Architecture is ...

As with all posts on this Blog, images can be enlarged by clicking, and viewed as a mini slideshow.  All images and content are  © maloxon.

Architecture is, essentially, the thoughtful usurpation of space, for a time, by materials.  The enclosed space is defined for a purpose, or a range of purposes.  The enclosing materials capture, occupy, some space, and in doing so redefine it.  The captured space is not always visible; it might be interesting to imagine it freed of its materials. 
 This set of pairs of images shows captured spaces, and some of the free space immediately adjacent to them.  This pairing helps us appreciate the tension between the scale of the architect's responsibility in the act of capturing space, and gives an intimation of loss of what might never have been. 

Some space not occupied by chimneys over the Kellosaari Power Plant, Helsinki, Finland 

Some space occupied by chimneys over the Kellosaari Power Plant, Helsinki, Finland

 Space captured at Kaapeli (the old Nokia cable factory), Helsinki, Finland

Space left almost entirely liberated next to the Kaapeli (the old Nokia cable factory), Helsinki, Finland

Space captured by the roof and cupola of the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, UK.  Who captured this space?  A design by Wren (perhaps with assistance from Wallis), rebuilt by Saunders but with a cupola replaced by Blore.....

Space left almost entirely uncaptured by all of the above, over the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, UK

Part of the roof (designed by Winde, or maybe Pratt, or maybe even Wren)  at Belton House, nr. Grantham, UK, to enclose some space and provide shelter in a Restoration-not-quite-Baroque kind of way.

Some space which the roof at Belton House was not designed to reach.
                                                                                                                                                           

See Naples and get soaked

There were two kinds of weather on my recent visit to Naples: heavy rain and torrential rain.

I was interested to see that although the numbers of Roman Catholic faithful seem to be declining, motor bikes remain very devout and sometimes pause to worship at wayside shrines.

Despite the rain, life goes on, and people and market produce have umbrellas:

As is the Capodimonte gallery for painting and sculpture, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale is a world class treasure-house of artefacts from the ancient world.  I was surprised to see that some of the exhibits can be taken away, and for a very modest price:

Berlin - I am a digital camera

A short Spree spree in Berlin

Berlin's fashionable courtyards teem with trending art and fashion independents.  

The Hackescher Markt in Mitte, is one such urban hive

 Modeish

 Moreish

 Tree lights

 Blue moon

 Little white light

 Cinema lighting - day for night

A psychoanalyst's scissors

Ich war ein hamburger - the Hamburger Bahnhof replaced trains with contemporary art