Tham & Videgård Arkitekter

The Operative Elements of Architecture

Introduction

Double Helix Tower Tree Hotel Karlsson HouseCloud ChamberNew KirunaKalmar Museum of ArtKarlshamn Library and Cultural CenterDouble House Garden House Bergman CenterOrdos 100 Moderna Museet MalmöVästra Kajen School of ArchitectureHouse KStockholm Concert Hall Vertical VillageNaturum Laponia House Husarö Emergency Architecture Krabbesholm HøjskoleCreek HouseHumlegården Apartment Department Store Uppsala Vällingby Parkstad Summerhouse Söderöra Electron Microscope BuildingSummerhouse Krokholmen Island HousesHornsbruksgatan Archipelago HouseCircuit HouseDouble HousesBotanic Garden HouseHotel KalmarTellus Nursery School Atrium HouseSchool of EconomicsHouse Lagnö

Project descriptions

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approach to context that determines whether an architectural project works - both at its location and within its own time. It follows that architecture should be closely allied to its contexts and be firmly anchored to earn its place in reality. Originating from our interest in multiple contexts this is an investigation we pursue in our practise and in every project we undertake. It has resulted in an approach where the analysis of a site and the interpretation of a functional program can produce an architecture that is informed, diverse and integrated with its specific place in society, whether in wild nature, or in a city.

Architecture is about the future. A building stands for hundreds of years, so inevitably it is not only contemporary but also a form of continued history projected into the future. Seen from this perspective, all the ordinary circumstances affecting the conception of a new building or a new urban environment, are secondary to the lasting impact and quality of the construction: its long term environmental effect, its architectural integrity and function, its capacity to convey the ideas and ideals of society. The end result is the only thing that matters.

These short notes will not cover or define everything that constitutes architecture, but are a desire to express some of the observations and fundamental aspects regarding what shapes our experience of built space. It is a discussion that we find ourselves returning to in the daily work of our studio.

ArchitectureOriginally responding to a need to provide man with shelter and protection from the elements, architecture is about creating and organising space. It has evolved through thousands of years of history, from something primitive to an art form in its own right that encompasses a number of cultural layers, a complex and varied practise of building. The need for expediency and adaptation to site-specific conditions has generated different solutions for the same needs, from the Igloo and the Tipi to the Yurt. Hence, the physical contextual conditions have created an obvious starting point for the shaping of buildings. Parallel to this, each region has developed its own identity in which philosophy, religion and law form a framework for life. This in turn has generated distinct cultural contexts that, together with the physical context, constitutes the basis for all architecture.

ContextsOne factor that makes architectural work constantly interesting and inspiring is context. If you look closely enough at a project’s context - its physical, cultural and ideological environment - you will find an inexhaustible source of inspiration for new solutions to any architectural program. In fact, one can argue that it is primarily the

Operative ElementsWhen looking at architectural work we often return to a discussion on what we call the operative elements of architecture. All great works of architecture – be it the Mayan pyramids, La Rotonda, the Lingotto, the villa Savoye, or the Kunsthaal – have strong cultural presence and offer distinct spatial experiences.These constructions are all consequences of their specific cultural and physical context but also results of a precise and exact handling of space and how it is organised. Spatial relationships, light, movement, proportion, scale, mass/void, rhythm, repetition and structure are the cornerstones of the experience of architecture. These concepts - the operative elements - are the architect’s primary tools. They are the building blocks that shape the actual experience, and the effect is consistent, regardless of epoch.We live in a time when, through real and virtual travel, the world is getting smaller. Globalisation provides people around the world with common

Introduction

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references, presenting architects with new opportunities – a more open attitude toward different ideas – but also challenges – the risk of neglecting context and of reproducing meaningless uniformity. However, a combination of an analysis of the physical and cultural context and precision in the use of the operative elements of architecture, enables one to generate site specific and distinct buildings, an architecture that is relevant and meaningful. It requires a certain clarity to achieve something that really works and makes a difference. Basically, it is about separating architecture from style and beginning with perception, physical impact and lived experience instead. The best architecture is clear enough to offer multiple readings depending on whom, when, and where you are.

