Words 16 Villa Prototype Unbuilt Matters

 “In the beginning was the city. The countercity. Or better: The dreamed city.”
“– Wolf dPrix”

 

Architecture is more than just the physical structures we see; it is a reflection of the ideas, theories, and philosophies that shape our built environment. While completed buildings often steal the spotlight, unbuilt projects hold equal significance. They have the potential to shape the evolution of architecture, showcasing visionary thinking, challenging existing architectural conventions, and enabling architects to experiment with innovative design solutions and sustainable strategies.

Throughout history, notable unbuilt projects, such as solo housing prototypes, have served as laboratories for testing new materials and techniques, paving the way for advancements in the field. Pioneer architects utilize these settings to express their vision for the future, critique current practices, and communicate their ideas to a wider audience. These projects shape futuristic architectural manifestos, calling for radical changes and influencing the direction of the field. As Wolf dPrix aptly puts it, “In the beginning was the city. The countercity. Or better: The dreamed city.”

In the realm of architectural innovation, the 1960s and 1970s marked a period of experimentation and boundary-pushing in housing design. Architects explored innovative concepts and avant-garde ideas to redefine the boundaries of traditional housing. This article delves into a comparative referral of three groundbreaking projects: Villa Rosa (1968), Pneumatic Living Unit: Prototype by Coop Himmelb(l)au Architect Wolf dPrix, and the Responsive House (Unbuilt Project, 1970) by Arata Isozaki. These projects showcase the visionary approaches of their respective architects and their significant contributions to the evolution of housing design.

Villa Rosa, 1968, by Coop Himmelb(l)au

PNEUMATIC LIVING UNIT: PROTOTYPE

Design ideas for an architecture that is as variable as a cloud. Pneumatic construction permits changes in volume due to a new building element: air. And the new forms influence — supported through projections of color, sound, and fragrance — the quality of experience within the spaces.

The pneumatic prototype is composed of three spaces.

The pulsating space with the revolving bed, projections, and sound programs. Appropriate fragrances to accompany the changing audiovisual program are blown in through the ventilation system.

The pneumatic, transformable space: eight inflatable balloons vary the size of the unit’s space from minimum to maximum volumes.

The space in the suitcase — the mobile space. From a helmet-shaped suitcase, one can inflate an air-conditioned shell, complete with bed.

 

The Cloud, 1968, by Coop Himmelb(l)au

The Cloud is an organism for living.

The structure is mobile, the space can be modified.

The building materials are air and dynamics.

 (Technique is a means to an end but not an end in itself. Architecture is content, not shell.)

The Cloud was designed for the study “Living forms for the future” and was planned as a realization for the Documenta V. It was thoroughly developed down to the smallest detail in terms of concrete form and structure.

 

Responsive House, 1970, by Arata Isozaki

A Manifesto in Housing Design

The unbuilt Responsive House project from 1970 serves as a manifesto-like exploration of Isozaki’s vision for housing design. This groundbreaking project reflects his forward-thinking approach and his belief in the importance of adaptive architecture. The Responsive House aimed to create a living environment that could adapt and respond to the evolving needs and desires of its inhabitants. Although unbuilt, this project showcases Isozaki’s visionary mindset and his desire to challenge conventional notions of housing design.

 

In conclusion, these unbuilt projects exemplify the power of visionary thinking in architecture. They not only push the boundaries of design but also inspire future generations of architects to dream beyond the constraints of the present. As architects continue to explore innovative concepts and challenge conventional practices, the future of architecture remains a realm of limitless possibilities and dreams.

 

References:

+ https://villanews.ir/en/editorial/villa-ideology-as-literary-production-and-writing-architecture
+ https://villanews.ir/en/editorial/unbuilt-matters   
+ https://coop-himmelblau.at/first-ten-years/
+ https://villanews.ir/en/editorial/arata-isozaki-experimental-houses