Architecture and narrative: the formation of space and cultural meaning in buildings - Sophia Psarra c2009

The Pavilion exemplified the characteristics of the free plan with the asymmetrical arrangement of the walls and the roof contrasting the regularity of the structural system (Bonta 1979: 140). Zevi regarded it as an exemplar of decomposition, a practice established by de Stijl that analysed the building volume into individual planes (Zevi 1948: 35).10 It is a mechanism that broke away from the box, as well as from the co-ordination of the composition through geometrical symmetry. While Classicism had favoured a fixed viewing point, Modernism, as exemplified by Gropius and Mies, replaced a privileged point with multiple viewing positions (Zevi 1948: 33).

In a recent visit to Barcelona I was fortunate enough to experience the Pavilion. The space appeared simplistic in style, minimalist in aesthetics, yet, my exploration of the space took two hours and I still feel I didn't absorb all of which Mies van der Rohe had created.

The materials alone resembled those of a modern fashion. Steel framework with glass façades. Yet, the marble sub divider suggested more localised, cultural experience amongst the otherwise suggested ‘universalised’ modern space.  A design far superior to its times.

 Arguably the materials used assuredly cost a large sum. The steel framework for such a small single storey building is arguably an excessively lavish design feature, the onyx dorée, one of the rarer, highly sought of the marble family and the large glass front encasing the space with a grand, open plan design.

 Yet with these features unified it creates a contemporary design with unquestioned symmetry due to the high grade of the polished materials producing a unique optical experience fusing early modernism and classicism.

From my experience of the Pavilion the modernism derived from the geometric symmetry is a conceptual design consideration which most definitely would benefit my own work with the singular re-examination of costs, one which is more client specific depending on each individual project.



Architecture and narrative: the formation of space and cultural meaning in buildings - Sophia Psarra c2009