Creative Evolution

An argument on paradigm Shift  

What is sign of human existence or presence?

Sign of human existence or presence are man made artifacts and imposed ‘orders’. Human creates and organize. To organize means to impose an ‘order’. Imposition of ‘order’ on both nature and humanity. Another sign is evolution i.e. To ‘live’ is to ‘evolve’. Evolution is related to creation or evolution in ability to create.This essay does not target any specific field of study but tries to develop a general argument on creative evolution. Study targets factors which makes this creative evolution possible and reasons for current apparent stagnation in creative evolution. One might argue on current bombardment of creations but this essay tries to analyze change in base structure of creative evolution not the quantum of created and corollaries.

Framework of study 

An ‘equation’ is a (primarily mathematical) statement that asserts the equality of two expressions. It tries to understand the relations and develops a possibility where both expressions exist in conciliation. Balance in equations are basic human trait and on them depends our existential pattern. The equations are basic component of the structure of the ‘order’.  ‘Order’ identifies what comes before or after or pre defines the probability of behavior of ‘values’ based on equations. ‘Order’ is most important aspect of civilization and human evolution.Evolution is change or shift of ‘order’. ‘Orders’ arrange themselves to create a ‘system’. ‘System’ is a set of interacting or interdependent ‘orders’ (system components) forming an integrated whole. 

‘Systems’ operate on ‘orders’ and equations. These infinite equations define existence.Not every equation is balanced and some time indeterminate equation arise or ‘values’ do not confirm to equations.To exemplify, we can start with very simple equation of division which explains all essential terms and background which will be used in this essay. In equation of division, the dividend is divided by divisor to achieve quotient but when value is not perfectly divisible result comes with ‘remainders’. The behavior of these ‘remainders’ is of prime interest in this essay. Essay uses mathematical terms as tool to exploit multiplicity of meaning. 

‘Remainders’ and Importance 

‘Values’ which confirm to the equation are accepted in the ‘system’ but some ‘values’ don’t confirm.The existence of the ‘remainders’ implies that the ‘order’ accepts the value’s  partial behavior but leaves some ‘remainders’ which can’t be accepted in ‘order’. ‘Values’ which confirm to equations completely are rare. Almost every value has a remainder and this contribute to integrated whole of ‘remainders’. These ‘remainders’ also define and redefine ‘system’ and adds to identity of the ‘system’. These ‘remainders’ adds on to instability which overturns its structure or identity time and again to create a new ‘system’. This new system is based on accommodation of ‘remainders’ as ‘values’ instead as ‘remainders’. The simple relation of the ‘remainders’ goes very complex with interaction in various ‘orders’ and ‘systems’. ‘Orders’ exist on  relation of differences. ‘Order’ needs these ‘values’ of difference as an example but at the same time not valuing the differences.  ‘Remainders’ are the agents of the changes and suppressed aspect of the ‘order’. The imposition of the ‘order’ is opposed in ‘remainders’ and these are which do not confirm to the ‘order’ and wish to prove the existence more than just the ‘order’. Certainly this opposition grows from ‘order’ to ‘reminders’ and then vice-versa but in exponential intensities.

‘Explorations’ to ‘Exploitation’

A new ‘order’ is trying to establish itself.The ‘order’ which is innovative and accommodating difference. One can’t trace a sharp ridge of change in the ‘order’ in every paradigm shift. Some planned revolutions which overturned existing ‘order’ can notice these sharp departures but if one observes these in more broader terms then its almost impossible to trace the exact moments of shift. ‘Remainders’ try to initiate equation which is balanced and accepts it as a value.The sift of the ‘order’ starts with this equation based on an ‘exploration’ which some times contradicts the existing ‘order’ and ‘system’. This exploration grows into an equation of independent existence and some time overturns the complete ‘order’ and structure. This witnesses a rise of a completely radical ‘system’. ‘System’ of a new ‘spirit’ and ‘expression’. The ‘Exploration’ sets up itself as a new ‘order’ and existing ‘values’ are push to margins.The exploration ‘system’ often faces a new set of difficulties which are unprecedented. These difficulties were calculated being in the ‘existing’ ‘system’ but with whole paradigm shift calculations hold untrue. ‘System’ faces difficulties for which ‘exploration’ ‘system’ is not ready. Exploration ‘system’ tries to establishes and evolve but the odds against it also prevail. This new ‘order’ generates more revolutionary ‘remainders’. History repeats itself. When exploration ‘system’ is established, it works as previous ‘system’. It looses degree of exploration and what remains is just ‘system’. The moment which is of prime importance here is when exploration ‘system’ starts exploiting. The existence of harmony is suspended between these moments of exploration to exploitation. The frame of exploration is much less than the exploitation and soon exploitation of exploration prevails.

