Concretion, abstraction: The place of design processes in the theory of architecture : Case study: Herzog & De Meuron

Observing contemporary architecture, as a practitioner and teacher, I become aware of the difficulty to understand the constitutive rules of a project and even when one can identify some, they are often limited in reach. The qualifiers for the word architecture have multiplied over time: minimalism, hygienism, socio-participationism, formalism, high-tech, low-tech, sustainable and eco are some examples. Today the design processes are fundamental for the understanding of architectural projects, since universal rules of composition (harmony) and common ideals (beauty) have failed to support them exhaustively. A possible stable common ground to all constructed projects remains in the act of construction. Herzog & De Meuron’s work is representative of this new framework. In their designs, they explore synergies between the abstract paper work and the concrete constructive realities. When explaining their projects, they highlight the design process which encompasses the abstraction, the materiality and the reality of our post industrial world. (...) Herzog & de Meuron have established central position in the architectural discourse through acts of making.(Nicholas Olsberg, 2002, Herzog & de Meuron, Natural History, Lars Müller publishers, Swizerland, p8) This paper bears relevance for both practitioners and theorists at two levels: it explores the theoretical relevance and the practical tools of an outstanding referential architect. It explores, with the specific tools of the architect, the design process of their projects through the question of the construction. The analysis is based on both their writings and the realized projects.