Gottfried Semper's theory of textiles and architectural form

Textiles Influence on Architecture

The objective of this work is to discuss the important influences and effects that textiles have had in architecture and how architecture continues to be influenced or 'woven' by such design.

Gottfried Semper was among the most outstanding architects during his day. The work of Egenter (nd) states that Semper "...globally documented one basic paradigm: the fact that fibrous and perishable materials are widely found in art and architecture related to durable materials, mostly as texture ('incrustation' principle) or structurally. When one investigates the similarities that exist between the art of weaving and the pursuit of architecture, one is able to see the concepts as they overlap. Anni Albers, a weaver states that: "Surface quality of material, that is matiere, being mainly a quality of appearance, is an aesthetic quality and therefore a medium of the artists; while quality of inner structure is, above all, a matter of function and therefore the concern of the scientist and engineer. Sometimes material surface together with material structure are the best components of a work; in textile works for instance, specifically in weavings or, on another scale, in the works of architecture." (Anni Alberts, on Weaving (Middletown Connecticuit: Wesleyan University Press, 1965)

I. TEXTILES in ARCHITECTURE

The work entitled: "Weaving as an Analogy for Architectural Design" states that the "history of textile use in architecture is broad." (nd) Most visibly used today is a woven material known as tensile membrane structures. This work states that "for a textile to exist as a cohesive work, all the individual yarns and varying patterns must be bound together in a synergistic and integrated whole." (nd) Traditionally textiles were derived from fabric, clay, wood, stone and metal and were used to fashion carpets, rugs, flags, curtains, mosaics, tiles, brickwork, decorative wood panels, marble, roofing tiles, curtain wall, and articulated metal structures. Kinnane (2005) states that: "Any review of modern day tectonic theory is surely incomplete without an in-depth review of the work and ideas of Gottfried Semper. Semper viewed "the history of architecture as a process of symbolic and formal development." (Kinnane, 2005)

II. NEW TEXTILE DESIGNS

The work of Linda Hales (2005) entitled: "When Textiles Go to Extremes" states that: "Gossamer filaments can heave a satellite into orbit. Metal mesh bangles are the jewelry of heavy industry -- durable steel filters made to withstand temperatures of 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit." According to Cynthia McQuaid: "Textiles are an incredible part of our world in ways we don't understand. Plastics were extraordinary and still are. Textiles have been overlooked." (Hales, 2005) Hales further relates the familiarity of technical textiles in the form of "Kevlar, Mylar, Gore-Tex, Teflon and Velcro." (Hales, 2005)

New on the textile scene is 'Vectran' a "muscle fiber made through a process of melt extrusion using liquid ctystal polymer pellets." (Ibid) Another newcomer to the textile industry is "Superline" which has a mass of 36.5 million polyester filaments and has enough strength to hold 4.4 million pounds. The Superline was designed for mooring an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Peter Testa, an architect from Santa Monica, California as well as the founding direction of MIT's Emergent Design Group has designed a carbon fiber building. Carbon fibers are being used for various purposes including the design of earthquake-resistant highway overpasses. Testa has designed a 40-story office tower that will be "knitted...of carbon fiber and composites." (Hales, 2005) According to Testa: "We are at a turning point...The science is clear in terms of the environmental consequences of the way we are building." (Hales, 2005)

In an article published by Market Research entitled: "Architectural Textiles: World Cup Showcase in 2006 and Beyond" it is stated that the 2006 World Cup 'served as a showcase for the extensive use of architectural textiles in Germany and in fact, many of the stadiums hosting the matches for the world cup "feature roofing and support structures made from high performance textiles." (Market Research, 2006) Hightex and Covertex, two of the world largest designers of buildings using textiles are headquartered in Germany. Architectural textiles are generally produced from woven polyester fabric coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) however; other synthetics and coatings are also used. In cases needing extra durability fiberglass fabric is coated with plytetrafluoreethylene (PTFE).

III. The FUTURE of TEXTILES in ARCHITECTURE

The report entitled: "Technical Textiles and Nonwovens: World Market Forecasts to 2010" states that: "Textiles are increasing their market share in construction and architectural applications, where their mechanical properties are equal, or often superior to traditional materials. They offer desired characteristics such as lightness strength and resilience as well as resistance to many factors such as creep and degradation by chemicals and pollutants in the air." (2007) Additionally related is that the use of textiles in buildings in on the increase as well as the use of textiles for design of complete structures. Textile use is expected to be particularly high in developing regions of the world. Restraint in the use of these materials is due to "lack of experience with these products and controls placed over their use in some countries." (Ibid, 2007)

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

While the use of textiles in architecture is not new it is a fairly new industry in the world market, which is clearly growing by leaps and bounds and driven by necessity and the practicality of the use of textiles in architecture in today's world. Woven fabrics are being used to construct buildings and highway overpasses and in view of the changing face of the world in terms of the climate change and the accompanying effects it only makes good sense to construct buildings and other structures that are more resilient and resistant to environmental factors.