Ákos Moravánszky – författare

Materiality is a recurring and central issue in architecture. This book explains how materials are "constructed", how they become cultural substances. Metamorphism investigates the complex relationship between natural materials and technology, science and sensuality.

Gottfried Semper (1803–1879) made the notion of Stoffwechsel the key element of his theory. With this concept he intended to explain how a structural form originally bound to a method of processing is transferred from one material to another, liberated from its original function.

For the first time, the book investigates the subject from a historic point of view whilst reflecting on current interdisciplinary research. Examples from Aalto to Zumthor illustrate the specific aspects of historic and contemporary material concepts.

After the Second World War, a divided Europe was much affected by a period of reconstruction. This was influenced by the different political systems – in the socialist East and in the capitalist West, the focus was on cohesion in society and its cultural and architectural expression. In parallel to the rapidly progressing industrialization of the building industry, debates on the humanization of the built environment were led on both sides with great intensity. The volume shows how, on the back of existentialism, new monumentality, and socialist realism, quite similar concepts and strategies were developed in order to find answers to questions relating to adequate structures for new forms of community and identity.

From 1970–1990, architecture experienced a revision as part of the post-modern movement. The critical attitude to the functionalistic Moderne style and the influence of semiotics and philosophical trends, such as phenomenology, on architectural theory led to an increased interest in its history, expression, perception, and context. In addition, architectural heritage and the care of architectural monuments gained importance.

This development also increasingly challenged the ideologically based division between East and West. Instead of emphasizing the differences, the search was for a joint cultural heritage. The contributions in this volume question terms such as "Moderne" and "post-modern", and show how architecture could again represent local, regional, and national identity.

Materialität ist ein zentrales und stetiges Thema der Architektur. Dieses Buch erklärt, wie Materialien zu Stoffen unserer Kultur werden. Stoffwechsel verfolgt so die Metamorphosen zwischen Natur und Technik, Wissenschaft und Sinnlichkeit.

Das Konzept des Stoffwechsels wurde von Gottfried Semper (1803–1879) zum wesentlichen Element seiner Theorie erhoben. Er bezeichnete damit das Phänomen, dass Strukturformen, die ursprünglich mit der Bearbeitungstechnik eines Materials verbunden waren, von ihrer konstruktiven Aufgabe entlastet als Ornamente in andere Stoffe übertragen werden.

Das Thema wird erstmals aus historischer Sicht wie im Spiegel aktueller, transdisziplinärer Erkenntnisse dargestellt. Beispiele von Aalto bis Zumthor illustrieren die Aspekte einstiger und heutiger Materialkonzepte.

From 1960–1980, both eastern and western Europe experienced a construction boom of new dimensions. Cybernetics, the science of planning, and sociology, as well as the new possibilities offered by technology and production, paved the way to large-scale processes and systems in architecture and urban design, which favored technocratic and utopian concepts. Increasingly, architects and planners saw themselves as designers of comprehensive infrastructure and mega-structures in a technology-focused world.

The authors assesses these developments on the back of a knowledge transfer between East and West. It confirms a change in attitude that can still be felt today – recession, social changes, and environmental problems led to criticism of the then contemporary concepts of modernity.