top of page

Material culture and meaning


Through our senses we automatically connect dots to how a material might make you feel and think in relation to your knowledge and past, whether it be something personal or universal. As a designer and maker, you need to think of the meaning that a material might convey to the culture and surroundings you're placing it in. Architecture can tell stories through relating to the surroundings, history and culture their place in by using relevant materials, colours, textures and shapes.


The Bordeaux Law Court building is a prime example of how material can be used in context to the history and culture of Bordeaux. The ruins of Bordeaux were built by different cultures, starting with the romans and then escalating to others through revolution and war. The city was repeatedly used as a trading centre of France, first by the romans to trade wine and then in the 18th century when it established itself as a harbour essential for trade also part of the three way trade.

image 1, Port of Bordeaux in 1758

The use of great ships was needed for export and import, and boat building would have been an artisan craft used within Bordeaux. The traditional use of wood within boat building alongside the method and techniques of the artisan craft were employed to create the 7 court room pods in the building, reflecting Bordeaux history in a brilliant and unexpected way.

image 2, building the Bordeaux Law Court





コメント


bottom of page