Research task 2: Architecture is everywhere

Undertake some research into artists and designers who have challenged and embraced the perception of scale in their work. As a starting point, search online for Sou Fujimoto’s Architecture is Everywhere experiments with scale, or Claes Oldenburg’s giant binoculars. You could also look for food shaped fast-food diners or the Longaberger Company’s basket building in America, or BIG’s Lego House in Denmark.

Document your research in your learning log, and reflect on how they challenge your ideas of scale.

After briefly researching Sou Fujimoto and Claes Oldenburg I stumbled across Felipe De Castro’s work.

Felipe De Castro is a Brazilian architectural designer who finds inspiration for building designs in everyday objects. In fig. 1 and fig 2. below we can see examples of his work and what objects he based his designs on. Simply brilliant! His Instagram page is full of his unusual ideas fed by usual objects. I simply cannot include too much here but feel free to check it out (Felipe de Castro (@felipedecastro.arq) • Instagram photos and videos )

There are several London skyscrapers shaped like everyday objects these include The Walkie Talkie, The Shard, The Gherkin and The Cheese Grater. I wonder if the architects showed the objects to their clients during the sales pitch or whether they mentioned them just in the name.

The Walkie Talkie (20 Fenchurch Street) by Rafael Vinoly became infamous for melting cars (through concentrating reflected sunrays) and it is alleged it creates a strong downright draft. Even though melting problem has been repaired by installing nets on the building it has been awarded the 2015 Carbuncle Cup for Britain ugliest building. I quite like the way it looks, especially the antennas on the roof going with the whole walkie talkie theme. It is unfortunate that not all design shapes can be implemented without causing harm to the surroundings.

The Shard, reminds me especially of the object it is named after at night, when it is glowing in the night sky. The building has been designed by Renzo Piano and the building was completed in 2012.

The Gherkin (30 St. Mary Axe) has been designed by Norman Foster and the works finished in 2004.

The Leadenhall Building has been designed by Roger Strirk Harbour + Partners and works completed in 2014. The building has been nicknamed ‘The Cheesegrater’ as it looks like a giant kitchen tool. At least this one reflects the sunshine upwards, not downwards like the walkie talkie.

The last piece of my research is a church in Taiwan. It was constructed in 2016. Allegedly its shape is supposed to attract women. It is not supposed to be used for usual mass but for weddings etc. I am not sure how I feel about this building, but there’s something for everyone!

List of illustrations:

Fig. 1 Felipe De Castro (2020) Automatic Pencils Skyscrapers. [Drawing and Photograph] At: https://cdn.sortra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/felipedecastroillustartion009.jpg (accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 2 Felipe De Castro (2020) Lever Arch Building. [ Drawing and Photograph0 At: https://cdn.sortra.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/felipedecastroillustartion011.jpg (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 3 Secret London (2020) The Walkie Talkie. [Photograph] At: https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretldn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/18081416/walkie-talkie-charity-walk.jpg (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 4 Guttridge, N. (2013) The Shard. [Photograph] At: https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/01/dezeen_The-Shard-by-Renzo-Piano-photographed-by-Nick-Guttridge_3.jpg (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 5 Foster and Partners (2022) 30 St Mary Axe Elevation. [Drawing] At: https://www.fosterandpartners.com/media/2636967/1004_fp489566_indesign.jpg?width=1920&quality=85 (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 6 Bryant, R. (2014) The Leadenhall Building. [Photograph] At: https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5410/992b/c07a/80b1/d700/0060/slideshow/3510_N3509.jpg?1410373879 (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Fig. 7 Getty Images (2016) The Glass Slipper Church. [Photograph] At: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/8C3E/production/_87720953_gettyimages-504954048.jpg (Accessed 06/02/2022]

References:

Archdaily (2014) The Leadenhall Building / Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. At: https://www.archdaily.com/547041/the-leadenhall-building-rogers-stirk-harbour-partners (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Chen, H., Tsoi, G. (2016) The giant glass slipper church of Taiwan. At: The giant glass slipper church of Taiwan – BBC News (Accessed 06/02/2022)

O’Sullivan, F. (2015) London’s Worst Building. At: The Walkie Talkie Really Is London’s Worst Building – Bloomberg (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Proto, L (2015) Carbuncle Cup 2015: Walkie Talkie skyscraper named as Britain’s ugliest building. At: Carbuncle Cup 2015: Walkie Talkie skyscraper named as Britain’s ugliest building | London Evening Standard | Evening Standard (Accessed 06/02/2022)

Velkjovic, M.  (2020) Urban Architect Enjoys Transforming Everyday Objects into Unusual Buildings. At: Urban Architect Enjoys Transforming Everyday Objects into Unusual Buildings (sortra.com) (Accessed 06/02/2022)