Innovation-differences and Mediation

Innovation lies in differences. Difference is most valuable property but throughout history one can trace attempts to exploit and abolish dimension on which differences exist. Contemporary practices appreciate neutralizing of differences and mediating them with averages. Differences should not be mediated. Mediation kills innovation. Limits remain constants and thinking shrinks when caged in limits.Thinking has a task of breaking limits, removing boundaries. Hegelian triad which advocates fusion of the singularity of ‘thesis’ to complexity of ‘antithesis’ for achieving ‘organized complexity’ of synthesis is the base of this mediation. This model is not justifiable to thinking paradigm as it advocates synthesis as a tool of settlement and mediation of difference. Here thesis is a stable proposition challenged by antithesis but most thesis establish them as antithesis. Antithesis comes first to thesis and keeps on evolving and synthesis never happens. Organization of complexity is important aspect of Hegelian synthesis which can be seen as new forced ‘order’ which caters as mid-lending and deems stability.This is a negotiation between existing ‘order’ and emerging ‘order’.  This negotiation is creation of fake realm, just a disguise for identity of ‘orders’. ‘Remainders’ keep evolving and differences never die. Existence of ‘remainders’ is preferable over achieving mediation or resolution of ‘remainders’. Resolved and mediated ‘remainders’ are no ‘remainders’, they loose character. Mediation kills ideas and resolution is not solution but a new problem of compromises. Conflict of ‘orders’ and ideas is desirable and should be accommodated to enrich.

Stability of Unstable ‘Systems’

From previous arguments it can be assumed that ‘remainders’ are the most important aspect of a ‘order’. Though ‘remainders’ are undesirable for ‘order’ and system but on contrary are catalyst to evolution. ‘Order’ evolves to accommodate the ‘remainders’. If we segregate these ‘remainders’ from the ‘order’ then we will achieve absolutes which makes no progression possible.Evolution of ‘order’ dynamise the ‘system’ hence ‘order’ contributes to identity of the ‘system’. If ‘remainders’ are abolished, ‘order’ freezes, goes monotonous and hence is marginalized in ‘system’.

Where are ‘remainders’?

Its interesting to analyze current states of equations, ‘orders’ and ‘systems’ to question the current sate of ‘remainders’. It seems if equations have gone perfect or system has crashed or ‘remainders’ are extremely marginalized. Perfect equation means accommodation all the variables and relations to create a balanced in equation which satisfies all variable without ‘remainders’. Perfect equation is doubtable as it manifests Utopia and its for sure that its not Utopia. Anarchism is signified by Crash of system, which is also not evident.  Organization and marginalization of ‘remainders’ is important in this discussion as it relates to evolution wheel. This can be studied in following two possibilities -

Stooged ‘Remainders’: 

Remainder does not exist separate to ‘value’. Its inside value. Identification of remainders is an issue. If we closely observe the new working paradigms, its quite evident that ‘remainders’ are stooged. ‘Remainders’ exist for sake of being reminders. They just fill in space as essentials in equations and staged as real ‘remainders’. The equations are engineered to produce ‘remainders’ and are controlled by ‘order’. These observations can hold untrue in certain cases but what’s important here is evolution of a new ‘order’ and set of equations which stage a complete paradigm. Here its important to notice that these fake ‘remainders’ confirm organization and structure of the ‘order’ more than variables itself. These ‘remainders’ confirm more to system than ‘absolutes’. As variables and entries which confirm to equation and ‘order’ can improvise to generate some ‘remainders’ but these ‘remainders’ loose there this ability in stooging. These ‘remainders’ are inseparable component of the ‘order’ and deem no evolution. So the ‘remainders’ existing in the ‘order’ are no ‘remainders’ but ‘values’ acting as ‘remainders’.

