Spatial Pressure: The Manipulation of Fluid Space through the Hybridization of Art and Architecture

I believe that although those trained within the discipline of architecture are skilled at sculpting form and space, art practice is often more successful at manipulating spatial conditions beyond architectural norms to affect the dynamic human body. This research thesis proposes that by employing an art practice methodology to influence the architectural design process then a new type of spatially affective, hybridized architecture might be created. In affect theory, knowledge of the body’s interaction with space and other bodies, and reaction to atmosphere is essential to the understanding of a spatial environment. Knowledge of the body and of spatial relationships are inherent to the architectural discipline and yet art practice is often more successful at challenging and manipulating affective responses. While architecture promotes affective responses from those who inhabit, or move through, built forms, might we employ art practice to enhance these spatial reactions? Spatial Pressure proposes that if the architectural discipline employs sculptural art practice methodology then a new type of successful spatially affective architecture might be created. It also proposes that through the manipulation of fluid space, hybrids of art and architecture can affect the dynamic body and enhance spatial responses. The thesis argues for the development of new modes, methods and markers of creating and analysing affective hybrids in order to manipulate spatial reactions. It argues for a reintegration of the body into architecture through the central method of the creation of human scale, sculptural yet pragmatic, interventions. In this work the observation of the body’s response to these interventions is analysed and reinterpreted with each design move, avoiding direct representation of the body. By employing sculptural practices to create publically activated, art-architecture, the hybridized interventions act to push and pull space and encourage movement through spatial pressure. The body moves, the spatial interventions are static; it is the “in-between” that provides the affective condition. Working in a liminal zone between two disciplines creates challenges and opportunities to enhance affective influences and opens the possibility of altering current norms of architectural practice.