The Agency of Mapping by James Corner

The article generally introduces mapping as an architectural design method and lets desgin have meanings by mapping. Mapping is a abstract and creative method for experimental architectural design. We use map to find a relationship between things, and find catalyst how and why they are related to each other. Later, volume, density, and the location of things which happened there can be applied as a metaphor into our design. We don't fine form from mapping, we figure out how things relate in space and time by knowing the relationship in the milieu. It's a process experiment. We can transfer a phenomenon of the event into an creative design method.

“Programming the Urban Surface" by Alex Wall

in “Programming the Urban Surface" Alex Wall clarify the real meaning of designing a responsible environment by being aware of the strong relation between the landscape and the architecture. I believe that the most important thing is how to restructure the environment by integrating all elements of design and making these elements in tune with one another. obviously, the landscape plays a major role in the image of the city so that it should never separate from the architectural process. otherwise you will end up with an object that is not responsible to the environment.

Programming the Urban Surface by Alex Wall

Alex Wall describes the evolving urban landscape as a network of infrastructure and transportation as opposed to the traditional view of cities as being urban centers with outlying suburbs and rural areas. It is the perfect example of why architects should look at architecture in the modern urban landscape differently than in a purely static form. It should be able to respond to unknowable factors and morph to adapt to future uses. There is also no longer a "clean slate" for architects to work from, rather a vast network of infrastructure to respond to. A predominant feature of the urban landscape is neglected or peripheral space between existing structure, and it is more necessary than before to transform these spaces into useable and desirable places.

Programming the Urban Surface by Alex Wall

These days, the project is about objects and elements are mexing together to get a form without any communicate with the environment. Working with the surface makes the projects connects with the Landscape and the City itself. The boundaries should be removed to get a strong relationship between the Architecture, the Landscape and the Urbanism and I think it's a good idea and a new way of thinking.

Urban Surface

In “Programming the Urban Surface”, Wall breaks down the term “landscape” as being not only about the plants surrounding the building, but also about the entire area to connect and interact with other parts of the city or surrounding space. I found Wall’s case study of the trolly line in Paris by Alexandre Chemetoff a great example of how an infrastructure can connect multiple places at one time through design and form new interaction with the space and the people who use the space.

At the end of his article Wall suggests different strategies for linking landscape and the urban plane. In particular, I found the principle of “folding” very relative to my current design. By folding the surfaces of the building I can allow interaction between multiple spaces by joining interior and exterior spaces and each of the spaces formed by the folding of the surface can be developed by the program. This strategy allows for the building to become more adaptable.

"Programming the Urban Surface" by Alex Wall is describing about how urban surface connects with architects and landscape. Architects address some elements to the environment and let their design fit with the site. I think that urban surface is the most important layer for architecture because it combines with plan of architectures and landscape, it lets everyone walk on it and walk through it from exterior to interior. Throughout the article, it shows several examples and strategies to explain how to sew up the urban surface. They let the surface be connective and have relationship between different places. they also create activities for people use, but programs are flexible at the same area. In that way, the urban surface will not be decentralized. Rather, it is a continuous network of reconstructing cities.

“Programing the Urban Surface” Everyone wants to create object buildings these days; something that will standout amidst the city. The problem with this is that more often than not we’re left with beautiful aesthetic designs that have no substance or connection to the community. The connection to the immediate site may be there, but the surrounding context and landscape must also be considered so the building can relate to the different cultures and history that form the region uniqueness. In other words as the reading tells us, the building is (should be) a result of the existing urban fabric and surrounding landscape i.e. the people the roads, the transportation, the parks, the rivers, so on.