Master graduation research studio | 2012
instructors: prof. dr. Bernard Colenbrander, Sjef van Hoof arch. AvB
Prior to the master graduation project, TU/e graduation studio Complexity and Contradiction conducted a six months research on the theory of American architect Robert Venturi. In his book Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (published 1966), he pleads for including conflicts in designs when these occur, instead of excluding them; which is the modernistic 'less is more' doctrine. Venturi illustrates his counterpart 'less is a bore' with many examples from the architectural history, among which many from periods such as Baroque, Mannerism, and Gothic (revival). Again and again he uncovers where conflicts occur and how they influenced the design.
The studio analysed, interpreted, and explained this theory, in order to formulate a design repertoire, which nowadays seems to be neglected in the architectural profession. The terms which Venturi uses are categorised hierarchically, in a diagram which was used to review case studies. The complete research is published in Dutch, entitled De architectuur van complexiteit en contradictie. The publication forms a starting point for the individual design task, which functions as a case study and extension of the research's casuistry.
collaboration: Rutger Brouwers, Marijn van den Bussche, Lisanne Havinga, Bart Hellings, Ryanne Janssen, Ben van Laerhoven, Bram Stoeldraijer, Eline Tops, Mark Wevers