Oppressed Remainders’: 

Phenomenon of oppression is quite natural. Its inherited in ‘order’ to oppresses ‘remainders’ in every possible means and to retain its identity. This age is facing a unique type of ‘remainders’ and that is ‘remainders of identity crisis’. These ‘remainders’ have no idea about there role in the ‘order’ and responsibility to change course of the ‘order’. Main crisis is not physical oppression but loss of senses and understanding. Current oppression works on duality of body and mind. The mental construct of the ‘values’ and relations has an induced passiveness to ‘remainders’. The ability of mind to oppose is systematically ceased which in turn has handicapped physical actions. The essential condition for upturning of the ‘order’ is physical slavery and mental freedom which is vice versa. ‘orders’ always enjoyed physical superiority of structure to ‘remainders’ (which makes them ‘remainders’) for oppression and has created possibilities for ‘remainders’ to act as ‘values’. These ‘remainders’ have no idea of there existence as ‘remainders’.

Conclusion:

This is age of crisis for ‘order’ and ‘systems’. ‘Systems’ have broken base structure and hope to survive. As discussed earlier, base structure of equation and relations are voided. The ‘remainders’ are mediated, stooged and disguised. Possibility of the evolution is ceased. This is not the first time when ‘systems’ are enjoying this supremacy but this flamboyance will shatter. Change is inevitable and more one resists more is the deviation. The tool for initiation of the chain reaction in ‘remainders’ is ‘doubt’. Crisis is ‘remainders’ have ‘doubt’ of ‘existence’ instead of ‘existence’ of ‘doubt’. Deep down ‘remainder’ exists, ‘doubt’ gives it ‘existence’. Doubt in equation, ‘order’, ‘system’, value, value of value, ‘remainders’, value in ‘remainders’, ‘remainders’ of value and way it exist. Acceptance is confirmation and ‘doubt’ is virtue of evolution. 

Start ‘doubting’ and be ‘remainders’. 

References:

-Mathematical definitions used in frame work and concept of Hegelian triad is referred from Wikipedia.

What we lost in Slumdog Millionaire

When slumdog millionaire released, nearly two years ago, I was impressed with the story of fortune, translated in cinema with intertwined crude hidden realities. I liked the movie.

This was story long back. In Milan,I started interacting with people from various ethnicity, regions, countries and received the global impact of the movie. We may be foremost country to stabilize our economy in post recession time or our GDP may be one of most constant in last 10 years but affect of cinema is more intense than stories of Incredible India and news rolls. Oscar win to Slumdog Millionaire was the worst thing which could happen for the India we know, we live in. Slumdog Millionaire has floated a pseudo-image of India in global youth. Those, who ,never had any knowledge about India were induced with these pseudo-opinions, images and conditions in India, which for them are as 'more real  than reality. For most youth around globe understanding of India is based on fake reality of this movie.

I don’t deny and over rule all themes addressed in the movie with every question. This is also not about hiding the reality of India from globe but i am against the image which this movie intentionally or unintentionally addressed.This story by Vikas Swarup is a definitely a work of art which weaves around these stark realities and jumps from one to other propagating the idea of ‘destiny’.In the movie this message is addressed very weakly and screenplay delivers all the message or I shall say that screenplay of the movie is so strong that it dominates the idea of the story. I have no grudges against developed world but I take this liberty to asses the state of mind which can desire this movie. I think, this movie is product of fascination to power differential in countries and concentrating on darkest spots in developing nations. A work of cinema which is fascinated by poverty and serving non-digestive contrast as a tool for its success. Very cleverly this movie has managed to incorporate all the problems in any developing country and I would complement Danny Boyle, who has efficiently translated and made it to Oscars. This movie can be seen as a compact work about misery of third world countries which developed countries can enjoy and exclaim “ is this real..?" and thank to god for their good situation. I believe this Oscar is not for the cinematic competence of the movie but for arousing this lost feeling of ‘ecstasy’ about them and ‘pity’ for third world countries.

