diploma 13
undergraduate
The Reformed Grammar of Ornament
Great ornament neither negates strife nor moves to anesthetise or homogenise passion with a colorless veil of morbid geometry. To the contrary, it resides and revels in the convergence of differences, dislocations and conflict. – Kent Bloomer, The Nature of Ornament The bible of ornamental design, Owen Jones’s The Grammar of Ornament (1856), consists of 37 propositions outlining its principles and 100 plates illustrating motifs from various civilisations. Thus it proclaims ornament to be a truly global language, subject to shared maxims; but it also demonstrates its power as an emblematic expression of diverse cultural identities. This year Dip 13 will not only question the nineteenth-century rules of ornament but also test their capacities in establishing contemporary national, geographic and political identification. Beyond Jones’s world of Moorish, Chinese or Elizabethan ornament Dip 13 will reform his Grammar. Our contemporary iterations of iconographic, naturalist, materialist and geometric ornament for a glocalised world will be free of defunct patriotism and vulgar symbolism. With the elegance and ferocity of an art nouveau whiplash curve Dip 13 will turn its back on optimi-
Unit Staff Oliver Domeisen studied at ETH Zurich and the AA. From 1997-2000 he worked as Project Architect for Zaha Hadid; since 2000 as director of dlm ltd; from 2001-07 as Unit Master for Inter 9; and from 200507 as a Studio Master for AAVSP. He currently writes
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and lectures – and has curated an exhibition – on the topic of ornament. Tristan Simmonds studied Structural Engineering at Bath University. From 1995-2008 he worked as a specialist engineer at Arup AGU (founding member), and now runs
Unit Staff Oliver Domeisen Tristan Simmonds
undergraduate
sation, homogeneity and singularity. Instead we will revel in tactile beauty, savour aesthetic plurality, and pursue a meaningful complexity that is not exclusively formal. The fantastical nature of our ornamental designs will only be eclipsed by the realism of their technical resolution. The Reform: As an extension to Jones’s catalogue you will devise a system of ornament for a new embassy/ high commission of a country of your choice in central London. The client, site, programme and choice of contextual materials will infuse these initial graphic plates. The Verification: You will produce a catalogue of architectural elements pertaining to the structure, circulation, surfaces, joints, openings and services of your building employing your ornamental grammar. Chosen details will be constructed as material prototypes. The Resolution: As an inversion of traditional methods, your building will emerge from the detail scale – and as such will be an adaptation of your ornamental strategy. Only ornamental aspects of the final design will be revealed at appropriate scales. The unit will be accompanied by a Diploma History and Theory course and lectures on the topic of ornament. Drawing workshops will also be held. Ornamental treasure hunts will take us to Paris, Brussels and Munich.
his own company Tristan Simmonds Studio providing geometry and engineering services to artists and architects including Antony Gormley. Specialist in form generation and digital sculpting. Owen Jones, The Grammar of Ornament, 1856, chromolithograph half-title to the first edition.
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