In order to properly categorize blog posts I'll be inserting an icon at the top left of certain posts. As this post is an introduction to the EX, DX, LX concept I've attached a mock-up of the digital book cover. The essays tagged with this icon will combine to form the printed edition. The EX, DX, LX concept owes a debt to Steve Mouzon's Classical to Vernacular Spectrum. Mouzon's description of the range of subtle variation from humble rural structures all the way through high classical civic structures was crucial to understanding how a sense of place is engendered. It is more than just the patina of time that is needed for a place to feel real as opposed to contrived. This great variety within a narrow range is what differentiates the authentic from the fakes. The Spectrum allows for straightforward categorization and codification of architectural character. In so doing it exposes an interesting paradox. Either due to the availability of materials or the skill set of the local craftsmen, the vernacular constituted the low end of this spectrum graduating to the high classical. At one time the vernacular was also the most cost effective means of construction. With changes in the supply chain allowing for greater distribution of materials and the change in the availability of skilled crafstmen, however, there was an inversion where the authentic vernacular became less cost effective than the mid-range. The vernacular inversion means that people will actually have to pay more for a building with a humble aesthetic. This is not a criticism. For the purposes of taxonomy the classical to vernacular holds, but for establishing price point within a new community there needs to be another metric. In looking to find this metric it became apparent that within the spectrum was the potential to allow a structure to change its caste over time. If a structure can change its station in life then so, too, can a community of these structures. Transformative and transcendental, a treatise of architecture can be developed around this concept. The intent of EX, DX, LX is to propose such an operating system that will allow for the design of new structures and renovation of existing structures that not only facilitate adaptive reuse, but also establishes a path where value can be added to the building and the community over time.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
EX, DX, LX
In order to properly categorize blog posts I'll be inserting an icon at the top left of certain posts. As this post is an introduction to the EX, DX, LX concept I've attached a mock-up of the digital book cover. The essays tagged with this icon will combine to form the printed edition. The EX, DX, LX concept owes a debt to Steve Mouzon's Classical to Vernacular Spectrum. Mouzon's description of the range of subtle variation from humble rural structures all the way through high classical civic structures was crucial to understanding how a sense of place is engendered. It is more than just the patina of time that is needed for a place to feel real as opposed to contrived. This great variety within a narrow range is what differentiates the authentic from the fakes. The Spectrum allows for straightforward categorization and codification of architectural character. In so doing it exposes an interesting paradox. Either due to the availability of materials or the skill set of the local craftsmen, the vernacular constituted the low end of this spectrum graduating to the high classical. At one time the vernacular was also the most cost effective means of construction. With changes in the supply chain allowing for greater distribution of materials and the change in the availability of skilled crafstmen, however, there was an inversion where the authentic vernacular became less cost effective than the mid-range. The vernacular inversion means that people will actually have to pay more for a building with a humble aesthetic. This is not a criticism. For the purposes of taxonomy the classical to vernacular holds, but for establishing price point within a new community there needs to be another metric. In looking to find this metric it became apparent that within the spectrum was the potential to allow a structure to change its caste over time. If a structure can change its station in life then so, too, can a community of these structures. Transformative and transcendental, a treatise of architecture can be developed around this concept. The intent of EX, DX, LX is to propose such an operating system that will allow for the design of new structures and renovation of existing structures that not only facilitate adaptive reuse, but also establishes a path where value can be added to the building and the community over time.
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