Honesty and deception
THE ROLE OF HONESTY AND DECEPTION OF ARCHITECTURE TODAY
HONESTY
What does it mean for architecture to be “honest”?
Generally the term is used to mean the building does not cover up its structure and pretend to be something it is not.
DECEPTION
Imitating one material by using another material. This should not be confused with imitating the harmony and the concept of nature. Like, the way branches spilt in a tree can be used for the way a steel column separates in a building. Nature is often used as an inspirational system, to create art.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF HONESTY AND DECEPTION ARCHITECTURE
The role of honesty and deception of architecture today is predominantly based on the goals and the challenges of the architect but it eventually affecting the other aspects such as the structure of the building and the relationship of interior and exterior of the building.
For me, architecture is more than any others art form, is a social art and must rest on the social and cultural base of its time and place.
A building should not try to represent a style of architecture or anything else but itself. A honesty and “true” architecture is when a building simply serves and reveals its functions, such as a house simply providing shelter and giving someone a sense of home.
Architecture can learn something from an architecture of honesty. It is about stepping into the open and expressing the simple and the actual rather than the grand and the ostentatious.
‘Truth is important not only for truths sake, but also for the delights over which she has influence. The beauty of the things untouched by the lies, is so much greater than that of something that has the black mystery of untruth hung over it. (…) Best is not to lie at all, not in the smallest sense. Speaking truth comes only by practice, a matter of habit. (...) To speak truth with constancy is as difficult as speaking it under intimidation.’ – Ruskin
Example:
From The Rural Studio's projects, it really bring up the definition of honesty architecture and educating future architects and a vital force for improving living conditions in one of the nation’s poorest regions.
Building : Mason's Bend Community Center, 2000
Function as: Chapel
For me, this is a honesty architecture due to the challenges of this building such as the budget problems and to achieve maximum effect on the choosing of the material for the building.
The facade of automobile windshields partially covers a raised nave and side isle. Mockbee desribed it as " a windshield chapel with mud walls that picks up on the community's vernacular forms and shapes."
Form follows Function.
The formal architectural language follows the multi-functional nature of the space. The form resists a specific building typology, instead smoothly hybridizing vernacular chapel and barn forms. Innovative material reuse and improvised construction techniques further blends vernacular formal language into a new, local language.
Architect Mockbee from the The Rural Studio states
“Theory and practice are not only interwoven with one’s culture but with the responsibility of shaping the environment, of breaking up social complacency, and of challenging the power of status quos.”
When Mockbee chooses materials, he gathers inspiration from regional tendencies and chooses upon pure honesty. He chooses unconventional local materials such as windshields, tires, old railroad tires, and hay bales for studio projects, which range from playgrounds to chapels.
On the other hand,
“Honesty” is demonstrated in these projects by showing that innovative and imaginative work does not have to be technologically advanced like many modern projects. The material choices result in studio projects that are inexpensive, as well as sustainable.
