Basic Design: A Design Handbook for Architects and Designers

Friedrich Christoph Wagner spent the years between 1965 and 2002—with few interruptions—lecturing students of architecture on the basics of design. This book represents the summation ofhis teachings. He presents an insight into his working methods, a definiton of the position of the basics of design, a practical didactic system for creativity, perception and aesthetics as well as a largenumber of examples of his students’ work.A first insight into creative training, both for individuals and for groups, is followed by a number of freely and playfully addressed themes. The author subsequently presents us a broad selection ofsculptural themes by means of study pieces based upon "body space" and "the logic of the form." This is followed by chapters that deal with the phenomenon of space, with basic topologicaland geometrical patterns, with the realm of primal images and primal acts in architecture, with space and time—incorporating symmetry and movement in space—and with studies of light in relationto space. This is followed by a discussion of surface and of surface structures, again with a number of examples. Finally, a number of projects serve to demonstrate the properties of the line, withthe concomitant topics of sequences and proportions.The next chapter deals with "elements of architecture" featuring students’ projects and findings, with an emphasis on proxemics, locations, situations, the ways in which people behave and thecorresponding forms in architecture; worlds of sound also play a role here. In connection with this, a number of excursions were undertaken to the island of Sifnos in the Cyclades, where studentsassisted in making measurements and conducting research at the Kato Petali site. Finally, a number of summer academies were held on the theme of "architecture as a relationship space."The book contains a DVD with sound samples and films concerned with "space and light."