Problem and example: The Nine-Square and the Cooper Union Foundation Building Transformation

Authors

  • Lisseth Estrella Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24215/24226483083

Keywords:

John Hejduk, structure, analysis, pedagogy, architectural design

Abstract

Teaching by example is a fundamental aspect of John Hejduk’s pedagogy strategy. Without further explanations, Hejduk relates his project for the interior transformation of the Cooper Union Foundation Building to the Nine-Square problem. It is a singular case because the building, home of the school of architecture, presents to its students the example of the problem used to introduce them to architecture. With archival information and references from people that were part of the school at that time – John Hejduk, Peter Eisenman, Rafael Moneo, and Lorna McNeur – the article identifies that both problem and example share the same structure and defines the method to relate them: to use the Nine-Square as an analytical tool applying the concepts of center-periphery, fluidity-containment, and structure-plane. The paper outcome has led to an understanding of the problem’s analytical content in relation to the architect’s tools: the passage from plan to section in relation to the concepts of space and time.

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Author Biography

Lisseth Estrella, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Arquitecto por la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE). Ha sido profesora en el área de proyectos en la PUCE y en la Universidad Central del Ecuador. Ha recibido reconocimientos como alumna y como profesional en concursos públicos de diseño arquitectónico. Obtuvo el título de Máster en Proyectos Arquitectónicos Avanzados en la ETSAM-UPM. Actualmente está continuando sus estudios de doctorado en la misma universidad.

References

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Published

2020-06-30

How to Cite

Estrella, L. (2020). Problem and example: The Nine-Square and the Cooper Union Foundation Building Transformation. Estudios Del hábitat, 18(1), 083. https://doi.org/10.24215/24226483083