hybrid

I have found that during my time here at Berkeley that much criticism and discussion in studio has been centered around the idea of transition and continuity of space and surface. In particular, I remember instance where one of my studio mates was criticized for not considering how two structural systems that he had developed did not transition from one to another; in other words his reviewers were recommending that the two systems blend or hybridize. Later in conversation with him he said that he didn’t see or understand why they would need to. Ever since that critique I found myself asking the same question. Why is continuity of space so important to this time in contemporary architecture?

I found these readings to be instrumental in answering these questions because they have put into perspective why hybrid is so important in contemporary architecture. It seems that paradigms in the world outside of architecture are changing along with technologies and therefore architecture as well is transitioning. People’s lives today incorporate many complex and changing factors due to cultural and technological shifts, and it seems that traditional senses of space are not suited to accommodate such situations. This is why the idea of flexibility integral to hybrid is so important. In FOA’s description of the Yokuhama terminal they write “Intensive space; that is, a kind of spatiality where the capacity of space is not directly related to size, and where the quality of space varies differentially, rather than as a discontinuity. Intensive space is generally more effective at dealing with shifting programmatic conditions, evolution of programs, etc…intensive space is differentially flexible, which means that if offers multiple conditions in a continuum” (pg. 17)

The article Animate Form also speaks of this flexibility when it talks about the boat hull as an example. It can function in many different temporal conditions because its form it carries smart points that can handle variable situations. “In this way, topology allows for not just the incorporation of a single moment but rather a multiplicity of vectors and therefore, a multiplicity of times, in a single continuous surface” (pg. 10). This idea of a smart continuous surface is essential to the conversation of our evolving cities where the lack of space will require architecture can that carry numerous functions and applications.