Architectural innovation

breaking the rules: How

does it work?

DEconstruction
DEconstruction
• The name derivates from the method of french
philosopher Jacques Derrida: “The laws of Reading are
determined by a particular text that is being read”
• By alterating the typography, we might alterate the
meaning for the reader, just like in the image.
• Reversing the word DESTRUCTION
• For the propositive DECONSTRUCTION
 DEconstruction

• The first experimentation in

this form of architecture goes
back to the 70’s as a product
of advertising and
merchandising.
• The main goals were
• To surprise the client at any
price.
• To confuse and entertain in an
amusing way.
• To play with the unexpected.
Image: BEST supermarket model, SITE.
SITE (Sculpture in the
Environment)

• SITE Architectural office, established

by James Winnes in 1969. SITEand
its leader, James Wine, had
consolidated a metaphorical
architecture, de-architecture.
• Their Most famous Works are the
BEST supermarkets. The unique and
individual extreme makeovers given
to nine Best Products catalog
showroom stores between 1971 and
1984.
• In this buildings, the walls are
ruined, inclinated, peeled off.
 • Designed (as were all of the projects) by architecture firm SITE
Inc. (“Sculpture In The Environment”), the initial installation featuring a
The peeling Project front facade that appears to be peeling away from the building ended
up giving its name to the entire series of nine works.
(1971) • Portions of the brick veneer façade are peeled away into space.
SITE
The Notch Project
• Towson, Maryland, EU
1978
• These architectural
concepts treated the
standard “Big box”
prototype
BEST
Supermarkets and
SITE
• The idea was a critic
distance with the
rationalism of other
stores.
• Expressive art based on
irony.
• But..behind the facade, it
was just another
supermarket
BEST
Supermarkets
and SITE
 Tools for DEconstruction

Displacement Fragmentation Deformation Instability Intertwine,

Implies that an The process of The action or • Dematerialization interlock
object has being broken process of
been into fragments. changing in
displaced. shape
Displacement
• Implies that an object
has moved, or it has
been displaced.
• Located out of place.
• Part of a building, or a
fragment of it, is out of
the logic place it should
be.
Fragmentation

• Indeterminated Facade (1975-76)

• Houston, Texas, 1976
Deformation
• The action or process of
changing in shape or
distorting
• The result of deforming;
change of form
Instability

• The quality of not being stable,

balanced, or predictable.
• Lack of stability; unstable. ​The
state of being likely to change or
fail suddenly. Tendency to
unpredictable behavior or
erratic changes
Dematerialization
An idea in conceptual art where the art object is
no longer material
 • Of two or more things: engage with each other by overlapping or
Intertwine, by the fitting together of projections and recesses.
• Royal Ontario Museum. Daniel LIebeskind
interlock.
Modeling deconstruction
excersize
How do we employ Deconstruction tools?
You will need

• 1 package of clay, any color. You might

borrow it from your little brother or sister
and then return it after use.
• Or 1 package of Play Doh, any color.
• Cutter.
• Rule.
• Cardboard base.
Instructions

1. Make a perfect cube 4 to 5 cm. Each side.

2. Cut (or fragment) in several irregular pieces.
AVOID rect angles.(90º)
3. Arrange them to make a “Building” on the
cardboard base.
4. Remember it has to look like Deconstructivist
architecture, this is, unstable.
5. Once you are satisfied with your model, take
several pictures from different angles.
6. Make a presentation or inphography,
mentioning the deconstruction tools you
employed for this excersize.