Pandora and the modern scale model machine

The Greek word techne is often translated as craftsmen, engineers and artists. Today these are three disciplines, but it is still quite often that an architect/artist employs craft/ engineer way to advance the design. In the article Pandora and the modern scale model machine, the craft/ engineer device is called scale model machine. The author illustrates examples of how architects utilize scale model machine to identify/ address the difficulties in the design process from the perspective of Antonio Gaudi, Vladimir Tatli,, El Lissitzky, Louis Kahn and Daniel Libeskind.

Gaudi uses scale model to study geometry in a engineer way. When talking about geometry, people always think about those straight edges, perfect or even symmetrical shapes that doesn’t exist in the nature. But Gaudi’s string model, for example, creates perfect arch complex simply out of gravity; and more than that, that scale model also visualize gravity. This is a great example of addressing engineer problem, generating shape and visualizing design by using scale model machine.

Tatlin’s 3^rd international tower helps exploring disciplines that are very broad and unclear. Because astrology, alchemy and the sophisticated human body are abstract and impossible to model, this machine sensually describes a scale by the spiral shape, represents the long process of exploring science, the infinite small spiral tip and infinite cone bottom. This is successful in terms of modeling the intangibles.

Kahn’s use of scale model may seem universal in current architectural field. Simulate is basically how he uses scale model machine to develop the Memorial to sex million Jewish martyrs. The model as a material and sensual tester proves Kahn wrong.

Even more than a tool to help architects develop their designs, scale models are becoming more of a tool to communicate with other architects. The information a scale model conveys is transferring from measurable to invisible. Even though, architects learn from both the processing of making the model and studying the finished model. With the help of technology, architects can now hire robots to make scale models. These robotic arms are similar to what human can do except that their elbows are more flexible, strengths are bigger, and more patient and efficient. The robots now build scale models exactly the way humans do so that architects learn by watching the robots work as well.