ARCHIBALD ! !

... FINALLY, HE BECOMES A CARTOON CHARACTER!!SO DEAR ARCHITECT FRIENDS, PLZ KEEP YOURSELF AWAY FROM ARCHIBALD PHILOSOPHY .. .. ..

CADはデコンの原因であるか. . . !?
2 years ago in the celebration party of my JIA design award,Mr.Takeda,a welknown face to Japanese architects as a Contemporary Theorist and Critic, asked me about my design background and Architectural Education in Bangladesh.He was eager to know,how western architecture has influenced the oriental architects and students to follow (and often to make replica!!) it's styles in their local practice; or in other words,trends of architecture in 3rd world countries.I just can remember I talked a lot about contemporarty trends of architecture in Bangladesh,though I myself didn't have schooling background in any Bangladeshi arch.school.Meanwhile I was introduced with some Japanese architects worked in Bangladesh and quite aware of recent state of Architecture in Dhaka.Their experience was really shocking!!One of them told me Dhaka is becoming a city of Replica Architecture,very few architects are working honestly in an ethical way of practice.Can you imagine how did I feel at that time?!
Anyway,I just want to say,'Making good replica of a famous building' can never be treated as Architectural practice.So please never make any comment on it.
Sorry for running far from the topic!!Just want to talk about 'Deconstruction ' vs.'CAD'.

• Deconstructivism in architecture, also called deconstruction, is a development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s. It is characterized by ideas of fragmentation, non-linear processes of design, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's surface or skin, and apparent non-Euclidean geometry which serve to distort and dislocate some of the elements of architecture, such as structure and envelope. The finished visual appearance of buildings that exhibit the many deconstructivist "styles" is characterised by a stimulating unpredictability and a controlled chaos.
  Originally, some of the architects known as Deconstructivists were influenced by the ideas of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida. Eisenman, developed a personal relationship with Derrida, but even so, his approach to architectural design was developed long before he became a Deconstructivist. For him Deconstructivism should be considered an extension of his interest in radical formalism. Deconstructivism was also influenced by the formal experimentation and geometric imbalances of Russian constructivist. There are additional references in deconstructivism to 20th-century movements: the modernism/postmodernism interplay, expressionism, cubism, minimalism and contemporary art. The attempt in deconstructivism throughout is to move architecture away from what its practitioners see as the constricting 'rules' of modernism such as "form follows function", "purity of form", "truth to materials".
  Computer aided design(CAD) is now an essential tool in most aspects of contemporary architecture, but the particular nature of deconstrucivism makes the use of computers especially pertinent. Three-dimensional modelling and animation (virtual and physical) assists in the conception of very complex spaces, while the ability to link computer models to manufacturing jigs (CAM - Computer Aided manufacturing) allows the mass production of subtly different modular elements to be achieved at affordable costs. In retrospect many early deconstructivist works appear to have been conceived with the aid of a computer, but were not; Zaha Hadid's sketches for instance. Also, Gehry is noted for producing many physical models as well as computer models as part of his design process. Though the computer has made the designing of complex shapes much easier, not everything that looks odd is "deconstructivist."
  

In that party I was asked by some other people,why my presentation board looked like that...why it's not like other Japanese perticipants,etc.As a blind fan of Morphosis I myself was not too sure,whether it's influence of Deconstructivists(not programmatic rather in formal decons't approch) or using 3d simulation softwares as my design tool.Whatever the reason behind,I am sure about my method that never proves me as a Deconstructivist.

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have found the soul walking upon my path." For the soul walks upon all paths. ..
KAHLIL GIBRAN(the prophet)

TOKYO SKETCH-BOOK
sketchーⅢ

May,2oo4. Golden-Week vacation ! Just got relief to take breath !!So,one sunny bright late Spring morn' wanted to hang out with my new city !! DESTINATION=Tokyo Int'l Forum,the one and only renowned work of Rafael Vinolly.I had never heard anything about this Uruguayan Architect before I attened Hatano sensei's "Contemporary Architecture" lectures.Anyway,after a long 1:30 hour Chuo-trip I could reach there(including my lost-time for track hunting!!!) And just after a while I forgot everything and got myself sunk into the magic world of those green terrace,boat-shaped gigantic atrium and the concert halls.It's better not to talk about my first impression about the work,cause there's a mere possibility to be get out of it!!Let me talk about the back ground of the competition which gave Vinolly the opportunity to be famous and the events that often take place in any of the small corners of the tremendously massive Forum bldn.

