Fictional Constructs’ is an architectural film set in Kraftwerk, Berlin. Kraftwerk is located in the centre of Berlin – a former industrial power station, built approximately at the same time of the Berlin Wall between 1960-64. The project establishes a fictional film of ‘Mediaspree’ (area in Berlin) where it integrates an urban film studio while regenerating various disused buildings. The design proposes a new open film set/public space that constantly evolves, grows and performs, acts and expands, merging the boundaries between the everyday and the iconic, the real city and its representation in film. The ending of the film reveals the true scale of the cinematic construct. The film uses several key techniques such as anamorphism (distortion of projection to augment perception of scale), kinetics animation (moving / growing parts), slow motion and experience of vertigo in order to reveal a cinematic architecture.
Through studies into the use of narratives in design, augmented and hyper-real spaces the project proposes a new architectural vocabulary – appropriating cinematography techniques such as the cut, frame and montage. In order to decode and understand spatial representation, the research refers to the taxonomy of cinematic images as described by the French philosopher Gilles Deleuze and explores the Semperian-like use of montage as a compositional generative architectural tectonic device, through a Baudrillardian hyper-real fantasy world.
The overall research explores the use of digital modes of representation in architecture and design and questions whether the appropriation of filmic techniques in architecture is relevant today in digital prototyping/ architectural design. The project could be perceived as a generative design tool for establishing new spatial constructs and validating those tactile digital experiences as leading to or useful in creating architecture.
Design
Kairo Baden-Powell is an architectural designer, based in London. He graduated with a First Class Honours at Nottingham Trent University (RIBA Part 1) and a Distinction, MArch Architecture (RIBA Part 2) at The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Kairo has worked on a range of architecture projects in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Italy. His research and design pursuits exist in the tension between representation and the fabrication of Architecture. He is interested in digital prototyping and the potential of fabricating buildings to the same level of precision found in the aviation industry. His fascination in the potential of film, 4D simulation & hyper-real spatial imagery explored in the film industry cross pollinates into the representation of his architectural concepts.
Tutors at Bartlett
Simon Kennedy, Dr Penelope Haralambidou, Michael Tite.
