Stripping the Royal Academy of its traditional artwork, the 2014 sensing spaces exhibition explored the architecture of the everyday and investigates the way we think and feel. With architects from across the world such as Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura, the exhibition was designed to explore the fundamental elements of architectural space.
My favourite room specific architectural exhibit is a wooden structure by Pezo von Ellrichshausen of a simplistic monolithic timber structure. It must make the viewer inquisitive of the purpose of the forms. Explore a little further, the timber columns reveal spiral staircases up to an elevated deck with head-height wrap around panelling, guiding the viewers eyes upwards to the elegant and ornamental gilded ceiling of the space. This interesting exhibit focusses in on and glorifies the architecture of the space that is usually overlooked. Expressing the size and scale of gallery space it is a unique space-changing installation. It gives a three-dimensional dynamic to the otherwise linear gallery.
The second exhibit to pique my interest is by Grafton Architects, who suspended large wooden structures from the ceiling. The aim is to present the feeling and experience of sunlight streaming through openings and question the users feeling of materiality and reality. The stretched fabric simulates concrete forms and the lightweight and gravity defying nature gives a sense of unease and confusion. The ethereal light from above fills the spaces giving interesting balance between light and dark. Within a confined space it’s a clever use of architecture to explore its potential and receive enjoyment from something so simple yet complex.
As I progress on my design concept, I will be looking to implement some of these concepts. How light plays an important factor in experience of spaces, the use of levels to reveal architecture and the effect of gravity defying to give a sense of unease. I hope to explore the blurring lines between virtual and reality and the ways architecture can express itself in careful design.
The Damp Patch 🧱 