readings one and two

1) What is the reality Michael Benedikt writes about?
Michael Benedikt reality of architecture how many different types. And he not only tells us about them but shows them to us..

2) Benedikt describes degrees of reality in architecture as: Architecture of Dreams, Architecture of Games, Architecture of Illusions, Architecture of Enactments and Architecture of Jokes. What are some example buildings that fall under these categories?

Jokes-everything is not as it should be, the Commerical Building, Austin Texas, or the Steele House in Lubbock, Tx.

Games-The manhattan transcripts,-Bernard Tschumi; this type seems to have a process that has rights and wrongs

Dreams-Emilio’s Folly: Man is an Island, Emilio Ambasz, it would be more like something we see in our dreams.

Illusions- Krogar Building, Cincinnati, OH, This type would give a false sense of what it really is. Such as using paint to give a look of bricks or say parts of the building that you cannot enter.

3) Benedikt describes “direct esthetic experience of the real” as being moments without symbolism. Where in our environment does symbolism occur and where in our environment is symbolism absent? What is an example of this situation?

symbolism is in almost everything, in all reality it is in everything but you can simplify it to have things that have no real symbolic meaning. But everybody has a different definition of symbolism. Things that are symbolic are churches, malls, universities, battlefields, non-symbolic things are manholes, rooftops, utilites, electrical lines which just have a service to them.

4) Although Benedikt’s position pulls examples from the 70‘s and 80‘s to illustrate that an architecture of reality is polar to the post-modern architecture movement, this condition continues to exist today. Where in the city would be examples of an architecture of reality and post-modern architecture?

The Steele House would be a good example.

5) The four components that define the “realness” of architecture for reality are: presence, significance, materiality, and emptiness (in two categories). How do these components relate to architecture? And what are some examples of architectural elements that make up these conditions?

Significance-This is the collective value of architecture. Less functionality and more about how people relate to buildings with value or importance.


Presence- Every room has a presence that makes itself known. Its not apologetic in any way, and it is something you can see, and touch.

Emptiness- it represents the space between 2 columns and it still has a presence. Kimble Art Museum is a good example. It also has a gravity to it.

Materiality- This is how materials are used and not used. They do not give a false sense to the structure, but are used to show how the building was built and what each materials job is.





Stan Allen

1) Stan Allen describes field conditions as “bottom-up phenomena: defined not by overarching geometrical schemas but by intricate local connections.” What are some field condition examples that can be found in the road systems of Lubbock?

Streets, manholes, stopsigns, curbs are field conditions that solve problems and have a very basic numbering system to help citizens identifiy which way they are headed.

2) In part 1, Allen distinguishes a geometric relationship of classical architecture from an algebraic combination of the Cordoba Mosque. How do these two architectural examples differ?

Classical Architecture has a hierarchy to it, but the Cordoba Mosque doesn’t not, it starts with one piece and adds another that is similar in shape but maybe different in scale. The added on pieces always copy the old.

3) What are some other examples of field conditions that can be observed around campus?

group of people heading to a football game, people finding their seats at a game they are repeated very often, and sidewalks, because they always lead to a door.

4) How does a field condition stand to redefine the relation between figure and ground?

Figure and ground have a complex meaning. A good example is the city plan of Rome by Giambattista Molli