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village was lifted for a nice view, and by
yet our earlier projects seem more complex
The simplification of a design process does,
taking small ‘bites’ out of it we created a
to me than the projects we work on today.
of course, play an important role, for it is
multitude of terraces that resulted in the
I would say this is something we need to
impossible to tell everything. In some cases
pixelated cloud-like shape.
reflect on, to see if it is an intuitive answer to
therefore, diagrams are made afterwards,
an architecture that is becoming more and
to show the simplified design process.
One could almost state that the diagram was
more complex because of developments
This is done in order to keep track of the
even more important than the iconic image,
in technology; almost making all of these
concepts in your schemes: Are they still
which unfortunately was read differently than
things simply easier to digest. But, whether
understandable and justifiable? A design
intended and thus seen as a provocative image
this is a result of the avoidance or the
should not be too complex to explain. When
by the public.
encasement of this complexity, I dare not say.
I am working on a project, and notice that
Indeed, and similar discussions gather
The Almere Oosterwold project (see fig.
in eight comprehensible steps, I think
around the function of the rendering.
1) is in fact a good example to illustrate
something is wrong.
Although, of course, it’s great to see the
the function of encasing the complexity
ongoing debate that questions the role
that accompanies a design process. This
of the rendering, the discussion of the
project needed diagrams to make the
use of trees and playing children as a
design comprehensible to the municipality.
‘happiness filter’, I also think the rendering
The blue stripe, for instance, represents
has a different function than the diagram.
a
We often generate such images at the end
ownership
of a project, for a different purpose. The
At this very moment the project is being
diagrams should always be included. It is
implemented; people are building their
an important rule here, a project without
houses and roads while trying to organize
any diagrams cannot be.
their garbage collection systems.
So, given that a design process becomes too
I do, however, think it is interesting, to
complex to capture in a scheme, would MVRDV
oppose all possibilities and to take limitation
then take a step back, reconsider and try to do
and simplification as a challenge. The
it differently or do you abstract that complexity
Markthal (Market Hall) is becoming an icon,
into an understandable representation?
a known form within the skyline of the city,
I am not able to explain what I have done
complete
discussion and
about
water,
environmental
issues.
and is therefore a good example of a simple That is hard to say, for I think this office has
thought. The building has become a diagram:
developed and changed over time. I have
How to make a hall with a programme, and
been working here for eight years now and
how to use the space underneath? (see fig. 2)
[1]