scholarly journals A Subconscious Ascent: Exploring the Architecture of the Metaphoric Staircase

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samantha Erickstad

<p>This research explores the significance of the stair as a spatial and symbolic architectural experience. The stepped form integrated with architecture. The stair is an integral feature of architecture which has the potential to be specifically designed to enhance space and create particular experiences. A stair is not only a functional object, but a medium for design. Metaphorical staircases are absent in contemporary architecture as a loss of meaning has resulted in monotonous designs devoid of figurative or poetic significance. The staircase has been a fundamental component of architecture since Neolithic times, however has recently been neglected. The stepped form has represented many themes including hierarchy, transcendence, or authority. In contrast, the contemporary staircase has embraced pragmatics. Safety restrictions, efficiency, and budget constraints, result in disregard for aesthetics and meaning. Film provides a behavioural setting in which to analyse how people move, behave, interact, and experience staircases. A range of films will be analysed to identify techniques for meaningful stair design. The influence of surreal qualities will also be determined to enhance an experience. Surreal imagery offers the opportunity to create dreamlike space, activating the subconscious. The metaphoric connotations of staircases will be explored through six research categories; the stair as Symbolic, Illusive, Transitional, Kinetic, Psychological, and Iconic. Design case studies will then investigate the intersection of the staircase as architecture, filmic representation, and surreal experience. The stepped building Casa Malaparte in Italy acts as a reference model for the successful integration of these concepts. With influence of these themes, the staircase can once again become widely acknowledged as architecture.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Samantha Erickstad

<p>This research explores the significance of the stair as a spatial and symbolic architectural experience. The stepped form integrated with architecture. The stair is an integral feature of architecture which has the potential to be specifically designed to enhance space and create particular experiences. A stair is not only a functional object, but a medium for design. Metaphorical staircases are absent in contemporary architecture as a loss of meaning has resulted in monotonous designs devoid of figurative or poetic significance. The staircase has been a fundamental component of architecture since Neolithic times, however has recently been neglected. The stepped form has represented many themes including hierarchy, transcendence, or authority. In contrast, the contemporary staircase has embraced pragmatics. Safety restrictions, efficiency, and budget constraints, result in disregard for aesthetics and meaning. Film provides a behavioural setting in which to analyse how people move, behave, interact, and experience staircases. A range of films will be analysed to identify techniques for meaningful stair design. The influence of surreal qualities will also be determined to enhance an experience. Surreal imagery offers the opportunity to create dreamlike space, activating the subconscious. The metaphoric connotations of staircases will be explored through six research categories; the stair as Symbolic, Illusive, Transitional, Kinetic, Psychological, and Iconic. Design case studies will then investigate the intersection of the staircase as architecture, filmic representation, and surreal experience. The stepped building Casa Malaparte in Italy acts as a reference model for the successful integration of these concepts. With influence of these themes, the staircase can once again become widely acknowledged as architecture.</p>


ARCHALP ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
Francesca Bogo

The Province of Belluno is home of great human and landscape quality and of the beautiful Dolomites, UNESCO World Heritage. How experiences of contemporary architecture fit and how are promoted in this context? It can be said that contemporary architecture does not attract a big audience. This is despite the constant efforts by various bodies and associations to promote its diffusion and development through competitions, conferences, workshops and case studies. In the Belluno region, apart from the extraordinary extant historical heritage, there are widespread examples of new architecture known as “false alpine models” or architecture that has erroneously become typical of the Province’s image. This is the reason why this new architecture with its range of peculiarities is widely reiterated, from north to south of the area. Even though buildings of this type lack any real ties with history or tradition, they find widespread approval by institutions and commissions. They are the result of repetitive practices deriving from constraints imposed by local regulations and a limited aptitude in the use of contemporary language of architecture. Even if the barometer of the vitality of contemporary architecture in the region of Belluno is rather lukewarm, dampened by cultural resistance and by regulatory constraints affecting its growth and diffusion, there is no lack of experiences, initiatives and achievements. The latter is evidence of the fact that where research and the use of contemporary languages are accompanied by the opinions of enlightened patrons, good architecture is born, which find space in the arena of national and international architectural debate. Examples of good architecture, even though limited in number, are distributed across the Province and constitute heritage and the focus for promoting and consolidating the growth and dissemination of contemporary architecture throughout the area.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 206-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato L. Bergamo ◽  
Leonardo N. Romano

