Comments on: Searching for a Definition of Lo-Fi Architecture

By: Vince Delmonte

Vince Delmonte — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:19:41 +0000

Not that I’m impressed a lot, but this is a lot more than I expected for when I stumpled upon a link on Digg telling that the info here is quite decent. Thanks.

By: Swenuesssem

Swenuesssem — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:40:31 +0000

Does anyone knows what should we expect in 2010? they promise more problems on wall stree? I are heading toward dipression?

By: Dymnswonernew

Dymnswonernew — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:03:18 +0000

dance me to the end of love madeline peyroux diet coke commercial dance all night to this dj as as dance only strong table youre christian song lord of the dance lets face the music and dance

By: vannigmerma

vannigmerma — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:15:45 +0000

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By: Felix Mitchell

Felix Mitchell — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:57:50 +0000

God, I have the perfect example, I just can’t remember the name. Came across him recently while doing some research.

Lo-Fi architecture IS:

Over engineering structures so that you don’t waste money trying to get it perfect. Thicker columns, less calculations, lower skilled workforce. Standardise construction to make it simpler, not more complex. Use materials wisely.

I don’t think favelas are a great example of lo-fi architecture. Lo-fi is a concious choice because you want to gain something from imperfection. That’s not to say there aren’t some skilled people making nice lo-fi buildings in favellas, but they’re the minority.

Also, another version of Lo-Fi would be Mike Reynolds – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Reynolds_(architect)

By: Jimmy Stamp

Jimmy Stamp — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:17:58 +0000

Hm. Although maybe I’ll sound like an idiot for saying this, I hadn’t thought of considering the medium and the MUSIC as separate entities. I was too caught-up in the idea of the artists intent on creating something that just sounded “lo-fi.” Hell, Beethoven could be lo-fi depending on the recording’s production quality.

So then – perhaps a form of architecture that uses whatever materials / equipment / workers / that are readily available. or even doing it yourself. I’m thinking now of the early LTL projects in New York: a chopstick-topography ceiling, a wall molded from coffee cups, etc. Often installed by the architects themselves. The end result is decidedly polished, but still a reflection of clever design in the face of severe constraints.

By: John

John — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:36:28 +0000

Great question. If the definition of lo-fi architecture follows the definition of lo-fi music, I would say it has to do with production, further stating that there’s no such thing as lo-fi music, just lo-fi recordings. We are talking about lo-fidelity, after all, which makes me think of the difference between what is input and what is output. That happens with the recording medium, not the original music.

Following from this, then would lo-fi architecture be defined by its production? I’m not thinking of slums (no architectural production, in the traditional sense) or hand-drawn production vs. CAD production. I’m thinking of room for fuzziness in the builder’s interpretation arising from the way the plans are produced. Instead of details galore, maybe we have very few details to accompany the plans and renderings that describe the design. This gives liberty to the builder and occupant, rather than giving the architect all the decision-making power.

I guess this take lies somewhere between a shanty town and the Guggenheim Bilbao. I can’t think of much architecture that follows from this description, except for maybe Teddy Cruz’s projects and Doshi’s Aranya development in India, where occupants fill in the framework the architect develops. I guess my take is a democratic decision instead of an aesthetic decision. Nevertheless this looks to be aligned with that possibility you mentioned in your post. Go figure.

By: Per Corell

Per Corell — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:07:53 +0000

What do you mean by Lo-fi , I know architcture in many respects allready build from methods way older than we realise, — they produced wonders in concrete molding even 1880, and more sofisticated than today, Eiffel the engineer who projected the EiffelTower, had factories that made fine assembly building compoments – today thry replace that with stupid standard steel profiles and standard fittings building concert Halls. So is it the clever building systems from before 1910 you value, or is it the stupid rigid lazyworks of today’s towers ?