The Rise of the Architectural Fact

Abstract

Through a Mediationist Theory of Architecture based on Jean Gagnepain’s much wider theory of mediation, this theoretical essay discusses the idea that is referred to here as the 'architectural fact'. Its first section therefore presents the five hypotheses of Gagnepain’s theory of mediation and also the definition of architecture that he has suggested. The second part of the essay provides a more detailed definition of the architectural fact and an explanation of the rational principles of its emergence. It involves a clarification of the fundamental notions of 'form' and 'formula', key concepts of the Mediationist Theory of Architecture. Deepening our understanding of the architectural fact, the essay’s third section attempts to explain how it arises within the design process. To do so it provides a contrasting study of, firstly, a series of Palladio’s villas, and secondly, the different versions of the Kimbell Art Museum as designed by Louis I. Kahn and his team.

Keywords

• architectural fact
• mediationist theory of architecture
• jean gagnepain
• form
• formula
• jean-nicolas-louis durand
• andrea palladio
• villa
• louis kahn
• kimbell art museum