Corner Condition Exploration

the corner is an interesting condition in architecture and space.  it simultaneously brings planes and surfaces together, a convergent role, while also functioning as the location in which planes and surfaces can move apart, a divergent role.

in this condition my interest is not to disrupt or diminish the role, rather to intensify the convergent and divergent elements by introducing a contextual reference, through transparency, and an additional variable, through a third plane.

transparency introduces new stimuli into the experience that reminds and encourages the individual to reference the moment against something far more significant than the corner and the architecture – that is the world beyond.

the additional plane plays a less significant role in that it creates a point of intensification where material, textural, color conditions can make the corner more dynamic.

exploration of the corner has plenty of precedent to study.  i began this two day exploration by looking at louis kahn’s treatment of the corner condition at phillips exter library and jeff kipnis’ suggestion that corb’s ribbon window stemmed from an interest in removing the ground plan and framing one’s view from the interior as a reference to the world outside.

another strong example has been right in front of me for the past couple weeks.  i've been researching the archives and built-work of the late bill patnaude, an architect and fellow of the american institute of architects [1984] and mid-century architecture legend.  we are organizing an exhibition of his work to take place during 2016 architecture week.  one of his most prominent buildings is the henry madden library at fresno state.  

an undeniably clear brutalist building in which there is clear distinction between walls that support the building loads and those which are for openings, glazing and light; the two story portico features a concrete waffle slab ceiling and the natural, untreated concrete a perfect example of beton brut.  the way patnaude handles the corner in this grand corner is quite interesting.  at the four outside corner conditions, the column follows neither of the orthagonal grids, rather shifts the column on a 45 degree angle, as a gesture that seems to reach out and draw one towards the building.

the subtle chamfer on the corner columns also softens the corner of the building, providing a less rigid corner condition when compared to the 90 degree corner treatment of the library space within the perimeter defined by the portico and columns.