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    Jahnavi Jayashankar
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    The document summarizes Reyner Banham's article "A Black Box, the Secret Profession of Architecture". It discusses how architecture is like a "black box" in that the design process is not fully understood by outsiders. While others can create aesthetic or efficient buildings, an architect's formal training and practice of drawing gives them an alternative way of thinking that is reflected in the integrated organization and detailing of forms in their designs. Examples like Norman Foster and Richard Hopkins' buildings hint at the conceptual basis acquired in an architectural education that distinguishes an architect's work. A case study on rewriting a pattern language for housing in Kabul further illustrates how an architect applies deeper conceptualization as the force behind patterns.

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    Synopsis of A black box

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    The document summarizes Reyner Banham's article "A Black Box, the Secret Profession of Architecture". It discusses how architecture is like a "black box" in that the design process is not fully understood by outsiders. While others can create aesthetic or efficient buildings, an architect's formal training and practice of drawing gives them an alternative way of thinking that is reflected in the integrated organization and detailing of forms in their designs. Examples like Norman Foster and Richard Hopkins' buildings hint at the conceptual basis acquired in an architectural education that distinguishes an architect's work. A case study on rewriting a pattern language for housing in Kabul further illustrates how an architect applies deeper conceptualization as the force behind patterns.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    43 views1 page

    Synopsis of A Black Box

    Uploaded by

    Jahnavi Jayashankar
    The document summarizes Reyner Banham's article "A Black Box, the Secret Profession of Architecture". It discusses how architecture is like a "black box" in that the design process is not fully understood by outsiders. While others can create aesthetic or efficient buildings, an architect's formal training and practice of drawing gives them an alternative way of thinking that is reflected in the integrated organization and detailing of forms in their designs. Examples like Norman Foster and Richard Hopkins' buildings hint at the conceptual basis acquired in an architectural education that distinguishes an architect's work. A case study on rewriting a pattern language for housing in Kabul further illustrates how an architect applies deeper conceptualization as the force behind patterns.

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    Thesis Seminar Assignment 3 -Jahnavi J, 1RW17AT038, 04-05-2021

    Synopsis on the Article- ‘A Black Box, the Secret Profession of Architecture’ Reyner Banham
    What is a black box?

    As the author mentions in this article, a black box is a system which is recognised by its inputs/outputs but is
    ‘unknown in its contents’. In that sense the author, Reyner Banham, largely compares the architectural mode
    (modo architectorum) of design as a black box.

    Persons correctly socialised into the profession of architecture have an inherent way of thinking, a
    philosophy of design although based on unspoken assumptions that holds an air of mystery and provides a
    conceptual basis through deeper enquiry. Reyner through this article argues that even if all the world can by
    various mean create aesthetic or efficient buildings, what distinguishes an architect in this profession is the
    methodology of doing the same.

    Although engineers might enjoy structural exhibitionism as much as an architect, the detailing,
    integration and organisation of forms at different scales sets apart an architect’s design. This method of
    thinking is picked up from the studio and the habit of drawing- disegno – which is an integral part of the
    profession. This difference you can see in the buildings like Norman Foster’s Renault centre or Hopkins
    Schlumberger labs in Cambridge.

    Christopher Alexander’s ‘A pattern Language’ set out to revolutionise the industry but when given to
    a layman could only produce buildings which fit into the mid-century style. The force behind the formation of
    patterns, through critical thinking to arrive at a ‘right’ solution, is an architect. What is inside the black box
    remains a mystery but these examples hint at the alternative mental sets that students acquire in a studio
    which later reflect in the profession and distinguish the ‘non-architecture’.

    The case study (c1.) (below) about (re)writing the pattern language for housing in Kabul reveals further how
    the architect is the force behind a pattern and illustrates his deeper conceptualisation.

    Source: USING PATTERN LANGUAGE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE: TEACHING A BEGINNING ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO AT KABUL
    UNIVERSITY, by Hemayatullah Azizi

    37. House Clusters: A Pattern language 21. Four storey limit: A Pattern Language

    Case study c1. Case study c1.

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