Materiality and Light

There are a few different ways of approaching the use of materials in landscape installations. While there exists a finite amount of materials (albeit growing due to our ability to co-opt and produce more products), there is no limitations to the diversity of applications and combinations. While landscape architecture is getting more experimental, I tend to look to architecture for some of the more original uses to adapt to the site.

Some architectural examples that recently caught my eye really start to provide some interesting ways to perforate the skin and play with light - both as it floods interior spaces as well as the interesting formal properties for the exterior facades. The renderings (via Tropolism) of the Thermal Baths of San Pelligrino by Dominique Perrault Architecture are a fitting example of this idea. Simply... stunning.


:: image via Tropolism

Combining this concept with my love of rusted metal is the Performer's House by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects in Silkeborg, Denmark. From Arch Daily: "Externally, the new building is clad with boldly perforated rust-red steel panels. After dark the internal lights shine through the circular apertures incised into the façade, turning the building into an animated beacon shining its light over the surrounding area. In this way the building appears to be perpetually in motion, becoming itself a ‘performer’."






:: images via Arch Daily

And Inhabitat's coverage of a temporary eco-pavilion designed by Assadi + Pulido, for the XVI Chilean Architecture Biennial... with a juxtaposition of perforated base and a reusable woven aluminum facade treatment... check it out - it's pretty amazing.








:: images via Inhabitat

A Daily Dose of Architecture recently had an great post of the idea of 'Porous Masonry Walls' - giving a range of example projects from Frank Lloyd Wright to Peter Zumthor. A few other notable projects include Kengo Kuma's Stone Museum - with brickwork that provide articulation from the exterior and thin patterned slits of light on the interior.


:: image via Archidose

And the Nazarí Wall Intervention in Granada, Spain by Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas perforated double wall.


:: image via Archidose

My favorite is Anagram Architects' glowing facade at the South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre.


:: image via Archidose

Archidose also featured the "Richard Desmond Children's Eye Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Islington, London, England by Penoyre & Prasad LLP, 2007." which has perforations - as well as tapping into the use of movement and wind on the facade.


:: image via Archidose

The above project takes a cues from Ned Kahn perhaps, whose kinetic sculptures definitely require a full post soon...


:: image via Ned Kahn

In the interim, here's a sneak preview of a couple of my favorites...


:: Articulated Cloud - image via Ned Kahn


:: Wind Veil - image via Ned Kahn