Authors

Melodinsky Dmitry L.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SCALE OF ROEL VAN LENT

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №3 (51) September, 2015

The 2009 book by the Dutch architect Roel van Lent drew wide public attention. Based on a systems approach, it reviews the semantic aspect of architectural magnitude of scale. The article discusses the contribution of the author to the development of architectural thought towards composite form generation at the current stage. The critical position of the author in relation to the creativity of postmodernism is shown.

Melodinsky Dmitry L.
MAGINTUDE OF SCALE IN ARCHITECTURE AS A SYSTEM: EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №1 (49) March, 2015

Masshtabnost’ (magnitude of scale) is one of the most expressive means in the language of spatial composition, which is evidenced by the entire history of international architecture. However, it hides a lot of unresolved mysteries and insights into internal tools of creativity. The concept of magnitude of architectural scale evolves from an awareness of important individual elements to an idea of complex multilevel structure. The modern-day view aspires towards the treatment of magnitude of architectural scale as a system. The article gives new versions to the definition of architectural masshtabnost’ within the framework of systems approach.

Melodinsky Dmitry L.
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY STUDENTS IN RELATION TO ARCHITECTURAL SCALE IN THE COURSE OF "SPATIAL COMPOSITION"

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №2 (46) June, 2014

Scale and magnitude of scale are major concepts in the theory of architectural composition and the art of compositional modelling. These concepts are generally recognized as difficult themes for learning in vocational training. We have used various approaches to its theoretical presentation and skills development within the formal analytical discipline of «Spatial Composition». However, there are still problems remaining unresolved. The article describes the experiences of teaching the subject of scale and reviews possible developments and improvements within it.

Melodinsky Dmitry L.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF NIKOS SALINGAROS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE THEORY OF MAGNITUDE OF SCALE IN ARCHITECTURE

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №3 (43) September, 2013

In the current context of fascination for modernism, Nikos Salingaros, a seminal US architect and mathematician presents a rather unusual phenomenon. He sticks to the opposite, classical school not only in his design activities but also aspires to develop its theoretical foundations. His novel approach to magnitude of architectural scale is interesting. Its essence comes to light in relation to the contributions of his predecessors –theorists who determined the current status of the issue of architectural scale. N.Salingaros is developing an understanding of the scale of a composition and hierarchy of its elements in relation to the human perception of an architectural form from different positions. Whereas in the past authors would point to the importance of identifying only a few points, he has demonstrated the validity of continuity of such visual switch-overs, which have at their basis a certain regulating, connecting tool which he calls it UNIVERSAL SCALING INVARIANCE. The introduction of this concept into scientific research and its theoretical substantiation may be considered as a considerable contribution to the development of the category of scale.

The invariance of an architectural composition, or harmonisation is treated by Salingaros as proportional scaling, which can be described by mathematics as a unity of numerical series, first of all, as the Fibonacci sequence. In this geometrical system, movement from a small form to its consecutive enlargement and, on the contrary, from a large form at its reduction cannot have stochastic elements breaking this process. According to Salingaros, this sequence may have gaps, but in no way can they be accidental, breaking the logic of the sequence.

For an architectural project to carry information, it should possess internal contents and plastic structurality which are to be perceived by a human being. There should be a dialogue between the individual and the architectural project based on a common visual language and semantic codes. Salingaros maintains that it is universal scaling that is the tool supporting this dialogue.

Melodinsky Dmitry L.
«RHIZOME» AS A BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING MAGNITUDE OF SCALE IN POST-MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №2 (42) June, 2013

Magnitude of scale is an important aspect of composition in classical architecture. However, Post-Modernism has suffered radical changes that have gone against all the main principles of form generation. Whereas in classical architecture magnitude of scale was accurately expressed by divisions following from the natural architectonics, clearly articulated base, body, and top, and the metric schemes of horizontal openings creating an an internal ‘graduated’ scale, Post-Modernism has generally abandoned it all.

The world-consciousness of contemporary man mirrors the philosophical views of the western intellectual elite. The most influential of them seem to be G.Deleuze and F.Guattari. Their theoretical views (not indisputable) are very important for understanding the issue of magnitude and attitude towards this artistic component of creativity in architecture during the era of postmodernist mentality. It reflects the view that in the modern context it is impossible to proceed from a single point of view in order to explain all events and phenomena in the world. The elimination of the subject entails departure from the concepts of corporality, weight, linearity of co-ordinates, top and bottom, structurality, and hierarchical ordering of elements. The lack of a systems approach and any controllable order come to the forefront. Chaos sets in as a condition of development and eventfullness based on synergetic nonlinearity. “Play” comes to replace purpose as reason’s activity. The result is loss of relationship to real person. Architecture becomes faceless and scale-free.

It is thus but natural to ask: what approach should be pursued in teaching magnitude of scale at a higher school of architecture within the framework of the Spatial Composition module. It is obvious that it would not be sensible to give up the traditional understanding of magnitude on the basis of natural architectonics and apprehension of architectural space as a humanized space created to meet the essential human needs. However, whilst staying within the boundaries of the traditional view of magnitude, it seems reasonable to present, without any vulgarized misrepresentations, the position of the Postmodernist approach with critical comments, possibly in the context of an elective module.