Introduction
It is intended that this
essay explore the possible synthesis or permeation of ideas about architectural
theory from Constructivism into Virtual Reality and more specifically Cyberspace.
The ideas of Constructivism and Cyberspace will be compared, with the hope
to provide readers with an informed understanding of futuristic movements
generally within architecture. This exploration will also provide a better
understanding and appreciation of the obstacles Virtual Reality and Cyberspace
may encounter through it's developmental stages. It is also aimed towards
exposing key elements in both their architectural agendas and manifestations,
which are espoused by the movement's key theorists.
It is hoped this type of study will demonstrate the benefit of employing different design methods to the same design problem, exposing new ways to approach problem solving. Subsequently these methods could be compared to traditional models which encourage the same design methods be applied to differing projects. This is a typological development of ideas and solutions, where 'design A' can be directly compared to 'design B' due to the controlled design process employed, for the synthesis and education of the designer.
Comparisons
If the key concerns of the
Constructivist movement were contemplated singularly, similarities are
identifiable within the concerns of current virtual design movements. The
primary concern for the Constructivists was the process by which designs
were enacted and in which manner. The Constructivists were trying to understand
what design was for, the method by which design occurred, models of the
design process and subsequently a means by which they could generally improve
design.
Constructivists such as Iakov Chernikhov explored the method of controlling design in laboratory type situations. Here students would examine design possibilities under controlled environments with a preset starting point and a defined end goal. The intention was to control the start and end of the design, placing greater interest and emphasis on the various processes employed in achieving the final design.
Similarly the virtual design field often employs this method, where the 'library of forms' idea is employed. Here the designer uses a process of exploration within a controlled environment, to develop a desired end result. The 'library of forms' method, has users exercising a process of elimination for reaching the final design, with all designs starting from the same point (a computer programme). Then uses a given formulae to eliminate those designs which do not solve the design problem, leaving the designs that do solve the design problem ready for further selection. This process is suggested by Marcos Novak, where the Cyberspace design is formulated by a process of elimination, where forms that do not meet the end goal are eliminated and a selection criteria is further applied to the ones that do. This design selection process continues or evolves until the final desired design solution is achieved.
| Image 2 & 3 These two images are from explorations using a common context, the Tatlin relief is one design taken from a class where all submissions had to be of a certain size and explore certain ideas. The second image took what were simple computer images of the globe, a services map etc and re arranged them into several different architectures. Both explore from a common starting point and develop along an observable framework. | |
Both movements faced technological restrictions. The Constructivists problems arose as a direct result of the political overtures that made Constructivism possible. Existing on the cutting edge of technology restricts the virtual movement. The architectural designer within the virtual areas has to wait for the apparatus by which their designs are for their designs to work. The Constructivists had technological problems with even subsistence living, hampering the possibility of implementation from any new design systems. The possibility of ideas being carried through to actuality within the Constructivist movement was restricted by current technology. The Constructivists were not concerned with that which was achievable with the current material possibilities, technological know-how and time constraints. The Cyberspace designers are limited also by what products are available to implement designed worlds. Whilst it is important to recognise the limitations of ideas not exercised, it is just as vital that the creation process not be hampered by the menial tasks encountered.
The Constructivist movement explored the use of types within architecture. This idea has been assimilated in the promotion of types in the design for virtual environments. Types offer a means of references for users of virtual environment, who demand that, the spaces they inhabit change instantly with the demands of the user. Types help facilitate this change, by facilitating the process of prediction and pattern. A type of user could be identified, or a type of facility common to an area could be consistently demanded. Types offer the means to clarify and promote change within the use of "liquid architecture".
| Image 4 & 5 Theses images by Chernikhov and Campbell respectively highlight both movement's concern with dynamic spaces. Another primary concern is the orientation of users in dynamic space using symbols and icons as locators. |   |
Another similarity lies in the Constructivist idea of experience for all bodily senses including touching, hearing and feeling space. Constructivists explored what in architecture pleased mankind, then designing to those responses accordingly. The virtual reality movement is similarly aligned with influences arising from people such as McLuhan and Novak. These theorists suggest that sensory pleasure of architecture is given new prominence within the spectrum of virtual design. A new appreciation of time, music, movement and rhythm are expected within virtual environments, or as McLuhan would suggest "to experience the whole". In Virtual Reality the aim is also to discover and synthesize virtual environments and their attributes, mixing new ways to expose the senses within the new architecture.
