Tuesday, August 7, 2012

"Change or Perish" by Thom Mayne


Change or Perish
By Thom Mayne

This article reads as a manifesto on the future of architecture. Thom Mayne takes the very strong stance that if architects do not adapt and evolve with the advances of technologies and the way they can change design process, then architecture will “perish.” He claims that computer modeling has changed the way architects design, that two dimensional representation such as plans are sections are “dead” because with computer modeling the architects can view design in whole, what he calls a “new totality.” It’s interesting that this resonated with the previous readings where the authors also claim technology is allowing the architects to reclaim their status as builders, because with these new tools there is much more control, and emphasis on, construction methods. The authors talk about architecture as a representation of making and rather than as one-dimensional ideas that are often concentrating on style. “Survive or Perish,” is his message. Although that is very blunt, it seems to make absolute sense. The older ways of thinking and producing just don’t seem to compare with these newer methodologies.

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