Fiona McLachlan | University of Edinburgh (original) (raw)
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Papers by Fiona McLachlan
The Journal of Architecture, Apr 1, 2010
The paper draws on a recent research project "Design at the Heart of Housebuilding", commissioned... more The paper draws on a recent research project "Design at the Heart of Housebuilding", commissioned by the Scottish Government, which was undertaken in 2006-7 and published in early 2008. This research focussed on the conceptions and practice of design within private sector house developers in Scotland, which is used here as a basis for speculatively exploring opposing values between private sector housing developers and architects in housing design. Drawing initially on reviews of this relationship in the initial mass private sector housing provision in the inter-war period in the UK the paper then compares this with the more recent position as evidenced in the research, two generations later. It identifies and analyses the basis for a perpetuated mutual wariness as a way to understand the potential for change in current trends, and ends by highlighting some examples of alternative collaborations, where the skills and values of architects are more fully articulated with those of developers and manufacturers in innovative housing provision, including forms of mass customisation.
Color Research & Application
Glazed ceramic cladding is a material with a very long history of use in the built environment, w... more Glazed ceramic cladding is a material with a very long history of use in the built environment, whether as roof tiles, wall tiles, or more recently, as part of a rainscreen cladding system. A key factor in the resurgence of interest in ceramic as a cladding material—in addition to its inherent qualities of sustainability, malleability, durability, and fire resistance—is as a means of incorporating color into the facade. Although polychromatic facades are commonly achieved using tessellation of a range of single‐colored elements, this article will focus on complex layered and variegated color and texture within a single component. Historical glazes, such as the blue‐red of Chinese Jun ware pottery from the 12th century CE were produced through carefully controlled reduction kiln processes, yet retained an element of uncertainty in the resultant patterns and remain an inspiration for contemporary ceramic artists. Drawing on historical research, literature review and interviews with ce...
Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 2016
Flexible is a common term used in the built environment, especially relating to current and futur... more Flexible is a common term used in the built environment, especially relating to current and future design. However, individuals will define the term in different ways in relation to their context. In school design, there are various interpretations and applications of ‘flexible’ terminology. The objective of this paper is to scrutinize the term flexible by reviewing its application primarily in Scottish Government publications relating to school design. This paper aims to generate constructive reflection for those involved in school design, directly and indirectly, so they can respond effectively to the question: What does ‘flexible’ mean in a school design context?
Design Studies, 2001
If we take the cognitive science account of design as a process of search then accidental events ... more If we take the cognitive science account of design as a process of search then accidental events can provide opportunities to enter new spaces, change direction, and short-circuit detailed investigation. We compare the search account with poststructuralist accounts of the accidental move, which we argue have greater currency in certain schools of thinking about design. Rather than search, poststructuralism constructs its discussions around the problematics of repetition, origins and intentionality. In turn we contrast the poststructuralist account with the hermeneutics of Gadamer, which directs attention to the issue of authority in design, at least on the matter of the accidental move. The discussion of authority serves to debunk the sense of mystery associated with design when appeal is made to accident.
Architectural Colour in the Professional Palette, 2013
Architectural Colour in the Professional Palette, 2013
Architectural Theory Review, 2014
DAVID MACARTHUR is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sydney. ... more DAVID MACARTHUR is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sydney. He works at the interface of contemporary pragmatism, Wittgenstein, and the philosophy of art. In addition to these topics, he has published articles in leading philosophy journals and books on liberal naturalism, scepticism, common sense, perception, language, philosophy of architecture, and philosophy of photography and film. He has co-edited three collections of papers with Mario De Caro (Roma Tré): Naturalism in Question (Harvard, 2004); Naturalism and Normativity (Columbia, 2010); and Philosophy in an Age of Science: Physics, Mathematics and Skepticism (Harvard, 2012).
