron Neal 08 Parrish Art Museum | Herzog & de Meuron | Water Mill, New York, United States 110 09 Center of Gravity Foundation Hall | Predock_Frane Architects | Jemez Springs, 125 New Mexico, United States Contents 10 Chapel of Reconciliation | reitermann/sassenroth architekten | Berlin, Germany 139 11 Porciúncula La Milagrosa Chapel | Daniel Bonilla Arquitectos | La Calera, 154 Cundinamarca, Colombia 12 Arabian Library | richärd+bauer | Scottsdale, Arizona, United States 170 13 METI Handmade School | Anna Heringer and Eike Roswag | Rudrapur, 185 Bangladesh 14 Brain Studio | Olson Kundig Architects | Seattle, Washington, United States 201 Chapter written with Suzanne Abell 15 Chapel del Retiro | Undurraga Devés Arquitectos | Auco, Chile 216 16 Lanxi Curtilage Building | Archi-Union Architects | Chengdu, China 231 17 Punta della Dogana | Tadao Ando Architect & Associates | Venice, Italy 247 18 National Museum of Roman Art | Rafael Moneo | Mérida, Spain 263 19 Bruder Klaus Field Chapel | Peter Zumthor | Wachendorf, Eifel, Germany 279 20 Casa Tóló | Álvaro Leite Siza | Alvite, Vila Real District, Portugal 293 Supporting Materials Afterword | Reflections on an Exploration 313 Glossary 317 References 319 Project Credits 327 Figure Credits 335 Index 341 ix