Montreal, Canada

Already done with the first leg of the flight. It's a bit different now, knowing that not only is it here but it is currently going on around me. In related news, I'm still working out the details of the actual research portion of this trip. I've got the first day figured out, which consists of learning the neighborhood, finding internet access, laundry, and a decent falafel. My first order of business will be to head down to the Arsenal, which may or may not end up being the base of my operations, depending on how friendly the people are. I've also been having pipe dreams of getting into Maison de Verre, Fondation LeCorbusier, Fondation Cartier, and possibly an interview with the man himself, Jean Nouvel. Though I haven't been proactive enough at this point, so how much actually happens, I won't know.

The map, however, worked out (85 miles and $75 later) and will hopefully be the cornerstone of my actual in-trip deliverables. I'm still looking for a good competition to adopt, which is why the trip to the Arsenal is early on my list.

Chicago, Il

I picked up the maps from the UW-Milwaukee Library last weekend and now I'm heading to the printer to get one of them transferred to Arches paper, which will be a bit of a timeline of my work and travels while in Paris. Theoretically the information will layer on this map over the next 5 weeks until it is a rich tapestry of information about where I've gone and what I've done.

Chicago, Il

I've got just over a week left before I leave. I've been sending emails to contacts at various ecoles to see if anyone is interested in helping out with the project. I'm also sending out feelers for architecture competitions going on in Paris. In talking with Ed Ford about how I can turn this research into a thesis, he suggested looking for actual competitions going on in Paris. The only one is for a new courthouse, which I think is going to be too much program for what I'm looking for.

I've also been working on tracking down a few maps. I have some historic maps being scanned for me, such as the Turgot Plan and various other maps from the 1750's.

My topic is being clearly re-defined. I'm going to be looking at contemporary architecture, and how it relates to the historicity and density of the Parisien fabric. I'll be looking through multiple lenses, such as materiality, quality of light, acess to the street, etc. I also want to look at a few early-20th century examples (early modernism, such as Corbusier and Prouve) to get a better feel for how design sensibilities have changed in the last 100 years. If anyone has suggestions for buildings old or new to look at, I'm all ears until July 11.

Charlottesville, Va

1. Study the pre-condition of Paris as set up by Haussmann. What was the city like between 1860-1910? How did the Paris World Expo and the Age of Iron affect the thinking of Corbusier, Mallet-Stevens, and others working in the early 20th century?

2. Study 3 typographic relationships to the Haussmann plan by studying one modern building in each of the three typologic locations: In the fabric, Along the Boulevard, Terminating the Axis.

In the Fabric: Villa La Roche (1925), Immeuble Molitor (1934).
Despite not being on the Haussmann boulevards, the building chosen in the fabric is still very much linked to the changes that happened in Paris at the time. This typology is exposed to the social, political and economic changes that occurred in Paris. It also provides an interim step between “pre-condition of” and “built reaction to” the Haussmann context. A study of this typology can reveal the zeitgeist of architecture in the early 20th century (if the building chosen is from this era) and offer a more impartial reading of the other typologies.

Along the Boulevards: Centre Georges Pompidou (1977),
Annette Fierro makes the observation that the Haussmann Boulevards placed the upper and lower classes in close contact with each other, and for each increased the presence and surveillance of the other. In placing works of architecture along the axes, the buildings elevate the presence of the Parisian fabric behind, and make it more accessible. The Centre Georges Pompidou is a popular example of such architecture inhabiting the sides of the axes and allowing for such readings. Though the Pompidou is one example, other candidates for this typology should address issues of transparency and accessibility along these routes.

Terminating the Axis: Louvre Addition (1989) L’Opera Bastille (1989)
La Grande Arche (1990)

Three examples showcase three works of Mitterand’s Grands Projets, a series of large urban projects finished just prior to the 200th anniversary of the Revolution. Each is located on the Royal Axis, which conceptually extends to Versailles, whose gardens also conceptually extend infinitely into the distance. In contrast to this, Haussmann found many opportunities in Paris not to have his boulevards extend infinitely, but to be terminated in large civic monuments. This has the dual advantage of terminating grand vistas and more practically, of offering landmarks as wayfinding tools in the city. Candidates, such as the Opera Bastille, should be at or near these termination points, and will demonstrate how these modern buildings react to such a complex site condition.

3. Overlay the findings of these 4 conditions and compare and contrast to elicit a series of patterns or sensibilities about modern design in the Parisian context. This may begin in Paris, but for the most part will be post-travel analysis, so as to maximize time spent on the candidate sites.

Charlottesville, Va

Check. Check. Is this thing on? I'll hopefully be posting daily from Paris on here, starting roughly June 1st and going until July 11th.

At that point, I'll either just take the info off this page, or perhaps try to continue regular postings to get feedback as I continue the research into my thesis project.

We'll see. My attention span is much shorter than one year, so we'll just se how things go.