To sum up, impact of Slumdog Millionaire is not favorable to India. The whole idea of 'destiny' in India, which I believe is the central idea of the story has turned out to be portrait of  "Miserable INDIA”.

Tushar Gaur 

Milano,2010

THE USE OF INTELLIGENT GLASS & INTELLIGENT USE OF GLASS

The following paper won the 2nd place in http://www.glazette.com/30-a-vision-through-glass.html

The Author Himanshu Soni is currently doing is PG in Masters in Theory & Design, CEPT university

THE USE OF INTELLIGENT GLASS & INTELLIGENT USE OF GLASS

A VISION THROUGH GLASS

“An honest effort becomes more appreciable then winning”

- by me (Ar. Himanshu Soni)

While sitting and looking at GLASS …. Yes GLASS ….. Glass of my laptop screen, I got across this: “The use of intelligent glass and intelligent use of glass”. Thinking of it I went deep into ocean of my thoughts, with these few words surrounded by practical knowledge and rationalism gained by me in almost 23 years of life both consciously and unconsciously.

It was then it came to me in four ways:

· The use of glass,

· The use of intelligent glass,

· The intelligent use of glass, and

· The intelligent use of intelligent glass.

In order as written above these represent the rising stage of consciousness towards GLASS.

The use of glass

Have you ever imagined how the use of material is determined?

If we start listing uses of glass as a material, then uses will be innumerable. The reason is not that the material in question is glass, but it is the fact that any material lists its uses because of these three; firstly, its practical application; secondly, its ongoing research (seen as future use) and thirdly, imagination and dreams of masterminds (seen as unseen future).

The only factor that remains constant or major domain of a material which never separates it from its name are its very basic properties. These properties become its very basic information and the only reason for its innumerable uses. In order to use glass and understand its existing uses following is the basic information:

· Disordered and Amorphous structure

· Brittle nature makes its fragile and easily breakable into sharp pieces,

· Optically ranges from transparent to translucent and lustrous,

· Solid and Hard material,

· Inert and biologically inactive material,

· 100% recyclable material, and

· High refractive index.

One must keep in mind basic properties of glass as material before determining its use because these have been and will remain in future the guiding factor. The only thing which will change will context, the surrounding fabric of its existence.

Being the scientists, designers, architects, researchers, engineers… being an intelligent species the responsibility rests on our shoulders to best use glass as material, without forgetting its basic characteristics. For e.g. being an architect I would see glass as material that provides one vision across things, maintains visual connectivity but physical barrier, lightens space, maintains connection with nature etc. and see them as its very basic uses which had to be reflected whatever mode glass takes or technology it uses.

Being an intelligent species this great responsibility of supporting and upholding the beautiful creation of GOD i.e. nature rests with us and at the same time making life more enjoyable and easy for all living creatures in harmony with nature.

Majorly, idea is that, the use of glass is what we make out of it being blessed with intelligence but major concern is that are we doing intelligent use of glass. In the blind rush of acquiring more and more progress in technology and materialistic pleasures, somewhere we have lost the major principles and laws of our existence in equilibrium with nature. Nature, the very force holding our life’s intact and safe. To be sensitive towards this concern, it must remain at back of mind while defining use of any material.

“Motivation makes ordinary more ordinary than others;

extra-ordinary”

The use of intelligent glass

Intelligent, this word holds the key of making a glass intelligent, but what is intelligent in terms of glass?

Our researchers consider it as smart glass or glass that intelligently switches modes to suite the context or serve the needed cause. It is basically our intelligence which reflects into intelligent glass, or our need or our quest to solve an issue. For e.g. “types of smart glass can allow users to control the amount of light and heat passing through: with the press of a button, it changes from transparent to translucent, partially blocking light while maintaining a clear view of what lies behind the window”.

