Could we go economy in immaterialism architecture?

Material is a relative term in architectural design and so may be used to designate materials which are considered to be virtual, (such as photographs, images or text) or other materials which are natural.

Materialism is the physical material such as stone, rock and so on which enables a complete and sound structure built for purpose rather than aesthetical appreciation. In contrary, immaterialism is the philosophical position that there is no material world and all that exists does so only in the mind and is for the mind.

left: House under Eaves, New Zeland, by MRTN architect (Materiality)

right: Louvre-Lens by Sanaa architectes (Immateriality)

However, in today’s architecture, considering about the cost, time and function of the product, materiality has become very typical and you could hunt for it everywhere. Clients do not want to pay extra money for the unprofitable area (Nett Floor Area [NFA)- Gross Floor Area[GFA]), the bigger the GFA, the better it is. Philosophy could hardly be seen due the time constraint on the design period. Building which is functional and acquire some eye indulging features are sufficient to coax a client to buy the idea. “The faster the construction ends, the faster the leasing of the properties, and that is the time we could earn money,” that is their concept.

Example:

Right: The Saffron, Sentul (Typical condominium design today)

Immaterialism architecture usually attracts more attention as it initiates the user’s curiosity on the philosophical part which involves the sensory part and it requires an intelligent guesswork. To achieve immateriality, a formless phenomenon, a technological development towards lightness are to be achieved. More costly or new materials such as glass and reflective panels are applied to achieve that. As we know in the market, glass costs more than concrete. Besides, part of the materials is used to create the dramatic feeling or formless phenomenon, instead of creating usable spaces (increase in NFA and plot ratio, with the GFA remaining constant). Immaterialism architecture is expensive. Thus, the immaterialism project or installation is usually financially sponsored (for example, in the EXPO) or it is owned by the rich.

Examples:

left: Lucas Samaras Mirrored Room, 1966

right: Kaleidoscope cube so Bondi Beach, Aust., by Alex Ritchie

Materialism is visually judged, but immaterialism is subjective to everyone, as the judgement is participated by the sensory factors.

Could we go economy in immaterialism architecture?

The answer to the question is a yes. Best examples could be given by the Japanese architect, Tadao Ando and the Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor.

Both architect having the similarity of producing a silence architecture. A formal progression through space, informed by nature and realized through the careful application of materials, is fundamental to Ando's work. “You can’t really say what is beautiful about a place, but the image of the place will remain vividly with you” quoted by Tadao Ando. Ando’s architecture is not about an architecture of visual images which detached from the existential depth and sincerity, he allows the users to experience and capture the moments in the spaces.

Peter Zumthor quoted that architecture is not about form. Another quote that best represent the immateriality applied by Perter Zumthor in his architecture is “I think that space, architectural space, is my thing. It’s not about façade, elevation, making image, making money. My passion is creating space.”

As mentioned by Jonathan Hills, replacing a static and material architecture with one that is fluid and immaterial is no solution. Both architects who are passion in creating spaces, concerns about the applications of materials too, it is an application of immateriality in materiality.

With very less application of those costly material such as glass (they uses raw materials such as concrete and wood), both architects managed to bring in a dramatic and formless phenomenon to the spaces, with the interplay of light and bringing in the nature to the building.