In materials construction, material selection comes before catalogs and specifications.
It must start from the siteis.
This is because there is a lot of information on-site that cannot be written on drawings.
Because there are countless of them.
Choosing materials without seeing the site is irrelevant to the designer's intentions.
There is a risk that this could lead to decisions that destroy the space.
The material does not stand alone.
An existence that comes into existence in a given situationis.
The material chosen without knowing the situation was
At some point, it throws the entire space off balance.
1 |The field is a repository of information
There is a huge amount of "raw information" at the site that does not appear on drawings or survey maps.
- A slight difference in ground elevation
- How the wind flows
- Noise volume
- Places where moisture tends to accumulate
- How to avoid the gaze
- Distance from neighbors
This is information that can only be known by being on-site.
And what's important is that this information
The act of picking up each element one by one becomes the basis of the design
That is the point.
In material architecture, the performance and appearance of materials
It depends on where and how you will use it.
In other words, the material is not decided in advance,
It depends on the situation on the groundThat's why.
2 | I take photos because I can't live at the site
Designers cannot live on site.
You need to bring back as much information as possible within the limited time available.
The most effective way to do this is tophoto shootis.
At the site, there is surprisingly little time to be able to observe quietly by yourself.
It can be difficult to pay attention to the details when you are busy with meetings and confirmations.
That's why I take lots of photos.
- Morning and evening
- Sunny and cloudy weather
- Rainy Day
- Changing the season
By shooting under as many different conditions as possible, the character of the site becomes more three-dimensional.
Then, I take a good look at the photos I took on my computer screen.
By observing through a screen, you can see things that you wouldn't have noticed on-site.
You may notice small inconsistencies or characteristics.
This work is not just about recording.
Important design actions to understand the big pictureis.
3 | Preconceptions destroy architecture
The most dangerous thing in design is assumptions.
Once you assume something is true, you unconsciously skip checking,
You may proceed with the design.
However, the design was carried out without properly checking the site.
At some point, it becomes clear that this was not true.
This will result in rework and have a major impact on the overall plan.
This is a very dangerous design move.
Assumptions creep in without us even realizing it.
That's why,Visit the site multiple times and check things multiple timesis required.
In material architecture, the accumulation of these confirmations supports the completeness of the space.
4 | The beginning is crucial - Considering things from perspectives other than architecture
Once architectural design begins, various specialists in the fields of structure, facilities, and construction work are involved.
We will look at the site from our own perspective and develop a plan.
Among these, what is often overlooked isNon-architectural perspectivesis.
for example,
- Tax treatment as a fixed asset
- Environmental Conservation Regulations
- Labor regulations during construction
- Legal relationships with neighbors
These do not appear to be directly related to the design of the space.
But in reality,Once construction begins or is completed,
It can have such an impact that it can destroy the space itself.
If you focus too much on choosing materials and proceed without thoroughly investigating these prerequisites,
Later on, major constraints may be imposed, forcing you to redo the design.
In material construction, the first step is
It is most important to look at the situation from multiple angles.
Summary: Selecting materials without seeing the actual site will inevitably lead to failure.
In material architecture, before considering the quality of the materials,
Do you understand the context in which the material will be placed?is asked.
Materials selected without seeing the site may appear to fit together well at first glance,
At some point it will appear as a sense of discomfort.
- Too strong for light
- Can't tolerate humidity
- Not in harmony with the surroundings
It's not that the material is bad,The result of placing the material in the wrong situationis.
Material architecture is about carefully reading the site and using materials that are appropriate for that location.
It is an architecture that is discovered.
The moment when choosing materials without looking at the actual site will destroy the space comes quietly but surely.
That is why Material Building designers visit the site multiple times and continue to check things.
It's not because I believe in the material.
Because we believe in the field.
Regarding material construction,
In light of the actual site and conditions
If you want to think about it,
From the inquiry form
Please contact us.
*We do not make unreasonable sales pitches or make proposals for immediate decisions.