Art and Craft of the machine - F.L.W

Introduction

Like in Wright's explanation (1901), most theoretical works about Architecture influence practices like the Kunsthaus in Graz (2003), to create the basic understanding that architecture depends, the relation between Wright's view about the machine and its use in practices in the 20th Century could have inspired or influenced modern practices in the 21st Century and helped guide modern Architects in mechanical tools and technological advances.

This paper's main issues are the links between Wright's theory (1901) and how it influenced current practices in the 20th Century, like the Kunsthaus in Graz by Architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier.

This paper is also an attempt to show the link between theoretical works and other current practices. The paper will spotlight the influences that the theory has on architecture, note other theories that influence architecture from the Lecture series, analyze the machine in Wright's explanation, and discuss how current projects have used the tool.

The paper will be summarized as follows:

Relations between Wrights explanation of the machine (1901) and how Architects at Spacelab Cook-Fournier have used it in the Kunsthaus, Graz (2003)

The ideas expressed in the theory and its effect on older periods, how we can learn from them.

How similar theories from the lecture series have influenced practices in the late 20th and 21st Centuries.

How the machine influences practices in the 21st Century.

Relations between Wright's Explanation of the machine and how architects at Spacelab Cook Fournier have used it in the Kunsthaus, Graz

In theory, the main issues Wright identifies are the Handicraft ideas and the destruction of material of quality by the Art and Craft; Mistreatment of the machine and benefits if appropriately used; Lack of recognition and acknowledgment of the tool by society at his time of writing. His explanation educates us on misrepresentation and rejection of essential tools and how, if we can learn from our previous mistakes, we can take note of the machine and incorporate it into all design and everyday life for its limitless benefits to society.

Wrights theory (1901) gives us an understanding of the correct and inappropriate ways of using the machine. His theory notes the benefits and flaws that Architects and artists need to be aware of and how appropriate use of the tool can contribute to a "glorious future" (Wright, 1901, Page 77). Cook and Fournier's project (2003) is an example of the future of architecture, supported by the machine's tools, to create more luxuries in Architecture previously ignored.

There is a relation here because the Architects at Spacelab Cook Fournier acknowledge the machine's benefits as an essential tool and utilize it in its structural development. The Architects have also recognized it as a perfect tool that can render quality material into the actual state of plastic: "No treatment that does not bring out these qualities all the time can be plastic or appropriate or beautiful" (Wright, 1901, Page 87)

The architects at Spacelab Cook Fournier embody the proper plastic quantities in material Wright talks of that allow the machine to render these materials to a high quality that we can embrace in organic form. The architects (2003) used the machine to create unique textures and shapes that would have been difficult to construct by a human effort like traditional Art and Craft. The firm at Spacelab Cook Fournier utilizes the tool's tendencies in the "Cutting, Shaping, smoothing and repetitive capacity" (Wright, 1901, Page 87) to construct the facade's physical exteriors makeup of their design's structure.

Wright could have influenced the machine's use in this project (2003) in rendering and structural support. The Architects incorporated the tool in their project, learning from Wright's teaching about the advantages of the machine age and industrialization and past mistakes that abused natural form in the material. They use the machine to create an efficient and straightforward way to develop the Kunsthaus and reveal aesthetic beauty from the machine's forms.

Wright's description of the machine's rendering efficiency as a "marvelous simplifier" (Wright, 1901, Page 87) for design could have influenced the Architects in their ideas for the Kunsthaus' construction. Cook and Fournier used Wright's ideas about the machine to render plastic molded and shaped into position to make up the plexiglass facade.

In Theory, Wright identified that the machine is efficient in simplifying material components that can reveal the actual state of material possibilities without compressing elements forcibly into a compound form. Wright's knowledge of the machine influenced Peter Cook and Colin Fournier to perfect their materials to imitate the actual plastic qualities through lamination of the fabric membrane and mesh in the exterior. The Architects used this process to simplify construction and cost by incorporating different elements like Carbon, Mylar film, Fibre, Optic cables and molding them efficiently.

Wright educates Architects like those at Spacelab Cook Fournier to share his understanding of the machine as a natural simplifier able to comprise different elements and compose them into the proper plastic without hindering the material's organic form.