ABSTRACT This study aims at presenting the process of machine design and agricultural implements by means of a reference model, formulated with the purpose of explaining the development activities of new products, serving as a guideline to coach human resources and to assist in formalizing the process in small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), i.e. up to 500 employees. The methodology used included the process modeling, carried out from case studies in the SMB, and the study of reference models in literature. The modeling formalism used was based on the IDEF0 standard, which identifies the dimensions required for the model detailing: input information; activities; tasks; knowledge domains; mechanisms; controls and information produced. These dimensions were organized in spreadsheets and graphs. As a result, a reference model with 27 activities and 71 tasks was obtained, distributed over four phases of the design process. The evaluation of the model was carried out by the companies participating in the case studies and by experts, who concluded that the model explains the actions needed to develop new products in SMB.


Author(s):  
Erik M. W. Kolb ◽  
Jonathan Hey ◽  
Hans-Ju¨rgen Sebastian ◽  
Alice M. Agogino

Metaphors have successfully been used by new product development and design teams to help frame the design situation and communicate new products to stakeholders. Yet, the process of finding a compelling metaphor often turns upon stumbling upon it or a flash of insight from a team member. We present Meta4acle: a Metaphor Exploration Tool for design that suggests possible metaphors to make the process more one of ‘seeking out’ than ‘stumbling upon’ an effective metaphor. The tool takes data about the project in the form of a title, domain and key associations required of the metaphor and returns suggestions from a database of possible metaphor sources. We built a Meta4acle prototype and evaluated it with positive results for three existing design case studies. We present plans for its full implementation and evaluation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Joanita Goei

<p>This research addresses the four inherent themes within fire. Fire has an association with myth due to its complexity in nature and existence long before modern science. Even today these myths live on as a way to describe the characteristics of fire as an architectural element. Bachelard’s book The Psychoanalysis of Fire looks at how fire connects with our primitive self through reverie. Fire’s contemplative character allows us to escape the surrounding world, and transport us to a kind of subconscious level. An extension of the reverie of fire is fire’s relation to the primitive. Although we have evolved into advance species, at a basic level we are all still animals. There are certain primal needs inherent within us such as sense of safety and community. Fire fulfils these needs architecturally by providing the setting for ‘primitive experiences.’ The last theme I will look at has to do with fire’s association with living beings. Even though fire is not scientifically a living organism, it is often compared to a living being due to its complexity in character. Moreover, it often symbolises life in many levels of society such as the civic hearth during the Greco-Roman era. Several case studies are looked at to see the application of the ideas represented within the themes of fire. A range of contemporary architecture is chosen to show how the ideals associated with fire are still applicable in architecture even today. In the case studies fire has either been excluded physically but present symbolically, or its presence has been reduced to the bare minimum. The case studies aim to show how fire can be addressed architecturally using other architectural elements that are traditionally associated with fire, such as chimneys and hearth. Due to current issues such as sustainability, having fire physically within a space is becoming more difficult. Many places around the world have banned open fires. An option to continue celebrating fire within architecture is through the symbolic representation of the element. This can be done by using other architectural elements that we traditionally associate with fire ...</p>


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (Special-Issue1) ◽  
pp. 144-156
Author(s):  
Mahmood Feizabadi ◽  
Mohammadjavad Mahdavinejad ◽  
Seyyed Mirhosseini

In this study, we discuss ways of affecting nature on contemporary architecture and utilise them to survey the naturalism of case studies of Iranian architecture. The basic question in this study is: 'how ways of utilising nature have influenced on contemporary public works of Iran?' Descriptive-analytic method is used to achieve the results. The literature review was done by using archival methods, then the ways of affecting nature on contemporary architecture were listed as an evaluation criteria. Next, characteristics of sample projects were analyzed by using surveying methods, and their effects were submitted in qualitative and quantitative manner. The results of the study showed that some ways of affecting nature include scenery, material and conceptual have had the most usage in contemporary public buildings of Iran, and some others include spatial, functional and formal have been overlooked.


Author(s):  
Fabio Maroldi ◽  
Nicolò Colnaghi ◽  
Fabio Vanerio ◽  
Valerio Levati

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