Seduction in destruction : an analysis of Lebbeus Woods' 'paper' architecture

Abstract

"Architecture itself goes beyond the mere process of building" (Tschumi, 1996, p. 102). Architect Lebbeus Woods (1940-2012) explains, an "architect's primary concern is the built environment, the physical domain of our experiences that is tangible, material, and constructed". Nonetheless, he continues by arguing, "This fact does not mean that an architect's work will necessarily be realized in the built environment" (Woods, 2015, pp. 7-8). Such architectural work, like those of Piranesi's, Boullee's, Chernikhov's, Sant'Elia's and Archichgram's, exists outside the physical built environment and can be described as 'paper' architecture. Woods is considered (Becker, Dunlop Fletcher, & Littman, 2014) as the greatest and last of all twentieth century 'paper' architects for choosing an experimental architectural practice that is more concerned on building radical new ideas and to ask provocative questions rather than producing a road map to a finished built structure This study analyses this field of 'paper' orchitecture by predominantly looking at the theoretical and experimental work of the 'paper' Architect Lebbeus Woods in order to answer the following research questions: what is 'paper' architecture and what is its role in the production of architecture? And how did Lebbeus Woods contribute to such a field? These answers are unfolded by looking at extensive literature written by Woods, and others together with personally conducted semi-interviews and correspondence with four established architects, close friends and collaborators of Woods. These deep intellectual discussions about Woods and his work offer a different perspective on Woods' production and thoughts. Their shared personal experiences and relationships with Woods shed new light on Woods' work especially the main work discussed in this study, the Sarajevo Project conceived as a reaction to the Bosnian War (1992-1995) and forms part of Woods' publication Radical Reconstruction (1997).