Post on 14-Feb-2017
transcript
Yale University, School of Architecture and MIT Press are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access toPerspecta.
http://www.jstor.org
Yale University, School of ArchitectureMIT Press
Paul Rudolph. For Perspecta Author(s): Paul Rudolph Source: Perspecta, Vol. 7 (1961), pp. 51-64Published by: on behalf of Perspecta. MIT PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1566866Accessed: 06-10-2015 18:54 UTC
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/ info/about/policies/terms.jsp
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
51 Rudolph
RUDOLPH
The Architect must be uniquely prejudiced. If
his work is to ring with conviction, he will be
completely committed to his particular way of
seeing the universe. It is only then that every man sees his particular truth. Only a few find
themselves in such a way. The various dictums of architectural schools
usually form the basis of the first works of an
architect. Many architects educated in the late
'30's and early '40's found themselves adapting the assorted prejudices of the International Style to the single family house in a particular region. This generation was probably lucky, for the
International Style's cant and limitations were
certainly preferable at that time, or perhaps
they were just more easily understood.
A growing awareness is causing many of this
generation to question some of the early dogmas,
especially the romanticisms regarding the ma-
chine, not because they were not partially valid,
but because they often failed miserably on
many levels, for the concepts were limited. There
are many ways of organizing a building or,
more importantly an environment; sometimes
alien ways are combined in a single building
or a group and disaster follows. The Architect
must search for his own way because there is
not yet a universal outlook, and there are
unique problems and unimagined possibilities. The International Style was only the opening chord in a great movement.
The site and the symbolism of the particular
building set the course. (Does respect for older
attitudes in architecture lead to a new electicism?)
A single building must be compatible with its
neighbors plus suggesting that which could come
next. Change is the only constant, but we do
not know yet how to build in a compatible
way with each other (witness Interbau, Idlewild,
etc.) The process of change is the constant
creative irritant.
This approach may lead to movie-set making unless there is an underlying attitude towards
social forces, a set of preferences, a translation
of the spirit of the times. It certainly leads to
buildings which seem inconsistent, not only with
their predecessors but with concurrent efforts.
One even addresses oneself to certain problems in one building and others in the next. All
problems can never be solved, indeed it is a
characteristic of the 20th century that architects
are highly selective in determining which problems
they want to solve. Mies, for instance, makes
wonderful buildings only because he ignores
many aspects of a building. If he solved more
problems his buildings would be far less potent. This paradox is heightened by the various com-
mitments to functionalism.
Our commitment to individualism is partially a reaction to growing conformity in the 20th
century, but more importantly an excitement
when we sense magnificent new forces and their
possibilities. There are too many new worlds
to explore, too many new problems crying for
solutions, for there to be a universal outlook
(every critic implores the gods to make us the
same) in an age of profound transition.
An age expresses through its artists certain
preferences and attitudes which are inherent to
that age, but no man can ascertain at the
time those which have validity.
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 52
YALE UNIVERSITY MARRIED STUDENT
HOUSING; NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
Stage 1
The first scheme was completely exposed concrete block with "Dox" plank floors above grade. All exposed horizontal surfaces were to be whitewashed macadam. Because of the estimates this proposal had to be abandoned.
Stage 2
The buildings now under construction are wood frame with brick veneer. The first floor is slab on grade; above floors are wood joist with an exposed concrete strip indicating panel position. The apartments each contain roughly 100 square feet more than those of the first scheme in lieu of the terraces.
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
53 Rudolph
YALE UNIVERSITY ART AND ARCHITECTURAL
SCHOOL BUILDING; NEW HAVEN,
CONNECTICUT
Stage 1
The first scheme was felt by the architect to be inappro- priate for the corner site. The succeeding are all varia- tions on the overlapping pinwheel; due to financial
fluctuations, the library floor is sometimes in, some- times out.
Ground floor plan
-I
Third floor plan
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 54
Perspective
Longitudinal section Transverse section
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
55 Rudolph
Stage 2
Ground floor plan
Transverse section
Longitudinal section
Third floor plan
:"?
i----
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 56
Study Perspectives
i
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
57 Rudolph
Stage 3
Ground floor plan
Third floor plan
II UlJl |z rel~ -
LLA- ---- i
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 58
Transverse section Longitudinal section
Stage 334 Model
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
59 Rudolph
Stage 4
Ground floor plan
Third floor plan
\ E
\ .
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 60
4..-I?-- -'e -?.;-- r~~.... ...
Perspective
Transverse section Longitudinal section
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
61 Rudolph
Stage 5
Ground floor plan
Third floor plan
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 62
Perspective
Transverse section Longitudinal section
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
63 Rudolph
Stage 6
'"<"^. -ii. _.l^ - -l- :-.- ''- N~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.m .-..-
~. AL- .....?r -.~.
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions
Perspecta Seven 64
MILAM HOUSE; ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, FLORIDA
Stage 1
Until the first bidding this building was to be constructed
entirely of cast-in-place concrete. It is now concrete block and cast-in-place concrete. The building in general and the end walls in particular have been simplified as a result. Likewise, Mr. Rudolph feels that the living room
space is now clearer.
Longitudinal section
aw /"I / I ;4**'^/ i 'Ilk "' II ' , , '
oj o 7
,,-,
First floor plan Second floor plan Transverse section
Longitudinal section
First foor plan
Stage 2
Perspective
Second floor plan Transverse section
This content downloaded from 149.130.90.2 on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:54:40 UTCAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions