We try to make buildings last long and be resilient but also be not so idiosyncratic that they can't change.
Elizabeth DillerRead
Aside from keeping the rain out and producing some usable space, architecture is nothing but a special-effects machine that delights and disturbs the senses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Architecture is not just a functional space but an art form that invokes emotions.
In this quote, Elizabeth Diller emphasizes that architecture goes beyond merely providing shelter and utility; it serves as a medium that engages the senses and elicits emotional responses. By referring to architecture as a 'special-effects machine,' she highlights its potential to astonish and provoke thought, blending utility with artistic expression.
Themes
ArchitectureArtEmotionsDesignSensory
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the impact of architecture on human experiences.
More from Elizabeth Diller
All quotes βWe're always taught that we're building for permanence, but why? I like the idea of a prosthetic architecture! When a section is removed, the building readjusts its weight distribution, like a living body.
Elizabeth DillerRead
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