Both movements promote designs with flexibility. The Constructivists placed great effort in designing architecture that would facilitate both the needs of society, today and tomorrow. Similarly, Cyberspace designers place a strong emphasis on flexibility. Virtual environments aim to generate designs that will suit the needs of the hour, day, week and has the ability to change according to the functional demands of the user. Design that is experienced anew with every encounter, which has flow on consequences where the architecture formed requires the input of the user and exhibits 'liquid' qualities. The Constructivists theorised 'form is unknown function X', where the 'X' is in a constant evolution.
| Image 6 & 7 Image 6 illustrates Chernikhov's musical composition of illusion, with careful consideration givent to rhythm, structure and colour. With image 7 demonstrating Novak's archimusic composition, Dancing with the Virtual Dervish. |   |
Following the idea of 'X' and 'liquid' architecture, both movements place great emphasis towards architecture being seen as a performance. Constructivism saw architecture as a part of society’s evolution, it should change and evolve as society does, changing to suit the needs of society. Virtual environments have the ability to enact this change per second, with the environment and the user continuously interacting to create, evolve or change the environment being used. The architecture has performance qualities, where the experience with a given design will vary over the life span of both the user and the design itself.
Constructivism considered the dynamic appearance or motions of architecture an important part to designing. Architecture was considered part of the motions of society. Buildings should move or have dynamic qualities similar to societies, where change was an expected norm. Cyberspace encourages motion by requiring that users actually explore they travel through virtual environments. Whilst Cyberspace does not have natural gravity, it requires a means of locating the user as he/she travels.
| Image 8 & 9 The tew images illustrate the Chernikhov and Novak priority on images that convey the idea of dynamic space. Spaces that evolve, or are in flux, here form is a function 'X' or 'liquid' architecture. |   |
Constructivist texts often mention that architecture had undergone a violent eruption from its inner essence (Tecktonika, Faktura, Konstrucktsiia), which implied that there was a shift in the architectural canon. Architecture was designed from a shifted perspective, which was altered by the events of the revolution. Cyberspace theorists believe there has also been a 'temporal' shift in the way architecture is to be designed and experienced. Virtual environments are thought to now arrive from a new perspective on space and the way in which we inhabit it.
The use of history is similar to both movements. The Constructivists considered history as a typological reference, and whilst the styles used may not have been relevant, historical works had merit and Constructivists considered it essential that young architects understand the past as a reference for the future. Similarly Cyberspace theorists often encourage the use of past architecture for the analysis of space and the exploration of types that may have use in new creations.
Dismembering and Reassembly is another part of Constructivism, which has correlation with the Virtual movement. Constructivists dismembered designs and the design brief, analysing each element and its worth to the entire project. Then a process of reassembling the project took place with a new sense of direction and motivation, for what was to be achieved by the end design. Virtual architecture is also dismembering all existing architectural ideas and reappraising their worth in digital forms. Virtual architects re-evaluate all architectural ideas with a new order placed on all the ideas.
Each design movement places great importance on it's own epoch. The Constructivists believed that their design forms found inspiration in the machine, their zeitgeist. The machine was to be examined with architecture being created from the apparent linear associations. Today Cyberspace uses the computer as a zeitgeist, where networks, data bits and bytes are seen as the way in which designs are organised. Cyberspace is architecture digitised into bits, which exist on networks.
Go to Section one Function 'X'
Go to Section two Liquid reality
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