Architecture - Research Paper Example

Architecture Research Paper The Archigram is contentious and troublesome in an extraordinarily influential manner. This is because since the 1960s, they continue to extend the language of architectural thought and expression as they go beyond the known boundaries and principles. It is clear that they have had significant impact on architectural ideas ever since their establishment. Originally a magazine, Archigram was formed in the early 1960s by David Greene and Peter Cook with the intention of publishing work that stood out from international modernism and reinvented form and technology (Cook et al. 56). Michael Webb joined the project with the contribution of his unique ideas and designs.

Other members who joined the Archigram include Warren Chalk, Dennis Crompton and Ron Heron. Together, they proposed new ways of living that sought to explore the possibilities of new technologies while overthrowing modernist dogma of form follows function (Rattenbury, Robert, and Kieran 1995) Michael Webbs Drive-in Housing in 1966 explores the car and popular lifestyles that point out the behavioral changes in the society and bring out the redundancy of normal fixed buildings. This project entails an insight into the possible utilization of cars as mobile and serviced constituent parts that make up adaptable dwelling systems that consist of cars, drive-in buildings and other necessary services.

It is a preliminary study that shades light on the design of techniques such as automated construction, servicing and dismantling methods usually used on the development of large buildings. The building in the project has a design large enough to house component production units in its establishment. The production units manufacture plastic panels that are molded and reinforced, which arrive to their position in the structure when folded up, and then open out to provide utilizable floor space (Ethapane 3).

In this project, Webb prefers to use plastic as a constructional material instead of steel mainly because of the fact that plastic has more advantages of on-site production of components that steel. The idea is to transport the raw materials to one of the ports and then pump them through pipelines that lead to the production unit on the site of construction. This is not possible in the case of steel because one has to develop complete units at the production factory usually located at great distances away from the construction site (Ethapane 3).

After the construction, completed drive-in homes will have the fixed service units at variable distances with regards to the number of available mobile containers. This will ensure that maximum space is available for the restructuring of mobile space containers. Michael Webbs Drive-in Housing project is an inspiration for the contemporary style of dwelling places as it shows that the impossible can be possible. Architects of today can use this concept to widen their ideology especially in their use of technology.

They can extend their creativity using technology without limiting themselves to the use of technology as simply a tool to create conceptual ideas. Webbs project pushes the boundaries of the possibilities found with technological development and introduces the element of innovation into the field of architecture (Steiner 114). Inspirational creativity is a relevant lesson to learn from Michael Webbs Project, and the Archigram in general. The Drive-in Housing project is an architecture that expresses the desire for continuous change by the inhabitants of the dwellings with regards to the ambiguity of life (Sadler 94).

Works CitedCook, Peter, Warren Chalk, Dennis Crompton, David Greene, Ron Herron and Mike Webb. Archigram 1961-174. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1999. Print.Ethapane, Vinuri. “The Architectural Telegram: Archigram.” The Journal of Sri Lanka institute of Architects. (2012). Print.Rattenbury Kester, Robert Bevan and Kieran Long. Architects Today. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2006. Print.Sadler, Simon. Archigram: Architecture Without Architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. Print.Steiner, Hadas.

Beyond Archigram: The Structure of Circulation. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, 2009. Print.