Any glass showing this attribute fully or partially becomes intelligent glass. Now, telling more about intelligent glass, taking its horizon to its use will be disrespect to time as 4^th dimension. Time shows continuous growth of technology and makes the new of today old of tomorrow. But then according to knowledge updated till date i.e. Monday, 20^th March, 2010 following is information regarding few intelligent glasses with their properties and basic uses(but uses can be innumerable as stated before, it all depends upon being intelligent to use our own reflected intelligence, so that it multiplies)

As stated in Wikipedia:

· Electro chromic glass: allows controlling the amount of light and heat passing through. The electro chromic material changes its opacity: it changes between a colored, translucent state (usually blue) and a transparent state. Electro chromic glass provides visibility even in the darkened state and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. Development of reflective hydrides, which become reflective rather than absorbing, and thus switch states between transparent and mirror-like. Modified porous nano-crystalline films have enabled the creation of electro chromic display.

· Suspended particle glass: It basically remains opaque and becomes transparent on passing small but constant electrical current.

· Polymer dispersed liquid crystal glass: It is generally milky white in appearance but changes to transparent with applied voltage. The degree of transparency can be controlled by the applied voltage.

· Micro- blinds: Micro-blinds control the amount of light passing through in response to applied voltage.

· Switchable LED glass: combines energy efficient LEDs to create a material for uses such as office partitions, business showcases, or special countertops.

“Information grows intelligence and intelligence further multiplies information”

- by me (Ar. Himanshu Soni)

The intelligent use of glass

“Every successful person is not enlightened, but every enlightened person is successful”

- by Sonu Nigam

I can’t enlighten your souls but may attempt enlightening your brains; a bit with few intelligent uses of glass.

“I can show you the way but you will need to walk on your own”

To show the way I would tell few simple intelligent use of glass in architecture. Architecture is just one field showing intelligent use of glass, there are numerous other fields and applications (again innumerable):

Climatically: It depends upon climate to decide locating glass façade in building. In hot climate it must be placed in north façade to avoid entry of sun’s direct heat and light and utilize maximum indirect and reflected light from north façade. In cold climate the thing stands opposite it is preferred to have glazed façade on south and west side. In composite climate one can make use of variation in tilt of sun’s movement in summers and winters by providing correct shape and size of projections and louvers. These all small and effective things can help a lot in making living conditions inside built environments more comfortable. Its just about understanding nature and its laws and going along with them. In interiors this intelligence melts down to very simple words: Glass as a material must be used to control visibility, semi-visibility and non-visibility of spaces. Also must be used as a material to control nature and quality of light. It may also be used as an acoustic material, if employed intelligently.

The intelligent use of intelligent glass

Now I will call this as the level where one needs to touch the highest level of consciousness to deal with both the intelligence. It is about exercising brain to make 2X2=4 and not dealing it like 2/2=1. Its about using not only one’s intelligence while determining use but also using that reflected intelligence. With so much a big platform one must think beyond the existing lines. For e.g. thinking beyond doesn’t mean thinking of energy; the application of material will save in its life, but thinking one step before and after i.e. how much energy goes into manufacturing of intelligent glass and how much carbon footprints it would leave after ending. If too much goes into manufacturing and knowingly or unknowingly these intelligent glasses are misused then we would hamper rather than harnessing.

This double intelligence must even think beyond rationalism; moving towards the softer aspects of our life our emotions. One must keep in mind human tendencies or tendencies of living forms around before making this intelligent use of intelligent glass. Its not always a formulae to reach to solution, in so much mechanized and computerized world we are losing those small things that mattered. In the mad rush of making every penny worth we are losing the importance of that small glimpse that we get from a small window as compared to a bigger glass façade. Those small beams of lights through small openings covered with colored glasses to make those soul touching patterns and ambiences, that too naturally. It’s a question do we really need so much of sophistication for these small happiness’s existing around us?

