Architecture = shape + materials + functionality + spirituality
To achieve the soul of architecture, material and immaterial are both equally important.It’s all about putting different material to create a spaces or building. The history of architecture is being heavy, solid and strength to show power, using heavy material. Nowadays, many new materials have been used to create new qualities of spaces. Buildings starting to move (wall panel) to create different spaces and moods. But without the sense of immateriality the building live without soul.
Materiality
Supplied use of various materials (touchable substance) in the medium of building. Materialiy refers the relationship between user and physical environment which is concept of materiality that used for the building which provide human the senses of touch and visual. Using of natural formed phenomenon such as stone, brick and wood that allow our vision to penetrate their surfaces and enable us to become convinced of the veracity of matter. Technically it is important under circumstances as a part of building structure.
 |
| Dancing house Prague by Frank Gehry |
Role of materiality today is seen in buildings that are still being built in the controversial methods of solid brick, timber, glass, stones that express the strength and stability like in the olden days but the huge transformation of using latest technology. The building can tell story and focus on function more than feeling of the soul of the real functionality. But at the same time the amalgamation of using different materials today makes huge perception of view of contemporary architecture than previous eras. The structure or back bone that supports a building built by raw material which is stiff and stable. Construction techniques and materials create the possibilities for shape, form and space. Form create function. By the example of the building above, Gehry transformed the usage of material in latest way of technology; the curved structural facades covers with glass gives the feeling of huge transformation of material usage. But the feeling of the soul of the building is less compare to the "wow"-ness of the structure.
Immateriality
Immateriality related in a state of (un-touchable substance) a building simplified and reduced to its essential elements, lightness, transparency. Immateriality in architecture use formless phenomenon through materiality. Machine-made materials such as glass, metals and plastics that part of the structure let the immateriality live together to spice up the essence of the soul. Blending together with nature gives philosophically spiritual than physical. Technological development towards lightness, programmatic focus on actions rather than forms are the perceives absence of matter.
 |
| Jewish museum, Berlin by Libeskin
Role of immateriality in architecture nowadays is create different senses and spaces for a building. The immaterial elements and the information as the new immaterial fragment of space; define the void and interact with visitors. Manmade materials have been used nowadays for timeless purpose. Contemporary architecture domesticate endless time and enable us to inhabit the continuum of time. By the example of the building above, Libeskind use less type of materials but let the "immateriality" speaks more than "materiality". His formulated promenade leads people through galleries, empty spaces, and dead ends. A significant portion o f the extension is void of windows and difference in materiality. The interior is composed of reinforced concrete which reinforces the moments of the empty spaces and dead ends where only a sliver of light is entering the space. It is a symbolic gesture by Libeskind for visitors to experience what the Jewish people during WWII felt, such that even in the darkest moments where you feel like you will never escape, a small trace of light restores hope.
 
In my opinion, materiality and immateriality predominantly about the expression of material properties and human perception because different material create different feelings. We can feel the space or building more on its material.For example, glass can blend in the surrounding of the building and give us outdoor experiences even we are in indoor. Those kind of particular material elements allows the materiality live among without sense of knowing.
As a conclusion, i think materiality and immateriality should be balance in architecture since both of them is important and bring own benefits. Just like human; body and soul.
http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/dancinghouse/ http://www.archdaily.com/91273/ad-classics-jewish-museum-berlin-daniel-libeskind |