The Competition:Rafael Viñoly Architects won the 1989 International Design Competition, the first international architectural competition in Japan, held by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).

Location:The Tokyo International Forum, Japan's largest congress center, is situated on the boundary between Marunouchi, Tokyo's central business area and the Ginza shopping and entertainment district. The tracks of Japan Railways, the city's principal system of transportation, bounds the eastern elevation with two of the most heavily used train stations, Tokyo and Yarakucho stations, located to the north and south.
Facilities:The International Forum includes two theaters, one among the largest in the world, over 6,000 square meters of exhibition space, several conference rooms, restaurants, shops and other amenities.

A series of civic functions; a library, mediatech, restaurants, cafes, shops, an art gallery, and a 24-hour multi-media theater provide the activities that give the space its public character. In addition, the space is activated by the theater lobbies that overlook the Plaza at second floor level.

Under the Plaza a Concourse connects the public to local and regional rail networks. Containing a food court with shopping, continuing education facilities and an International Exchange Salon, the circulation of the Concourse wraps around a central Exhibition Hall and becomes itself the main floor of the Glass Hall.

VOICE OF THE ARCHITECT:"In Japan, the major obstacle to acceptance is to demonstrate commitment. It seems difficult for us nowadays to be committed for the long haul. I moved to Japan and took most of my office along. Together with those hired in Tokyo, we had 250 people from our office on site together with 800 engineers."

...........Rafael Viñoly .

OPEN YOUR BORDER ... !!

Countries that have seen their borders opened by the force of Global trade and finance often say like this.. : the only thing worse than opening your economy to the world is not opening it.

Many critics of Globalization say that it is a major cause of poverty,that it opens up developing countries to be exploited by big foreign Corporat.s, and that it results in people in wealthy countries losing jobs when cheaper foreign imports put their companies out of business.They also criticize foreigners for "buying up" local companies and creating a homogenized world run by Multinational Corporations not accoutable to any government.

Capitalism,it must be said by me and people of my generation,is by no means a perfect system.People do lose their jobs,and some people do earn a lot of money than others!!!In centrally planned Socialist economies,jobs and income are guaranteed in a fixed level for life,on the other hand,in a Capitalist economy nothing is guaranteed,especially not equality of income.But it must be said that,despite all its faults,capitalism is the best system for eleminating poverty and creating wealth.One need only look at crumbling economies of Eastern Europe to see that socialism,despite of its claim to distribute wealth evenly,ends up essentially with little wealth or nothing to distribute to anyone.

Globalization,even for all its faults,helps economy grow around the world.For an example,during the last years of twentieth century,more than a billion people around the world excape absolute poverty through economic growth.The trick behind such development is no doubd,opening the border to free market economy.

For many people in developing countries,economic growth is the ultimate anti-poverty weapon.It means access to clean water,a safe house to live in,and a chance to educate their children to prepare for a better future.Countries with expanding economies enjoy greater freedom in politics,more social spending and higher standards for living,for both rich and poor.

Globalization,it must be noted,does benefits some people more than others.Access to technology and capital has created many new jobs for working in many developing countries.And those companies and coutries with technology and capital to sell have also benefited enormously from globalization.For example,millions of Information Technology related jobs have been created in India-not just in Silicon Valley.

Those left out,specially the high salary workers in developed countries with little or no education,have seen millions of jobs taken out by newly productive Third World workers,and until they get the training abd education they need to find new jobs,they will justifiably blame the World-Economy for their loss.

GODDAMN IT... !!!
YOU-TUBE HAS GONE!!

I DUNNO WT DA HLL HAS HAPPENED TO IT...!JUST CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL AND WANTED TO WATCH SOME OF MY FAVORITE VIDEOS AND FOUND IT VANISHED!! SHEEEEEEE--T!

TOKYO SKETCH BOOK
建築見学ー2004

Architecture Visit report on :

'YOKOHAMA INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TERMINAL' was my first 建築見学,after I had left BUET.Unlike all other buildings I visited in Osaka,it was a part of my design course of T.T.C.I took a lot of pictures with my newly bought Degital camera(may,2004) and just couldn't wait to make poster by newly learnt softwares in myschool !!!was quite excited to do something and show myself!! 'The poster is cool,but you should take care of your Japanese', my teacher told me after presentation.I tried my best to make a Bi-lingual poster as I was not much confident with my Japanese language skill,in those days.Anyway,finally I could make them pleased by my new style(!)of presentation(as they made comment on it)!!

