Informal (Architecture) by Cecil Balmond

by Cecil Balmond

Now available in paperback for the first time, Informal offers a comprehensive account of Cecil Balmond's innovative approach to architecture and engineering.

Balmond is one of the most important structural engineers working in architecture today. His structural thinking differs from that of other engineers in his field in its completely new conception of the engineer's contribution to architecture. The plasticity of architectural plans is enhanced through a decisive development of their structural designs. The borderline between structure and architecture thus becomes increasingly blurred. This process is explained in detail in Informal by reference to eight exemplary projects. Balmond elucidates the theoretical basis of his engineering solutions and his sketches transcend purely technical illustration--they are the key to his approach. Informal invites readers to rethink their understanding of the relationship between architecture and engineering.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informal here simply means asking “Why do a simple structural grid when forces resulting from hybrid uses, zoning, intentions, etc. aren’t so clear cut? That’s so 1954…” Having had the good fortune of spending the better part of a day with Balmond once, I would offer that he’s perhaps one of the few people whose prodigious pomposity is somewhat justified.

The solutions shown here and in many other projects have a certain brilliance and definitely shy away from anything reeking of normalcy. The approaches or points of departures vary wildly for each project with seemingly little overlap. Of course these are all well-funded signature designs so what Balmond sells as structurally appropriate - even inevitable - for any given set of conditions are fundamentally just as forced as overlaying a Cartesian system on an enigmatic program and much more costly to boot, excepting perhaps the larger scaled projects like Congrexpo. Really many of these projects simply replace a recognizable approach to structure (grids and whatnot) with different systems of his/their own devising (nested, rotated triangles and whatnot). I suppose the Bordeaux House is one exception to this - maybe the Arnhem Exchange as well - and all of these are pretty great in conception and execution as the case may be (I understand the exposed Bordeaux beam and it’s connections have become an issue, but why split hairs). Balmond would argue, of course, that these aren’t forced systems but, like lung arteries, tree branches, rivulets and the like, the “commands” follow the paths of least resistance and, therefore, are logical though certainly deeply studied outcomes. Maybe. He does talk about “backing into a system” and fully acknowledges that aesthetic intent often conflicts with a particular methodological rigor with these commands so it’s all relative I suppose.

Generally this is mostly well written and comprehensible to those like me with a meager engagement with algorithms and “Cytosine with Guanine.” The last chapter outlining “templates” is a bit more cryptic with sundry matrices and DNA correlations - in retrospect probably shouldn’t have even bothered trying to read it. Overall, though, a good book if not necessarily a page-turner.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

dont try to do anything architecturally new with out cecil on your side
he knows whats up

[Kezia Paramita]

make me want to learn about structure... think informalities, break the habit. outta from the "lectures" box.

but the plot is rather confused. make me read some sentences twice

[Jay Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would gladly rate it with five starts if not Cecil Balmond's strange way of writing full of unnecessary mystique, self -glorification and useless drivel about 'hidden' meaning behind his structural solutions...Otherwise there are some interesting stories behind structural design of famous buildings he participated.

[Leandro Llorente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecil is an artist of structure which are visually pleasing. I loved the documentation on House in Bordeaux where they captured the original/ unbuilt idea.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

...an excellent discussion on the vitality of nested structures, their layering at various scales, and their simultaneity...exploring the "anti-grid" and the freedom of space.