The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture throug... more The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture through selected projects of two contemporary architectural practices. Colour, which is generated through the play of light, is never static and has the capability to be used as an instrument to tune and transform architectural space. Coloured glass has been used for centuries, although with the symbolism embodied in the window design as the primary intent and the interaction of the cast colours largely a secondary effect. Drawing on an interview with Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos of UN Studio, based in Amsterdam, and considering the work of the American architect, Steven Holl, the paper argues that the metaphysical properties of reflected colour can be seen as instrumental to the synergic design of architectural space.
arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, 2003
When asked ‘what is your most exciting/important job’ my answer would always be ‘the next one’. T... more When asked ‘what is your most exciting/important job’ my answer would always be ‘the next one’. The struggle necessary to finish any serious building project is so overwhelming that once the certificate of completion is signed, the last thing one wants to do is reflect on or pontificate about it. I was 34 when given Southfield [2] to design and am now more than twice that age. I was flattered when Fiona McLachlan told me she wanted to do research on my practice and initially to study Southfield and I was later a little scared when the Editor asked me to write an introduction to this study. But I have found it fascinating to read Fiona's paper and to ponder those heady days in the mid 1960s when Southfield dominated my life. It seems to me the most useful contribution I can make is to relate how I came to be doing this job and where the ideas came from which I can now appreciate were and are very important.
JAIC - Journal of the International Colour Association, 2017
The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture throug... more The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture through selected projects from contemporary architectural practices and designers. Colour, which is generated through the play of light, is never static, and has the capability to be used as an instrument to tune and transform architectural space. Through the constantly changing conditions of daylight, coloured filters, projected images, and technological developments in the control of light sources, multiple readings of space are generated. Drawing on an interview with Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos of UNStudio, based in Amsterdam, and considering the work of the American architect, Steven Holl, alongside an emerging field of architect-designers, the paper argues that the metaphysical properties reflected and projected coloured light can be seen as instrumental to the synergic design of architectural space [1].
The Journal of Architecture, Apr 1, 2010
The paper draws on a recent research project "Design at the Heart of Housebuilding", commissioned... more The paper draws on a recent research project "Design at the Heart of Housebuilding", commissioned by the Scottish Government, which was undertaken in 2006-7 and published in early 2008. This research focussed on the conceptions and practice of design within private sector house developers in Scotland, which is used here as a basis for speculatively exploring opposing values between private sector housing developers and architects in housing design. Drawing initially on reviews of this relationship in the initial mass private sector housing provision in the inter-war period in the UK the paper then compares this with the more recent position as evidenced in the research, two generations later. It identifies and analyses the basis for a perpetuated mutual wariness as a way to understand the potential for change in current trends, and ends by highlighting some examples of alternative collaborations, where the skills and values of architects are more fully articulated with those of developers and manufacturers in innovative housing provision, including forms of mass customisation.
Color Research & Application
Glazed ceramic cladding is a material with a very long history of use in the built environment, w... more Glazed ceramic cladding is a material with a very long history of use in the built environment, whether as roof tiles, wall tiles, or more recently, as part of a rainscreen cladding system. A key factor in the resurgence of interest in ceramic as a cladding material—in addition to its inherent qualities of sustainability, malleability, durability, and fire resistance—is as a means of incorporating color into the facade. Although polychromatic facades are commonly achieved using tessellation of a range of single‐colored elements, this article will focus on complex layered and variegated color and texture within a single component. Historical glazes, such as the blue‐red of Chinese Jun ware pottery from the 12th century CE were produced through carefully controlled reduction kiln processes, yet retained an element of uncertainty in the resultant patterns and remain an inspiration for contemporary ceramic artists. Drawing on historical research, literature review and interviews with ce...
Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 2016
Flexible is a common term used in the built environment, especially relating to current and futur... more Flexible is a common term used in the built environment, especially relating to current and future design. However, individuals will define the term in different ways in relation to their context. In school design, there are various interpretations and applications of ‘flexible’ terminology. The objective of this paper is to scrutinize the term flexible by reviewing its application primarily in Scottish Government publications relating to school design. This paper aims to generate constructive reflection for those involved in school design, directly and indirectly, so they can respond effectively to the question: What does ‘flexible’ mean in a school design context?