THE REPORT : (Architect:FOA - Farshid Musavi and Alezandro ZaeraPolo)

• Site-context:The 70m/430m terminal building is positioned orthogonally to the Yokohama water-front and Yamashita park.
• The fundamental approach: According to the architect, the fundamental approach of the design was the intension to transform the ground into an active surface, a built-up layout plan from which the architectural elements emerge as improbable and fluctuating forms.
  Here the building itself becomes a surface of different intensities and controlling the traffic flows between the city and the port, the inhabitants and the ship passengers. In fact here the surface becomes pleated to channel the traffic lanes while also playing its structural role.
  The ground of the city is connected to the boarding level and from there it bifurcates. I think it encourages the interaction between the URBAN SPACE and the TERMINAL below.
• Formal-expression: The structure is comparatively linear along its length. As a form it has a very dynamic look. You can feel that your body is close to the large part of the structure, but you would be distant from the feeling the weight of the structure. The wood planking, hand rails and constant see view emphasize the image of a ship.
• The functional spaces and the interior: the whole structure is divided into 3 layers : (1)the basement layer is the machinery.
  (2)the 1st floor is for parking area ,emergency centre etc.(3)the 2nd floor is for the passenger terminal and the multipurpose hall (4)the roof-top plaza and the visitors’ deck.
  The roof top has gentle 2 directional curves. The interior of the building has no columns or beams, creating a specious environment. There are no stairs, creating a barrier free environment where the visitors move between the levels by slopes or the elevators.
• Into the belly of the Beast:
  Entering the terminal feels like being swallowed by a huge pre-historic creature with a strong and heavy skeleton.
• The structural system: It’s a steel-frame structure. The ceiling is of folded plate-structure. It is made of projecting triangles across the grain contrasting with the length of the building. The column-free space is spanned by main trusses and rest on the box girders.
• Conclusion:
  FOA created a building that fits smoothly into this context, surrounded by a skyline that speaks of environment. I think this terminal is an interface between the open sea and the dense Tokyo-Yokohama metropolis. It is also a transition space between local people and the strangers. For locals its main function is as a park and for the arrivals it is the first connection with the main land.

TOKYO SKETCH BOOK
SKETCH-01

Mostly unrelated, but in the spirit of 'ON THE ROAD',the so called manifesto of BeatGeneration and american Pop, I'm writing down my own manifesto in an effort to explain the method to my madness. Many of you are going to disagree with me, and that's okay. It's my set of values after all, and I'm happy to hear your comments. Or better yet, go write your own manifesto.

......[It's difficult to write something about a City,when I myself am a Street-hunter.You can tell interesting stories about your trip if you are a traveller or a good story-teller.But, huh... I'm neither writing any travellers' guide nor gonna make you jealous by talkin' about my journey.I better can show you some pages of my ' dream sketch-book',so that we can walk together for a while...!!]

A girl ,once who companied me walkin' on life-side pedestrian,often asked me why I had left my home and what exactly I'm lookin' for !! It was quite a materialistic question which I usually prefer to skip answering.I dunno how you do handle girls....but,I thought myself that,people who left their home are simply delighted,

we were all delighted,we all realized we were leaving confusion and nonsense behind and performing our one and noble function of the time,MOVE.

And we moved..........and lookin' for the 'Purity of the Road' !!!

(to be continued )

1ST POST OF 2007 !!

Hi all! Happy new year.Hope the new year would splash a lot of colorful events across your dream route.

I was quite busy with part time jobs and my design projects in the last week of december.Then we celebrated 31st on the day of Eid.I was with some of my Bengali friends of Utsunomiya University and enjoyed a home party where most of the people were muslim.2nd January I went to Tokyo for another party arranged by my Juniors,people who got monbusho scholarship in the following years after 2003.Just came back to my place and writing blog now.How about your vacation?!

I don't know why but sometimes I feel to write something about Tokyo.May be in the next post i'll talk about Tokyo,my most favorite city.

ciao.....

zoha.