THE THINKING AND RATIONALISATION IN USING RECYCLED BUILDING COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS.
What we discovered in our analyses of the environment we live in that the use and reuse of building components and materials is a very integral part of our existence. It is sustainable and renewing resources that had consumed considerable energy in its production.
Architecture and what we create ultimately last much longer than their creators. There are many ancient structures still standing to reflect the greatness of the architects or the artists. Their creations outlast them.
In the RITES OF THE TROPIC we highlighted that History can be a Juxta-positioning of memories focus one’s vista on the journey/passage of time and history. It contextualises the visual composition, and that Tropical architecture allows for a Symbiotic relationship between Man-made elements and Nature, is a cerebral relationship laced with emotions and memories, it embraces totally all of one’s senses. The intertwining of Nature with Man-made structure celebrates this symbiotic relationship.
HISTORY CAN BE A JUXTA-POSITIONING OF MEMORIES
The statement “History can be a Juxta-positioning of memories focus one’s vista on the journey/passage of time and history. It contextualises the visual composition” of the contemporary to the past. The use of re-cycled materials and components subscribe to and support this statement. Using materials from old buildings contextualises the new project with its heritage and creates the sense of “the passage of time”. In constructing new structures, the introduction of elements of the heritage not only enriches the design but also provides timelessness to the interior spaces.
In looking at history and understanding the past it forces the architect to assume a position of humility. This we have often referred to as one of the most important guiding principle in the practise of architecture. Architecture begins with humility on the part of the architect. He looks at all elements with a sense of humility and absorbs all into his system where he accepts and understands them. After attaining all the necessary information and understanding these constraints, he then engages himself in the “Tai-Chi” of architecture, and produce the most fantastic architecture that embodies all elements encountered. Good architecture comes from the “Architecture of Humility” followed by the ”Tai-Chi of Architecture”.
Material that matured and aged through time has a patina value unattainable through artificial means. The texturing of wood grains and other embellishments of the natural material through ageing had a mellowness of touch and colour, an indicative manifestation of time. Time takes precedence over Man. Man is only temporal. Our works outlast us. Materials outlast us. Using recycled materials is the architect paying homage and demonstrating humility to the material, passage of time, craft of the time and the craftsmen who executed the works. Pieces of recyclable pieces also represent bits of mosaic from the past. Properly placed together could and should provide clues for us about our past for striking forth into the future. Only then could modern works of Asian architecture be substantial and based on tangible arguments. Here lies the importance of architectural heritage and old building components. Wholesale rejection of the old is misconceived. In the pursuit for modernism.
many post-ideological dependent nations have rejected their past only for the rationale of “catching up” with the West.
Cho Wei
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Wei Ling
- Jewellery Gem
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TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE ALLOWS FOR A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE
Tropical architecture allows for a symbiotic relationship between Man-made elements and Nature, is a cerebral relationship laced with emotions and memories, it embraces totally all of one’s senses. In the relationship between Man and nature, Man is temporal. Nature was here before Man imposed upon it and nature will be here after Man has gone. The ruin palace complexes of the Angkor civilisation in Siem Reap are fantastic examples of how and what nature could do. Nature will claim what is hers. Architecture that contributes towards the intertwining of Nature with Man-made structure celebrates this symbiotic relationship. Recycled building material is Nature fossilised in time. Re-introducing it and re-working it into modern architecture celebrates this relationship.
Within the global quest for renewable and sustainable architecture in the context of the dwindling world energy resources, the reusing of recycled materials that utilises zero energy is arguably subscribing towards this concern. Buildings built from recycled materials and relying on natural ventilation using minimal energy required to operate surely must be the direction architects should be heading for. Modern materials require tremendous amount of energy to produce. Steel and aluminium two of the all time favourite materials for construction require mega-watts to produce when compared to timber. Most of the traditional components used for recycling purpose are timber based. Total usage of recycled components is not encouraged. Sparing use with sensitivity is encouraged.
CONCLUSION
Talking about recycling materials ultimately leads to the question of recycled buildings. In this respect every heritage building no matter how old or dilapidated has a potential. Vernacular architecture has an important role to play towards a new direction for modern architecture. Therefore the
retention of some of these buildings for future reference is important and should not for the slightest reason be demolished. Heritage buildings are;
Never too Old to be reused
Any building no matter how derelict or poorly maintained can be rebuilt and reconstructed and or restored if the need rise.
Economy of Preserving Heritage buildings.
Rebuilding of heritage or old buildings do not have to cost a large investment to refurbish.
A Living and continuing Heritage. The people are descendants of a rich heritage and are still an integral part of a living heritage their continuing to live the way they have been doing is part of a preservation of the continuing a heritage. Under the circumstances rebuilding of historic buildings do not have to maintain the original fabric but as long as a reference to the old spirit and tradition is retained.
Sustainability of heritage buildings.
After the rebuilding of a heritage building it ought to provide some form of return for the investment and bring in some income, modest that it may be. The viability of maintaining the building makes it preservation.
Many buildings once derelict tend to be disregarded and written off as non-usable, or that the reconstruction cost is too prohibitive.
Conservation of historic buildings has all to do about preserving one’s past and keeping it as a reference for the future generations to understand the heritage and may be the path or a track for a route forward. It had been said that for Man to go forward he needs go back to the past to chart and plot a course using the past as a guide to move forward without losing track of the past. This is where Asian architects in surging forward for modernity have forgotten the past and the great civilisation that we have originated from.
The past is important for the present, as the present will be for the future. The future will be the present and the present will be the past, just as today is the future of the past and to-day will be the past of the future.