Assignment no.

1 : Reading exercise
Amina Stoenescu - 08.06.2021-
 Experiencing architecture
For today I had a pleasant reading of Rasmussen's book,
"Experiencing Architecture." even if there are broad
definitions for the term "architecture", Rasmussen's
seemed to incorporate its features as completely as
possible, defining it as an art that cannot be separated
into a number of elements, because its limits cannot be
well defined. One quote that I particularly liked is
“Architecture is produced by ordinary people, for
ordinary people; therefore it should be easily
comprehensible to all.” He claims that it is not enough
just to “see” a building, you have to experience it. You
have to properly observe the building in order to
understand the decisions the architect made when
designing it. It’s about noticing the purpose of the space
and how it has been tuned to the entire concept and
rhythm of the area. Rasmussen claims that the architect
must be aware of the texture, colour and orientation of
the space and why those components were chosen.
According to the text, architecture should be known as
a type of ’special’ fine art. It is compared to sculpture
and painting–but the difference between them is clear.
Theatre Foster Partners and
Heatherwick Studio
 Experiencing architecture
All types of art (including architecture) play with the
concept of form and mass. They are all created with the
intention to appeal to the eye. Despite this, architecture
seeks functionality, solves problems and is a utility.

Interestingly, the author compares architects to

“theatrical producers” organising our spaces and the
lives we live within them. This isn’t an easy job, as
“composing the music which others will play” means
being aware of all different types of natural behaviour–
which differs from one time or place to another.
He argues that older buildings, even if they are
charming, must be kept in their original setting.
Imbalance may occur by trying to bring them back to
our times or to modernize them . Therefore , such
discordance is creating a visual effect that may be less
pleasing to the eye.

Theatre Foster Partners and

Heatherwick Studio
Notes
-architecture is more complex than some people think ,
it is not produced simply by adding plans and sections
or elevations
-a building should be made on the right site and
surroundings , to serve a purpose
-architecture is a functional art that solves practical
problems
-The architect is a sort of theatrical producer, the man
who plans the setting for our lives. Innumerable
circumstances are dependent on the way he arranges
this setting for us
-one of the proofs of good architecture is that it is being
utilized as the architect had planned.