design, architecture, urbanism… with a grain of salt

I remember whilst studying back in the early 2000’s, an Academic by the name of Julian Raxworthy was running a Landscape Architecture class, or a studio, on the Landscape of Clouds. 

I wasn’t enrolled in this class, but it interested me. As per usual I only really paid attention briefly, enough to pick up on the title, and ponder a little on what it meant. I should have read on. There is a plethora of these moments that litter my memory, and all I am left with is the ability to draw my own conclusions from a title I remember from a distant time. I suppose its enough sometimes. I read other things. As the other day, whilst skim reading BLDGBLOG I came across the more than stunning images that are in this post, and it triggered my memory and the thought that if Clouds form landscapes, then these landscapes could be captured in building or landscape projects. A transient piece of landscape that is forever still, vicious, ominous and beautiful. Nothing is more relaxing than staring at the sky. I need more skylights. 

It also triggered a plethora of questions relating to; the indeterminant nature of Nature. Thoughts on manicured gardens, macro landscapes and the image, Gaia and micro landscapes and control (e.g. courtyards).

 It then led me to think a little more about another question, “can Architecture (or Landscape Architecture) be taught?”. My answer is no. I believe it can’t be taught, but the teaching of Architecture is essential to Architecture itself. Architecture is tacit then… but if it is tacit, how can you teach it? 

   I was fortunate enough to work with Julian Raxworthy, Rene Van Meeuwen and Laura Rossi as well as other Landscapers from the ALVA school a couple of semester’s later than the Cloud studio on the entry to the National Arboreturm Competition, and was really fond of JR’s and RvM’s approach. RvM went on to be my honour’s supervisor. I got to explore the project tacitly. To apply one’s self to a project or a part of a project. I came to the conclusion that you aren’t a designer until they are completely your own designs and ideas that are on the page, in the music, in the product etc.etc. That is what I took from that experience.

So there you go. I came into this post at cloud, and left on tacit knowledge.  

Photos by Carlos Gutierrez for UPI, I saw these on BLDGBLOG

Tags: ARCHITECTURE LINKS, URBANISM LINKS //