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Variability
Guest Editor: Dimitris Gourdoukis
Adj. Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
The 15th issue of ArchiDOCT e-journal addresses the concept of variability; a con- cept closely related with two more general ones: difference and change. While constant change is a persistent characteristic of current societies and cultures, it is by no means a property that we first encounter in the 21st century. Already since the 1960s theories of difference – more often than not within a post-struc- turalist framework – started to emerge and shifted our focus from the concept of ‘being’ towards that of ‘becoming’. The modern idea of certainty, supported by all kinds of standards, was juxtaposed with postmodern processes of fluidity and constant transformation.
However, it was indeed the 21st century and the almost total dominance of digi- tal media that – at least on the surface – brought those ideas into everyday prac- tice. Architecture of course is also affect by that process. One can therefore initial- ly identify three main concepts in relation to the production of architectural form within the context of the fluidity described above.
The first is that of the Variable: Architectural form in this case is produced through the manipulation of variables. Specific properties are identified and then varied in order for different results to arise. The second is Variation: architectural form is produced through constant transformation of an initial form, generating this way an extended family of forms. Variation can be smooth or rough, but the com- mon characteristics persist regardless. The third concept if that of Variety: Archi- tectural form is produced with the aim of the generation of different predefined spatial conditions. The architect envisions those specific conditions and manipu- lates form in order to accommodate them.
All three modes of operation however, when used separately, function as a rep- etition of different, existing modes of architectural production. Variations echo ideas of typology where specific characteristics are (pre)defined and the new is created through their alteration. Variables advocate a more scientific approach where architecture is understood as a more or less objective field that can be an- alyzed accordingly. They result in situations where form is produced within a very limited range of – again - predefined solutions. Lastly, varieties represent the idea of the architect as an auteur, where his/her mastery allow him/her to generate form and authorize it at the same time.
Variability on the other hand – while closely related to all three, both etymolog- ically and conceptually – implies a slightly different property: that of the possi- bility to be different in an unpredictable way. More specifically, it represents the claim to difference and change through almost illogical and definitely difficult to control actions. While a property that in many cases was typically undesirable
ISSN 2309-0103 www.archidoct.net
Vol. 7 (2) / February 2020
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