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ABSTRACT:
Contemporary architecture is something difficult, almost impossible to de-
fine. More and more architects are trying to express in their works the
complexity of today’s society. Globalization plays an essential role in this
architectural spread; today intercultural exchange from all over the world
allows architects to follow many different inspirations to develop their own
line of thinking.
However, it is possible to define two main ‘umbrellas’ under which archi-
tects are take position: the artist-architects and the philosopher-archi-
tects. It is crucial to clarify that this classification does not try to suggest
architectural homogeneity in each cluster; inside these two groups we can
find completely heterogeneous projects and even antagonistic to one an-
other. Indeed, this ordering is a way to understand the broad perspective
of the present architectural map.
This paper is focused on Steven Holl’s latest career and the intimate rela-
tion that he has established with both branches of contemporary archi-
tecture. Since his beginnings he has felt the need to define the theoretical
framework in which he was going to develop his designs, always prioritiz-
ing quality against quantity. He embraced phenomenology as a theoretical
base, and from there he has developed his personal system by predicting
his buildings with aquarelle drawings, by choosing the materials carefully,
and by working with people’s perceptions to evoke their emotions. These
are the characteristics that put Steven Holl’s architecture close to the
work of true artists. The result is the work of a passionate architect creat-
ing a balance between theory and practice, thinking each work with the
same philosophy, but searching for a result deeply connected with the site.
Steven Holl expresses, through his critical and poetic content, his own vi-
sion of the way architecture should be.
© 2012 - Matías Blas Imbern
Harvard University - Graduate School of Design
All rights reserved.