“Glass will remain intelligent only till our intelligence”

- by me (Ar. Himanshu Soni)

http://www.glazette.com/30-a-vision-through-glass.html

Structuring Urban Fragments

Structuring Urban Fragments

By Radhika Mathur

Abstract

The present scenario of suburbanization and gentrification has lead to a sudden expansion of cities to meet the demands of newer world views. The process has lead to fragmented growth of cities both spatially and experientially. The problem therefore is creation of isolated and detached urban fragments creating a dispersed urbanscape. The intent of the project is to bring about a structure within these fragments by diffusing, wedging and integrating existing fragments at strategic locations. The intent is achieved by characterization of the fragments on basis of density, use, built vs. open ratio, space character etc. namely – large impregnable voids (industrial estates), small insignificant patches, high density areas (slums), inherently structured and lost spaces (open spaces). The design attempts to structure the fragments through strategies of densification (redevelopment), network of movement, system of open spaces and appropriate accessibility. The major principles applied here for structuring are – continuity (visual and spatial), linkages, extension of an existing structure of uses and density, point overlap or stitching through multi use open spaces, seam like network of spaces and programs connecting high density fragments and patch like development of smaller fragments. The project is an attempt to provide a structure for transformation of existing areas and also to set guidelines for the future development of the site and city considered.

Keywords

Urban Fragmentation; isolation; characterisation; structuring; diffusing; integrating

The present scenario of suburbanization and gentrification has lead to a sudden expansion of cities to meet the demands of newer world views. The process has lead to fragmented growth of cities both spatially and experientially. The problem therefore is creation of isolated and detached urban fragments creating a dispersed urban scape.

The intent of this project was to bring about a structure within these fragments by diffusing, wedging and integrating existing fragments at strategic locations. The intent is achieved by characterization of the fragments on basis of density, use, built vs. open ratio, space character etc. namely – large impregnable voids (industrial estates), small insignificant patches, high density areas (slums), inherently structured and lost spaces (open spaces).

Concept of Urban Fragmentation

Term Fragmentation can be defined on the following basis:

· A process or action of breaking or separating into parts which form new individual units

· As a state of being fragmented

With respect to urban fabric and cities the fragmentation is understood in the following manner:

· As a generating process or a way of operating in the city

· A spatial phenomenon or state

· As urban experience or way of perceiving the city

Urban fragments

“One of the main lessons of the past two decades is that economic composition of places seems

to have become less and less permanent.”

(Harvey, 1989).

Urban fragments here define spaces or collection of spaces within the city which may either be

isolated from their neighboring unit or might be interdependent on definite terms and activities.

An Urban fragment might be a result of the historical pattern, economic systems, natural systems or spatial arrangement.

City of fragments 

Fragmentation may at times be a pessimistic vision of contemporary cities depicting them as

socially and spatially fragmented. But the idea is to rather be more optimistic in deciding that

what process or which fragment adds to the urban experience.

“Cities now are primarily understood as either collection of “urban fragments” that enhance the

“diverse” & “fragmentary urban experience” or as “inter related nodes” that bypasses

“unconnected fragmented areas”. Any city with such fragments ceases to be conceptualized as a

whole.” 

Kozak, Daniel, World Cities & Urban Form: Fragmented, Polycentric, Sustainable?, Assessing Urban

Fragmentation: The emergence of new Typologies in Central Buenos Aires, Ed.Mike Jenks, Daniel Kizak &

Pataranan Takkanon

Overview - Theory of Fragmentation 

Method - Characterizing Fragments 

Urban fragments are a result of a process and cannot be reversed. But completely isolated

fragments do not add to an urban fabric rather create a broken urban scape. A basic structuring

through strategic stitching of these can maintain the variation yet the continuity of experience

and character.

To validate the fragments existence and functioning, the site chosen was studied and the

following observations were made: The site (Thane Maharashtra) considered has distinct fragments which can be characterized on the basis of the following:

Density; Built Vs. Open; Usage; Texture; Accessibility; Movement Network; Porosity of fabric

The metropolises today are experiencing rapid change and very little consideration has been given on the character and structure of the surrounding agglomerations. It’s here that urban fragmentation is witnessed not only in the existing areas which are transforming at a high rate but also in new additions which do not directly comply with the surroundings. The idea is not to disagree with fragmentation but rather to achieve a suitable correlation between fragments. Some fragments are bound to be isolated at present and do not necessarily need to interact with their contiguous areas but in such cases it becomes solemnly important to at least envision an appropriate transformation of such parcels as they will apparently need to be a part of a living city.

