Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Analytic Architecture

When it comes to the world of architecture, everyone is creating something, but not many are actually being creative. A truly creative architect must come up with something new; a novel design that separates them from the pack. In the case of Frank Gehry, it was the use of free-flowing shapes, unique materials, and empty space that created unique and captivating structures. Another creative architect, albeit in a totally different way, is June Grant. Grant uses data to design her buildings.



Grant approaches architecture entirely differently than Gehry; aiming for maximum functionality rather than beauty or art. Grant analyzes the plethora of information available from public databases in order to design her buildings. She looks at data such as the geographic surroundings, weather patterns, and average traffic flow in order to assess the environment of the proposed building. Then, she creates a design, using 3D printing and models, that best fits this environment. Specifically, she aims to create 'net-zero buildings', or buildings that do not impact their surroundings. By looking at numbers, Grant can create structures with certain shapes and materials that harness natural energy and cut back on emissions; thereby creating maintainable, useful, and completely environmentally friendly buildings.



Laird D. McLean describes creativity as both creation and innovation. Explaining that creation is coming up with the idea, and innovation is actually figuring out how to implement it. Grant's approach to architecture clearly falls into this definition of creativity, as she uses regional data to generate designs and models for buildings. McLean also discusses the role culture and climate play in creativity; or rather how a person's beliefs and corresponding actions lead them to creativity. For Grant, this was her desire to live in tune with nature through the help of technology; ultimately accomplished through her buildings.



Thus, through her use of modern technology, Grant creates buildings that are ideally adapted to their surroundings. Grant is pioneering a new style of architecture; one that not only accentuates peoples' lives, but preserves the environment at the same time.





1 comment:

  1. I found this post really interesting! I think this is such a wonderful extension and application to our class discussion about Gehry. This describes that Grant's creativity is really adapting to the advantages of technology that our progressing society is developing. Grant is finding ways to help our environment, which is a growing issue in our world. She is also trying to create buildings that will continue to be more environmentally friendly than the buildings that were built before. Personally, I think this is something that needs to be paid attention to because our environment needs the help. Grant has the benefit of using the 3-D printer to look at the buildings she creates; this is a technological advantage that Gehry never was able to use. I think it helps to save time and assess the quality of the buildings that are created. Also, technological programs that help to analyze the data that Grant can just input into them are extremely useful and beneficial. Grants was born into the time that allows her to more easily use her creative abilities to create these buildings. I am so happy to be reading about scientific and technological advances that people are using to create buildings for the betterment of our environment! I hope to see more creative use the technological advances and use them as tools to improve our world. Thank you for sharing this post Edward!

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