Amnesia and Fragmentation: Five Points Towards an Appropriation of Fragments
“Man, in a word, has no nature; what he has is…history. Expressed differently: what nature is to things, history, res gestae, is to man [1].” Amnesia is a condition that is currently affecting the architectural profession. In large part, this can be attributed to a relatively recent trend in the demolition of buildings. Paradoxically, historical preservation – the uncompromising retention of buildings in their former state is the polemic condition to a discussion of memory in architecture. Our attitudes and architecture, in a state of amnesia or memory stagnation.
This thesis seeks to explore through five points a game of using fragments as a solution to the problem of memory in architecture – a game which has rules, but is not serious so as to encourage an attitude of play with pieces, rather than a disregard or fear of altering meaningful parts of a building. This game of fragments includes translating the parts and materials of a historic building into new and unexpected applications. It also designs the parts of the building for dis-assembly, to encourage future reuse that accumulate greater meaning over time.
The play of fragments will respond to the more serious condition of amnesia and emerging issues of sustainability and energy shortages. The context of this thesis is the preserved ruin and national historic site, Fort Beauséjour in New Brunswick. A boat building workshop will be the proof of a theory of appropriating fragments. The architectural intervention will ground the aforementioned issues through the theoretical writings on fragmentation in Colin Rowe's "Collage City", Maria Fabricus Hanson’s “The Eloquence of Appropriation”, and Barbara Maria Stafford's "Visual Analogy".
1. Colin Rowe. Collage City, p. 118, (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1984)
2 comments:
Mr. Smith,
Architecture is not a game. Choose your fragments very carefully, for they alone have the ability, in the right hands, to stimulate memories and touch souls.
signed,
An old Carleton Grad from 20 years ago
Anonymous,
Thank you for your comment. I agree that architecture is not a game, but that games can be played within architecture. Wouldn't it be memorable for a client seeking an architect to subscribe to playing a game that would result in their home?
A prudent selection of fragments is the most important thing in sustaining meaning. With this, the discretion in selecting what to remember and what to forget.
Post a Comment