The project has been a mere attempt to understand the phenomenon of fragmentation and address it with appropriate design strategies as it’s a pressing issue of expanding cities all over the world. There have been no biases towards the process and existence of urban fragments. Fragments cannot be certified as “good” or “bad”, it’s the correlation between them that makes them valid and a boon for gaining an urban character. There cannot be a single verdict about the aptness of urban fragmentation; it’s a result of a process of city building and expansion which can be only directed in the right direction for the future.

About author:

Radhika Mathur, is an architect and urban designer, presently working with an Urban Design Cell in Mumbai. It was her fascination with the city and its processes which lead to the following research. In practice too shes trying to make a niche for the profession by working with the implementing agencies and convincing them about the role urban design can play in shaping the future of our (read Indian) cities.

This article is edited version to suit the space on blog. For complete article readers can contact author  on radhika.mthr@gmail.com

Spatial Role Of Glass: Effect Of Glass In Interior Spaces Of Indian Palaces

 This article is an award winning article entry for Glazzete Magazine. SALT would like to extend hearty congratulations to Richa Gupta(Author) for this success.

As of now we are publishing abstract of the article and hope to publish complete article soon.



Glass as a building material through the ages.A History

Architectural background reveals a long period of evolution of glass as a material that catered not only the physical need of enclosure and surface in a space but also imparted visual and spatial experience to it.

It made it possible to erect transparent, open and seemingly weightless buildings and appreciate both the inside and the outside simultaneously by staying in the same place. Traditionally light was introduced in the interior spaces, through openings in solid walls and roof. But with the introduction of glass, light gained a spatial role of dematerialization, taking away solidity of the structure, and dissolving the surfaces through transparent panels and shimmering mosaics. Thus, the dematerialization of architectural spaces engaged both structure and surface, and was physical, spiritual and symbolic.

The dematerialization of architecture for spiritually symbolic reasons was most prominent in the Gothic period, through the Scholastics’ revival of the Greek metaphysics of light.

Transparency is the vital property that gives important character to glass for its diverse performance. The evolution of glass also saw in architecture the development of the word ‘Transparency’ in theoretic terms. Transparency has come to signify more than what is physically non-opaque or able to allow movement of light through it. The word transparency has taken its role in the description of architectural form, as a tool in design, and as an objective method for analyzing architectural layouts. Thus, glass also found its correlation with the form and function of a space.

Glass along with controlling the physical qualities of an interior space also proved to be an expressive, artistic tool which goes beyond the practical demands of daily life. The understanding of two differential aspects calls for an account of how this material became incorporated within the architectural theory and practice, or in words of architect Bruno Taut, how it became endowed with “architectonic quality”, as the ‘The historical accounts, written mostly in the pragmatic framework of technological development assume a consistent linear development in the use of glass and disregard the diversity of interpretations.’[1]

Bruno Taut said, “If we want our culture to rise to a higher level, we are obligated for better or for worse, to change our architecture. And this only becomes possible if we take away the closed character from the rooms in which we live. We can only do that by introducing glass architecture, which lets in the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars.

But if we look towards the Indian context, concept of openness and visual connection to outside can be introduced with regulated flow of light inside the spaces as there is an important requirement to cut down the glare. In the present scenario, where use of glass is inevitable in all building typologies, there is a wide possibility of assimilating the constructional materiality and artistic expression with modern life conditions.

With this premise this study attempts to understand the spatial transformation that glass imparts and find its appropriateness in present context which is important for a versatile material like glass.




[1] Ersoy Ufuk, ‘Seeing through glass: The fictive role of glass in shaping architecture from Joseph Paxton's "Crystal Palace" to Bruno Taut's "Glashaus’, arq (Vol 11), 2007. This dissertation concentrates on the metaphors that Taut and Paxton employed in order to solve the theoretical riddle between this mass-produced material and architectural principles. Deciphering these metaphors, the dissertation reveals that, far from displaying a structural truth, glass appealed to Paxton and Taut by virtue of its fictive attributes.

About Author :

Richa Gupta is a student of  Masters Programme of Interior Achitecture and Design in  CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

Link to article on Glazzete magazine:
http://www.glazette.com/24-spatial-role-of-glass-effect-of-glass-in-interior-spaces-of-indian-palaces.html