super-concept. Often based on a non-existing problem or constructive challenges invented by the architect who then produces a ‘solution’ and the evidence that supports the extraordinary actions and efforts needed to realise the scheme. It has generated an architecture that is self-referential and intellectually representative. It does not necessarily relate to the reality of its site or function and the actual experience of space is subordinated. So a lot of talent has been put into producing bold concepts and less attention to the craft and materialisation of the real building. As a response to this situation we have come to be even more interested in the importance of the original craft that drives the profession and the potential that the process from idea (concept) to construction represents. This has added inspiration to our research on what makes a real difference in architecture, and how to best use these observations and this accumulated knowledge as a guide for architectural design.

TimeThroughout history, architecture has always been a generalist profession. Everything from hard facts such as building regulations, ground conditions, construction methods, project economy, plumbing, air ventilation, energy consumption, as well as soft values like social quality, functionality in relation to program, light conditions, acoustic and spatial experience, proportion and scale, have all been included in the scope of work to build a successful building. Today you may get the impression that some of these aspects/factors will in fact be the overruling ones (sustainability, economy, design process) and sufficiently influential to motivate and build what otherwise would be considered as poor architecture. We find this short-term and process driven perspective strange. The focus of architectural work has to include everything in order to reach beyond the singularity of technical or administrative limits.

SocietySince the built environment is something that we cannot avoid being exposed to and that consequently affects all of us, there is a responsibility towards society. Cities, buildings

The RealRecently an ever more conceptualised take on architecture has emerged. It can be described as a kind of substitute of the postmodern symbolical, and then metaphorical, concepts of the seventies and eighties, or the nineties theoretical and auto generated architecture. A new pseudo way of communicating the cleverness of a building proposal has surfaced as the new standard: the

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and urban spaces are the results of our common efforts to construct society, and as such dependant on more or less well thought out ideas as well as the economical and political direction.The general level of architectural quality is a direct result of how the culture of architecture is valued within society since this in turn determines the acceptable cost and time frame of each project. History shows that buildings of high architectonic quality tend to be well cared for and well preserved which over the years have turned the initial investment into a success, both from an economic and cultural point of view. What these buildings have in common is that they have all provided, both functional and aesthetical values that have lasted for many generations, independent of the changeability of prevailing tendencies and specific uses. This supports the idea to create an efficient and sustainable architecture, an architecture that lasts over time, both as physical construction and as usable architecture by force of its generic spatial qualities.

defined vision of the final result and then shape the organisation needed according to that idea. It is also clear that current quality systems (BREAM, Green building etc) do not reward real long term performance. In fact some of the best ways of construction in relation to a lifecycle perspective are instead often found in basic construction methods free from fragile high-tech features.

WorkWe are often told that our work has a characteristic way of relating to its site, often a place where nature is present. While we don’t believe in a specific Nordic approach, the experience of growing up with access to pristine nature, has brought a certain interest and understanding of how architecture relates to a landscape, whether it is urban, rural or natural and also how that rapport can be used as a vehicle to further the architectural idea in any given context.

With our team, every new project begins with a search for the most direct solution to the brief, the actual task: what are the client`s needs and desires, from a pragmatic perspective in relation to its multiple contexts. Such a solution can be formulated without regard to architectural form. It is only when the program is solved that work on the architectural design, the architect’s actual craftsmanship, commences. The building’s internal logic and potential is developed using the operative elements. Intuition and pragmatism interact with a desire for a certain expressivity and architectural clarity, which can often generate new and unexpected solutions. This is when it is determined whether a good idea will also be turned into strong architecture.

The End Result Given the time a building should stand in relation to the short time span of its conception, the only thing that really should matter is the final result: the overall construction performance and its architectural quality. This is however a perspective that is often neglected in the short sighted financial and political environment in which most buildings are being produced today. Instead of being merely preoccupied on how to create linear processes to produce buildings, we believe it would make sense to start with a well

Illustrations: p5 Storage building, 1662 Piteå, Sweden. p6 Lingotto factory, Mattè-Trucco 1916-1923 Turin, Italy. p7 Mayan pyramid, IV-V century, Calakmul, Mexico.