Stan Allen describes field conditions as “bottom-up phenomena: defined not by overarching geometrical schemas but by intricate local connections.” What are some field condition examples that can be found in the road systems of Lubbock?
Field conditions in Lubbock include: the grid layout of the roads, the road system's orthogonal layout, stop signs and the numbering/ lettering patterns of the streets.
- Stop signs are a field condition in their relationship to the intersection.
- The degree of road taper (or grading) is a practical road condition facilitating runoff in Lubbock's flat terrain. Which proves that solutions to problems can be field conditions.
In part 1, Allen distinguishes a geometric relationship of classical architecture from an algebraic combination of the Cordoba Mosque. How do these two architectural examples differ?
In the case of the Cordoba Mosque, the units (arches) refer back to the whole. The arch structural pattern started with one arch and grew in a algebraic model.
- Geometric relationships exist as stable patterns (i.e. all angles of a triangle adding up to 180 degrees) vs. Algebraic combinations which introduce unknown variables.
The paving and paths exist as a field condition. Stadium seating, people filling the seats and crowd behavior exist as field conditions as well.
- parking lots with the classic 8'x16' space are well known, utilitarian field conditions.
How does a field condition stand to redefine the relation between figure and ground?
Figure ground representations are simplistic filled vs. non-filled space represented by the positive and negative space of a drawing. One famous figure ground drawing is Giambattista Nolli's figure ground representation of Rome. Field conditions add a dimension relationships in spaces and the element of usage.
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