Design Studies, 2001
If we take the cognitive science account of design as a process of search then accidental events ... more If we take the cognitive science account of design as a process of search then accidental events can provide opportunities to enter new spaces, change direction, and short-circuit detailed investigation. We compare the search account with poststructuralist accounts of the accidental move, which we argue have greater currency in certain schools of thinking about design. Rather than search, poststructuralism constructs its discussions around the problematics of repetition, origins and intentionality. In turn we contrast the poststructuralist account with the hermeneutics of Gadamer, which directs attention to the issue of authority in design, at least on the matter of the accidental move. The discussion of authority serves to debunk the sense of mystery associated with design when appeal is made to accident.
Architectural Colour in the Professional Palette, 2013
Architectural Colour in the Professional Palette, 2013
Architectural Theory Review, 2014
DAVID MACARTHUR is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sydney. ... more DAVID MACARTHUR is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Department at the University of Sydney. He works at the interface of contemporary pragmatism, Wittgenstein, and the philosophy of art. In addition to these topics, he has published articles in leading philosophy journals and books on liberal naturalism, scepticism, common sense, perception, language, philosophy of architecture, and philosophy of photography and film. He has co-edited three collections of papers with Mario De Caro (Roma Tré): Naturalism in Question (Harvard, 2004); Naturalism and Normativity (Columbia, 2010); and Philosophy in an Age of Science: Physics, Mathematics and Skepticism (Harvard, 2012).
The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture throug... more The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture through selected projects of two contemporary architectural practices. Colour, which is generated through the play of light, is never static and has the capability to be used as an instrument to tune and transform architectural space. Coloured glass has been used for centuries, although with the symbolism embodied in the window design as the primary intent and the interaction of the cast colours largely a secondary effect. Drawing on an interview with Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos of UN Studio, based in Amsterdam, and considering the work of the American architect, Steven Holl, the paper argues that the metaphysical properties of reflected colour can be seen as instrumental to the synergic design of architectural space.
arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, 2003
When asked ‘what is your most exciting/important job’ my answer would always be ‘the next one’. T... more When asked ‘what is your most exciting/important job’ my answer would always be ‘the next one’. The struggle necessary to finish any serious building project is so overwhelming that once the certificate of completion is signed, the last thing one wants to do is reflect on or pontificate about it. I was 34 when given Southfield [2] to design and am now more than twice that age. I was flattered when Fiona McLachlan told me she wanted to do research on my practice and initially to study Southfield and I was later a little scared when the Editor asked me to write an introduction to this study. But I have found it fascinating to read Fiona's paper and to ponder those heady days in the mid 1960s when Southfield dominated my life. It seems to me the most useful contribution I can make is to relate how I came to be doing this job and where the ideas came from which I can now appreciate were and are very important.
JAIC - Journal of the International Colour Association, 2017
The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture throug... more The paper will explore the transformative capabilities of colour and light in architecture through selected projects from contemporary architectural practices and designers. Colour, which is generated through the play of light, is never static, and has the capability to be used as an instrument to tune and transform architectural space. Through the constantly changing conditions of daylight, coloured filters, projected images, and technological developments in the control of light sources, multiple readings of space are generated. Drawing on an interview with Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos of UNStudio, based in Amsterdam, and considering the work of the American architect, Steven Holl, alongside an emerging field of architect-designers, the paper argues that the metaphysical properties reflected and projected coloured light can be seen as instrumental to the synergic design of architectural space [1].
Architectural Theory Review, 2014
Along with physical form, spatial articulation, and the expression of materiality, colour is an e... more Along with physical form, spatial articulation, and the expression of materiality, colour is an essential medium though which buildings are experienced, and its application can mediate the perception of other elements. A number of well-developed colour theories exist, yet their traction in the practice of architectural design appears minimal. This paper considers colour theory in the context of architectural practice, specifically though examples elicited from interviews with a number of practitioners. It reviews particular colour theories and suggests that for such thinking to become more widely integrated into practice, a transactional approach is needed, with both aspects drawing on, and informing, the other. Research that seeks to enhance the understanding of the strategic use of colour within architectural design practice could identify diverse, individual, and empirically based approaches, which may inform the development of post-positivist theoretical models.