When architectural planning begins, the first thing that happens in many projects is to look at a catalog.
It looks like a guidepost for rationally proceeding with construction, including insulation materials, flooring materials, fixtures, and equipment.
However, in materials construction, construction rarely begins with this "catalog selection."
It's not because material construction is inefficient or outdated.
The construction methods themselves are fundamentally different between material architecture and catalog architecture.That's why.
1 |In material architecture, the material "already exists"
The natural materials used in material architecture basically already exist in this world.
Earth, wood, stone, plaster, they are all made into finished products in factories.
It is a material that has existed as part of nature.
Material building design doesn't start with "which product to choose."
The first question to ask is,What qualities of this material do you want to bring out?That is our decision.
・Should we leave the roughness of the soil or suppress it?
- Should you show the knots and uneven color of the wood, or trim them?
- Should I emphasize the weight of the stone or let it recede into the background?
Based on this judgment, we carried out repeated test construction and adjusted the finishing method,
The process of "creating" the material itselfwill begin.
In material architecture, materials are not something to be chosen;
It is something that grows together with architecture.
2 | Catalog Architecture: "The answer comes the moment you make a choice"
On the other hand, in catalog construction, once you select a product,
Performance, price, and delivery date are almost fixed.
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
It is easy to manage the budget and maintain consistent quality.
But at the same time, there is a big premise involved.
it is,The architecture is tailored to the product.That is what it means.
In keeping with the materials and components that are supposed to be part of the architecture,
We change the dimensions, change the fit, and modify the design.
As a result, the entire buildingA collection of pre-made partsIt will become like this.
While catalogue architecture is efficient, it is also architecture that is based on the premise of patchwork.
3. Material architecture matches materials to the building itself
In material architecture, the order is reversed: first there is the overall structure of the building,
Our nature is to adjust materials and parts to suit this flow.
・Change the thickness
・Change the finishing method
・Measurements can be adjusted on the spot
This adjustment is possible because natural materialsA flexible beingThat's why.
As a result, material architecture creates a consistent tone throughout the space.
The walls, floors, ceilings, and fixtures are all subtly individual,
However, it creates a space with a definite presence.
This is a quality that cannot be achieved by simply piling up partial optimizations.
4. The role of blueprints is fundamentally different
In catalog architecture, blueprints are the final deliverable for coordination.
How to deliver ready-made products?
Where do you adjust the dimensions?
To do this, the blueprints are very detailed.
And once the blueprint is complete, it becomes difficult to change.
On the other hand, in material construction, blueprints areA tool for showing directionIt will be closer to.
The appearance of natural materials and the final finish cannot be fully depicted through drawings alone.
Therefore, even after the design drawings are completed, the designer, client, and construction workers (craftsmen)
The construction will be completed while continuing to make adjustments on site.
In material construction,The design isn't finished until it's completeYou could say that.
5 | If the manufacturing process is different, the finished product will be different
It's not a question of which is correct, material architecture or catalog architecture.
However, if the manufacturing process is different, the finished product will naturally be different.
・Architecture that is decided in advance
・Architecture developed on-site
This difference is clearly evident in the atmosphere of the space once completed.
In material architecture, slight fluctuations and unevenness add depth to the space.
In catalogue architecture, uniformity and orderliness create a sense of security.
The choice of which to make depends on the client's values.
6 | Material architecture is not "100% natural materials"
Although it is often misunderstood, material architecture is not architecture that is constructed entirely from natural materials.
There will always be parts that use pre-made products, such as equipment, hardware, and lighting.
The important thing is,The proportion and how to handle itis.
When natural materials are used primarily, on-site adjustments are essential.
As a result, the number of times designers visit the site has increased,
This will require repeated decisions with the client and the contractor.
Material architecture is not "architecture that is completed with design,"
Architecture completed through relationshipsThat's why.
Summary: Understanding architecture as an "organism"
We aim to complete architecture as a single organism.
I believe this is the goal of material architecture.
It breathes as a whole, not as a collection of parts,
It changes over time and matures as it is used.
To achieve this, materials cannot be treated simply as products.
It is necessary to face the material itself, communicate with it on-site, and make repeated adjustments.
This attitude may be the biggest difference between us and catalogue architecture designers.
Material construction doesn't start with choosing a catalog.
Architecture that begins with confronting the architecture itselfThat's why.