Stepwise plan Peter Eisenman
Note that the work method is a very brief outline how Peter Eisenman works, and that it does not show any of the detail and uniqueness of a running design project. Because of this abstraction however, the work method does indicate:
Henri Hubertus Achten , 24. 2. 2004
What are important aspects to consider in the design process? In what general order is it a good way to proceed in the design process (what are the correct steps to take)? How to ensure important issues are dealt with and not forgotten in the design process.The use of a design method is not meant to produce designs that look like the designs of Peter Eisenman, but it helps for: Understanding the typical approach of Peter Eisenman. Comparing your own design process to that of someone else, in this case Peter Eisenman. Becoming more clear on your own work methods.Historical reading of the siteFind as much historical map material of the site or related to the site. Categorise the material with keyword. Connect the categories with the brief for the design project. How? Use the Trace-technique to find forms. Remember that for Eisenman form has meaning. Which forms have a meaning in the context of the design project? Are there lines from the site that are important? Remember that you can use the techniques Scale, Rotate and Move to give shapes a different appearance. Superimpose the maps on the site. Try to "read" as much as possible the site; not as a Tabula Rase but as a place with a history, information, and influence on your design. Refer to the Palimpsest metaphor. Try to find connections between the (elements of the) maps and the site.Look for special places that emerge from the analysis. Deformation strategyFind a diagrammatic model: an image that is somehow related to the brief. How? A diagrammatic model is an image that shows something like structure, organisation, or forces.A diagrammatic model may not be an image from an architectural object - it has to come outside the domain of architecture. Study the properties of the diagrammatic model. How? The diagrammatic model is superimposed on the whole set of superimpositions. Define the influence of the diagrammatic model on the superimposition on the basis of its relation to the brief. Deform the existing superimposition on the basis of the diagrammatic model. How? Let the design for example compress where the diagrammatic model shows concentrations of lines. Follow lines in the diagrammatic model. The designEisenman's method is very analytical and depends on much related material to the site and the brief. Argue how the superimpositions influence place and form of the design. Argue how the deformation strategy influences your design (and how you influence the deformation strategy).ChecklistWhat do you need/be able to do to use Eisenman's method?Skills mainly with AutoCAD. Optional are skills with paint-software for superimposing the historical material, but this can also be achieved in AutoCAD.Much historical material of the dommel/site-area: you need to 'trace' enough elements and transform them to address the brief. This material has to be scanned and used.A diagrammatic model for the deformation of the superimposed material. Usually an image that can be scanned and used in AutoCAD or other software.Eisenman's method is more suited for the urban plan aspects rather than the architectural design aspect.Stepwise plan Peter EisenmanWorking method for the design projectHenri Achtenh.h.achten [at] tue.nl">H.H.Achten@tue.nlhttp://www.ds.arch.tue.nl/General/Staff/henri/Last changed: January 14, 2004
