CONTEXT and BUILDING II

Context in architecture has become a subject bloated with discussion and debate over the years. And, as a matter of fact, it has come to matter very little in its formal and typological sense. Every architects have different point of views, as a result, context exist in different way in every buildings. Context no longer as a design elements to emphasize building identity. The form, environment and ideas architecture takes in these cases, and countless others, is in itself a deliberate disregard towards context in its literal sense.

“Master planning starts with an assessment of the ecology of the site and its context; we need to know what is there before we can insert anything new.” Quoted by Ken Yeang.

But is this disregard for context a mistake? Take for instance, the fluid forms that compose Zaha Hadid’s hundreds of projects around the world and the master planning of historic architecture, Florence town. Which represent a better application of context? Context as vital design elements can be shown in which architecture timeline? Observers would often say context is preliminary stage of design in century ago, as in modern architecture, context is just an embellishment.

I would like to disagree. Modern architecture should not be used to compare with historic architecture. It have been much different and changing throughout architecture timeline, the factor or issues that define “context” may vary. The old one may not able to survive in modern and the modern may not adapt well in old environment. In my perspective, cultural is more emphasize while environment is not much as a context in century ago. In modern architecture, it is a vice-versa. In short, context is just being emphasize in a very different way.

To support my perspective, two case study can be used to compare how the importance of context had been change throughout architecture timeline. Both of the buildings chosen are located at Florence, Italy to compare two different era in same location. Two case studies, Florence Cathedral and New Florence Opera Theater.

The historical architecture used is Florence Cathedral. In the 15th century, Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi constructed one of the largest domes the world had ever seen and it is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in Florence. The building was built at Florence town and it blend well in the community even with its massive structure.

The context being apply is obviously the cultural issues. To remain the cultural identity of Florence, the building is designed based on the surrounding elements. The façade is an example of applying context, the material, design and form are based on that era culture. Besides, the relationship between buildings also being emphasize, interaction in between human are the context to historical architecture.

Those ideas of context rarely can be seen in modern architecture. On the contrary, environment issues such as pollution and global warming are not being emphasized in historical building. For modern architecture, it is quite simply, successful architecture today is one that serves society culturally and practically, addressing problems of 21st century, dealing with context in a solution-oriented manner and into future-invested urbanism.

The modern architecture used as case study is the New Florence Open Theater. This modern and multifunctional building located near the river and the largest public park in the city. It is one of the modern buildings in the cradle of the Renaissance. The context is more to the interaction with surrounding environment instead of surrounding building.

The Cavea is sublimely beautiful, a modern amphitheater located on the roof, where 2,000 spectators can enjoy shows and concerts. It used the advantages of nature as one of the attraction, the open plan and large plaza designed was a solution to allow ventilation, more greenery can be planted. Instead of culture and surrounding building, environment is the main context in this design.

The monumental Opera House with elegant tilted cube, consisting of terraces and enclosed spaces, and featuring a smooth surface on which images and videos can be projected, or which can simply be flooded with light to stand out against the night sky. This building propose the interaction between nature and human, if there is a batch of greenery, allow people to get there with ease.

Those ideas is very different from historical architecture, it do not emphasize much on cultural effect as the building form is vary and the relationship between buildings is much weaker. However, both era have apply the context at great use to show the identity and characteristic of it. In brief, the elements of a context have to depend on the need of that era to create a “contemporary building”. Thus, no comparison should be make as context had represent architecture.