Fluid state of architecture

Abstract

This paper focuses on the changes in architectural aesthetic criteria, from static to dynamic values of both figurative and non-figurative aspects in contemporary architecture and its cultural context. Fluid state of architecture refers to the notions of constant variability occurring in relations between architecture and contemporary cultural context of globalisation. Contemporary context dynamises everyday perceptual experiences, living conditions and terms of spatial appropriations. Accordingly, new networking phenomena appearing on informational, communicational and spatial levels transform the city and architecture into constant process of flows, dematerialising its elements into the new fluid, variable character. Architectural aesthetic qualities simultaneously shift trough events and effects affirmation over static formal whole in transformation from objective to (inter)subjective aesthetic spatial experience. This paper is based on hypothesis that contemporary architecture is characterised by the loss of object singularity in terms of contextual conditions and assimilation of particular characters into the dynamic character of the whole. Therefore, architectural design principles shift through dispersion of disciplinary boundaries and boundaries of inner and outer architectural space, hybridity and typological definition loss. This paper presents how dematerialisation of architectural values transforms contemporary architectural space into the complex dynamic system of infrastructure, flows, events and effects.