Interfering in Moretti's calculations
A thesis about the impact and relation of creative interference on the mathematical equations of Luigi Moretti
T. Punte (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
D.C. Baciu – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)
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Abstract
With every second going by, another operation is automated. Even occurring in the field of architecture, mostly through parametric design, writing of computational scripts and mathematics. The latter being one of the first methodologies to be used for automating the process of designing. One of its pre-computer era pioneers, Luigi Walter Moretti (1907-1973), wrote extensively about parametric design and defined it as a new architecture that emerges through the rigorous use of mathematics, operational research and computation design. In 1960 at the Twelfth Milan Triennial Moretti presented a stadium design, which was completely constructed from mathematical equations. While Moretti advocated much for the automation and usage of mathematics, his written work on diverging from them is sparse. Even though creative interventions in a rigorous organisation are pivotal design elements. I would even argue that breaking or diverging a self-imposed set of rules, like equations, from time to time is vital for good architecture. Therefore, the rigorous methodology of Moretti can be questioned if the mathematical equations even allow these kinds of interventions and changes.
The impact and relation of creative interventions on the mathematical equations from Luigi Moretti’s Stadium are questioned, by asking the following research question; How does the outcome of the mathematical design of Luigi Moretti’s Stadium and its formulas, presented at the Twelfth Milan Triennial in 1960, respond to creative interference? The examination of Moretti’s views, methodology and football stadium entry for the 1960 Milan Triennial will be used as a point of departure within the first chapter. After the focus of the research will shift to recreating Moretti’s design for the stadium using the same mathematical methodology that he used. With which numerous creative interventions (changing variables, reformulating the equations or breaking the chain of equations) can be made at different stages of the calculation, to create differences in the outcome. The variations will be ordered and analysed as a whole. The results will be significant because they shed new light on the relationship between architectural automation and creative interference.