On Envelopes

(or The Unbearable Slightness of Architectural Content)

1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope

1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope

2. Ideological Oppositions on the Nature of the Envelope

2a. The Envelope as the Revealer of the Inner Forces that Shape a Building:
Critical Regionalism and Tectonic Culture

2b. The Envelope as a Technological Promise for Development: High-Tech Architecture

2c. The Envelope as the Shaper of Social Agendas: Politics of the Envelope

3. Examples

4. Conclusions
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
1. Brief (and simplistic) notes on the Evolution of the Architectural Envelope
2. Ideological Oppositions on the Nature of the Envelope

STRUCTURAL

PUBLIC/PRIVATE DEMARCATOR

REGULATES EXCHANGES WITH THE EXTERIOR

FACIALITY
2. Ideological Oppositions on the Nature of the Envelope

The Envelope as the Revealer of the Inner Forces that Shape a Building:

Tectonic Culture and Critical Regionalism

2. Ideological Oppositions on the Nature of the Envelope

The Envelope as a Trigger of Social Agendas:

Politics of the Envelope

 X, Y, Z

The Politics of the Envelope - Alejandro Zaera-Polo (2008)

 Spherical, Relaxed Fit
Flat Horizontal, Loose Fit X=Y=Z
X=Y>Z

Flat Vertical, Tight Fit

X≈Z>Y

Vertical, Slim Fit

Z>X≈Y Z
The Politics of the Envelope - Alejandro Zaera-Polo (2008) Y
X
 Yokohama Ferry Terminal - FOA (1995-2000)
Flat Horizontal, Loose Fit
X=Y>Z Villepinte Nord - Lacaton & Vassal (2005-2006)
Yokohama Ferry Terminal - Foreign Office Architects (1995-2002)
Villepinte Nord Fair & Exhibition Hall - Lacaton & Vassal (2006)
Villepinte Nord Fair & Exhibition Hall - Lacaton & Vassal (2006)
Villepinte Nord Fair & Exhibition Hall - Lacaton & Vassal (2006)
 John Lewis Department Store - FOA (2008)
Spherical, Relaxed Fit*
X=Y=Z Maison Latapie - Lacaton & Vassal (1993)

*Both projects enter with difficulties this category (“[...] the spherical envelope has the lowest ratio between surface and volume [...]”
John Lewis Department Store - Foreign Office Architects (2008)
John Lewis Department Store - Foreign Office Architects (2008)
Maison Latapie - Lacaton & Vassal (1993)
Maison Latapie - Lacaton & Vassal (1993)
Maison Latapie - Lacaton & Vassal (1993)
 Carabanchel Social Housing - FOA (2007)
Flat Vertical, Tight Fit
X≈Z>Y Mulhouse Cite Manifeste - Lacaton & Vassal (2005)
Carabanchel Social Housing, EMVS - Foreign Office Architects (2007)
Carabanchel Social Housing, EMVS - Foreign Office Architects (2007)
Cite Manifeste - Lacaton & Vassal (2005)
Cite Manifeste - Lacaton & Vassal (2005)
Cite Manifeste - Lacaton & Vassal (2005)
 WTC Reconstruction Proposals - FOA (2001)
Vertical, Slim Fit
Z>X≈Y Tour Bois-le-Prêtre - Lacaton & Vassal (2006-2011)
Max Protech Gallery (NYC) Exhibition on Ideas for the Reconstruction of the WTC - Foreign Office Architects (2001)
WTC Competition - United Architects (2002)
Tour Bois-le-Prêtre - Lacaton & Vassal (2005-2011)
Tour Bois-le-Prêtre - Lacaton & Vassal (2005-2011)
Tour Bois-le-Prêtre - Lacaton & Vassal (2005-2011)
Tour Bois-le-Prêtre - Lacaton & Vassal (2005-2011)
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions