Design Yearbook 2017

At The Threshold: Investigating the work of Sou Fujimoto in relation to ideas of the ‘inbetween’
in Dutch structuralism and in the Japanese notion of ‘Ma’
Pannawat Sermsuk
Every day we unconsciously cross a number of threshold spaces. Transitional spaces are key
moments in architecture yet these spaces are much neglected. Aldo Van Eyck, a key figure
in Dutch Structuralism, believed that threshold spaces promise a potential to create a
continuous sense of place. Influenced by Einstein’s theory of relativity where space and time
are interrelated, Van Eyck began to form the concept of the ‘in-between’.
In parallel to Dutch structuralism, the idea of in-between has long embedded in Japanese
architecture known as ‘Ma’. It is also an architectural inherent being reinterpreted into a
contemporary context by architects like Sou Fujimoto. Also inspired by Einstein’s theory
of relativity, the concept of homogenised continuity of interiority and exteriority becomes
prominent in Fujimoto’s work. His architecture involves spaces which connect together in
‘loose order’ – of which he called ‘weak architecture’.
Acknowledging those differences, and without suggesting any direct influence of one architect
on another, this dissertation sets out to explore certain parallels between Van Eyck’s notion of
the in-between and the work of Sou Fujimoto. It will trace an approach to an in-between realm
that will help in breaking down boundaries between public and private, inside and outside,
and create a continuous sense of place where a person can feel ‘belong’ wherever they are.
The International Flying Circus: Architects and branding within an evolving media
landscape
Katherine Marguerite Michell
Architecture has always been understood as more than purely shelter. Primarily a tool for
communication, architecture is read as a symbol of broader social order; carrying inherent
economic and cultural significance. Conversely, architecture can also be the spatial
manifestation of the individual ego and culturally-distinguished celebrity.
This role of celebrity architect has powerful ramifications in the field of political strategy;
ramifications that are explored through this writing which examines the media’s role in
sponsorship of the architectural ego.
As starchitects are increasingly fetishised as cultural icon and mainstream ‘celebrity’, the aura
of architectural mystique that once preserved this high-cultural status is now being dispelled
by selfies and socks.
By examining different value systems that propagate architectural eminence, this writing
explores how the platforms of social media are altering these established values. Whether
aura is diminished, or starchitects are increasingly fetishised as celebrity, these changes will
inevitably play out in the future global landscape. The International Flying Circus adopts a
speculative look ahead at the political implications of a shift in architectural status.
Architectural Soundscapes: The communication of the sonic experience within art
galleries
Jack Ranby
The dominance of the visual appraisal of architecture means that the significance of auditory
spatial awareness is generally overlooked. Whilst greatly influencing the way we navigate and
perceive space and promoting a feeling of social cohesion, the ignorance towards the role of
sound in architecture comes primarily from our perception of space and time.
In this dissertation, the overall role of sound in architecture will be discussed, along with the
development or ‘deterioration’ of the urban soundscape and its causes. This will ultimately
lead to an investigation of the means of representing and communicating aural information in
order to reinforce the use of sound for a rational design methodology.
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