The Third Typology — Weiqiao Lin

Corridor / Balcony
Tall Timber
Pottery Museum
ZeroWaste Center
Inside Out

Circular Urbanism The Treachery of Matter

The Third Typology

The Third TypologyArchitectural Imagery of Vernacular Thematization

Advisor: Nicole Mclntosh
Location: New Glarus, WI
Syracuse University School of Architecture, 2017 Fall

“In the third typology, columns, houses, and urban spaces, while linked in an unbreakable chain of continuity, refer only to their own nature as architectural elements, and their geometries are neither scientific nor technical but essentially architectural.”

- Anthony Vidler, The Third Typology

Introduction

The seminar focuses on the elements of architecture that create the character of a place and its culture. In the age of mass communication and Disneyization, many places in America exhibit qualities and characteristics that follow European cultural themes. For instance, a village named New Glarus in Wisconsin was constructed by immigrants with imagery from Switzerland that collided with the local construction type. Developed from this cultural background, the initial research questions the translation of the cultural image in Swiss-themed building codes.

Along with the analysis of the image of House Ott in New Glarus, the final project is developed based on the reflection of "the third typology" that Anthony Vidler proposed in his article in Oppositions in 1977. Based on the local facade typology, the project explores ways of creating an architectural identity by creating an association with the built environment. By applying different formal manipulations, facade elements from House Ott have been reassembled to form new compositions in the spirit of the existing building.

Haus Ott

History of Themed Towns

Towns of European immigrants are spread across the American landscape, such as Frankenmuth, Michigan (Germany); Solvang, California (Denmark); New Glarus, Wisconsin (Switzerland), etc. The constructions of architecture in these towns are usually guided by the imagery of historical forms of their corresponding culture.

New Glarus, Wisconsin | Haus Ott

Among all the European immigrant towns in the United States, architecture in New Glarus was chosen as the subject in this research. The town was founded by Swiss settlers in 1845. In the mid-20th century, the main façades of the commercial buildings in New Glarus were modified under swiss-themed to attract visitors; and today, the swiss-look appearance is regulated by the village’s building codes, 7 picture books, and a collection of 41 photographs and postcards. The designs of the buildings rely on 7 picture books that depict traditional chalet styles of Switzerland.

Elevations of Haus Ott (Main Facade vs Side Facade)

Main Façade (Swiss) VS Side Façade (American)

In the example of Haus Ott, the architectural elements of the main façade constituted an attractive Swiss appearance for visitors. These elements describe the imagery of Swiss Chalet style while the side façade remains as the look of the ordinary American house.

Casagami: Simulation
Folding House

To transform reality to Casagami, one needs to flatten the image and reduce the scale. This process of transformation is a form of simulation rather than duplication. This practice aims to understand the elements and their connotation.

Figure of Rhetorical Part: Reassemblage

The new appearance is generated by reassembling the façade elements from Haus Ott. The items refer to their nature as architectural elements, not their cultural and historical implications. After all, the existing architecture fragments are taken and reassembled to create a new façade look in the spirit of the existing building.

Model of Rhetorical Part

Facade Reassemblage (1/3)

Facade Reassemblage (2/3)

Facade Reassemblage (3/3)