Architecture perception through a landscape perspective

Abstract

This paper proposes an objective methodology to allow architectural analysis incorporating, or embedding creatively, the signals of a blossoming sensibility towards landscape, while rehearsing a parallel interpretative and critical analysis of the most recent architectural forms of expression. It is based on a simple set of descriptive (non-exhaustive) characteristics - that are commonly found in recent representative (or major) architectonic masterpieces, but also in some particular or more exquisite examples -, and allows double crossing, facilitating an easy and understandable interpretative grid. The purpose is all about setting a challenging reference to landscape, for a refreshed and stimulating critical sense over all architectonic reviews. We also seek to promote the development of discontented spirits in relation to disciplinary forms of architectural practice, while being part of a teaching method, or a mean to transform simple aspiring architects into active agents, committed or compromised with the conception of better landscaped architectures and friendly environments. There is no longer time to ignore or hide the pressure induced by the complex framework of territorial, cultural and social demands, under any type of formal reduction. The present condition requires from future professionals, involved in the reshaping of existing architectures into future spatial environments, much more than common projects or easy urban designs, demanding a committed architecture that progressively reinvents and strengthens the connections with a neighbouring-landscape, constantly improved. It's also important to remember that all architectures are new architectures, always, even when they deal with subjects like urban renewal or buildings refurbishment, or even when they reuse historical sites and emotional collective memories. All occidental architecture is, somehow, the rewriting of André Corboz's palimpsest, if we want to look at it, and understand it, like a landscape object or a neighbouring landscape. Indeed, neighbouring landscape, as a real landscape of proximity, is not only about social integration or desirable multicultural city, but the mode conception and designs or projects can enable a comprehensive recognition of dreams and aspirations recombined, as a reflect of local societies committed to their landscapes, out in their own places and time, and looking at the future of urban and environmental condition with the same optimism. In an indirect way this paper also addresses some emerging problems, such as the new type of citizen's movements that start to participate in the government of cities and in decision support, under the pressure of the media and other queries on-going about urban democracy, questioning urban development and other related city forms and regeneration designs. Advantages may be as promising as risks if one doesn't establish very effective dialogue conditions to mediate, in real time, the inevitable tension due to divergences that always anticipate collective consensus. Free participation, that is usually quite poorly informed cultural and technically, may constrain or even prevent city's governments of that desirable experimental and exploratory capacity that urban forms have always revealed, through a strong palimpsest, inhibiting all effective developing capacities and quick progressive jumps.