CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 8/19/2014

Building as Ornament

In Building as Ornament, author Michiel van Raaij writes, "Characteristic images from outside architecture that are used in architecture to explain the nature of the building. In a nutshell, that is what the use of iconography in contemporary architecture is about. That is the building as ornament. A rock formation, a letter of the alphabet, a dress, an airplane – as long as the image explains the character of the building, hardly any limits are imposed on the themes of the images that are used. The chosen theme is often derived from the function of the building. For instance, a car museum can be designed with rounded shapes, continuous windows and a metallic skin. The primary shape of an ambassador's residence can be reminiscent of the national flag or his or her country. An aquarium can take the form of a huge water vortex that 'pulls' visitors inside." Featured image is BIG and JDS's 2004 proposal for a hotel, sports and conference center for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The building takes its form from "Ren," the Chinese character for person.