Pneu Relations
Los Angeles, CA
Architecture is inherently prescriptive. It dictates how we live and reinforces power dynamics, social agendas and norms. Known formal typologies create a global society where we all have the same understanding of space and corporeal experience. Humanity has searched for an escape from this mundanity through event spaces, like circuses, pop-ups, protests, raves and music festivals. The architecture of these spaces employs ephemeral building materials, such as fog, lights, and air. When space is used in unforeseen ways, governments can only handle the spatial abnormality within the hegemonic structure for a short period of time, under the assurance that it will fade into the background to be quickly forgotten. As naturally social creatures, humans learn from and with each other through the act of experiencing new phenomena. Doing this together, breaks down social norms, due to the fact that no one’s creative appropriation of the space is “correct,” and allows architecture to progress further in its inherent social agenda. The design project uses the ephemeral materials to re-envision an architecture that is not inherently prescriptive but allows for variability of understanding, which encourages inhabitants to collaboratively experiment with space.
With - California Polytechnic State University SLO
Client - Self-directed
When - Fall 2019 / Spring 2020
Mapping / Analysis
Pneu Relations is an architectural installation that employs ephemeral materials, mainly inflatable architecture, in order to create a collective learning experience within Los Angeles City Hall. Centrally located in the seat of power within LA, this new community space brings visitors into government space and forces occupants to reinterpret the building in an exploratory way. The installation works on those in power, requiring them to adjust their routines and to accommodate the importance of non-prescriptive architecture in their governing process.
Architectural program is inherently prescriptive. Therefore, the
installation doesn’t focus on listed activities but encourages a variety of human interaction, derived from precedent studies of ephemeral event spaces and the kinds of situations found there. Visitors are subjected to an array of phenomenon which challenges their preconceived notions about how to move through space. Inflated plastic amplifies the use of the standard five senses, along with lesser-known senses such as equilibrioception, proprioception, and thermoception, in order to produce abnormal physical responses, and in turn, transgressive social responses as well.
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