Blobitecture - Blob Architecture

Blobitecture, also called "blob architecture" orStratocaster electric guitar, made famous by Jimi
"blobism", refers to modern buildings with anHendrix. Unlike the Guggenheim, the Experience Music
amorphous, blob-like shape. "Blobitecture" is a termProject also incorporates more colors into its exterior
actually coined by New York Times Magazine writerdesign, though its metal reflects as much light as the
William Safire, who used it to sardonically describe theGuggenheim.
sudden rise of amoeba-like buildings. Contrary to hisOther cities have recognizable examples of
intention, architects happily adopted "blobitecture" toblobitecture. England contains blob structures not only
describe a new and exciting architectural movement.in London, but in other cities. For instance, the
Blobitecture is a dynamic form of architecture stillnortheastern city of Gateshead has the Sage
widely in use today. Blobitecture is unlike any otherGateshead building, which was designed by the
architectural form because it completely originatesFoster and Partners architectural firm. This building is a
from computer-aided design (CAD). In softwareperforming-arts center and musical institution. This
architect jobs, architects use CAD to manipulatestructure has a caterpillar-like shape, made up of
buildings' outlines to virtually any shape. While they domultiple spheres that contract and dilate as the
this, the software automatically calculatesbuilding progresses. Its materials include glass and
mathematical equations that instill structuralstainless steel, allowing it to shimmer from capturing
soundness into the design. Before CAD'sall angles of sunlight. Its free-flowing shape may be
development, architects adhered to mainstreamsaid to reflect this institution's philosophy that all
geographical shapes since they were confident ofmusical genres are equal.
these shapes' structural stability. Now, thanks to CADBerlin, furthermore, has another "form follows
software, a building's shape has boundless possibilities.function" blobitectural structure. This structure is the
Today, most architects implement blob architecturePhilological Library, designed by English architect
for glass-and-steel structures. Rarely is it used forNorman Foster. Opened in 2005, the Library is part of
private residential homes, because the glass and steelthe Free University of Berlin campus. In keeping with
materials makes "blob buildings" fairly transparent.the university's intellectual purpose, the Library
Rather, it is much more frequently used for touristresembles a human brain. Like many other
attractions, such as museums, theatres, and concertblobitecture buildings, its principal components are
halls. It is also increasingly used for scientific buildings,steel and glass.
such as geodesic domes used for weatherArchitects today rely on numerous CAD software
observatories and greenhouses. Lastly, a greaterprograms to construct blob architecture. Contrary to
number of commercial buildings are blob structures,its appearance, many mathematical calculations go
such as London's City Hall and the Future Systemsinto 'blobitecture' designs. Most CAD programs, such
architectural firm.as AutoCAD, permit the user to create a basic
Blobitecture arose during the 1990s when CADthree-dimensional "sketch" and manipulate those lines
systems were first being developed for architectsin numerous directions. Blob architecture arises when
and interior designers. In 1993, the first blobitecturethe user makes those lines "wavy" and irregular, and
building was erected: the Water Pavilion in the"inflates" the building design. In the later stages of the
Netherlands, which was completely designed in CAD.structure's design, architects can use CAD to specify
Other large-scale projects followed in rapidthe building materials and interior components of the
succession, the most well-known of which is likely theproject.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. This museum, located inAs a measure of blobitecture's popularity,
Bilbao, Spain, was designed by renownedarchitectural students may now take college courses
Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. Opened toin blobitecture. There are also online courses featuring
the public in 1997, it consists of various concave andblobitectural study. Many architects who concentrate
convex curves. Since it is located on a port, it glasson urban-planning architecture decide to learn about
and titanium curves reflect the light from both theblobitecture, since blobitecture is mainly prevalent in
sky and water. Moreover, its curved silhouettemetropolitan areas. Furthermore, many CAD courses,
resembles that of a ship. This modern-art museumoffered both online and on-site at educational
strongly contributes to making Bilbao a Spanish touristinstitutions, permit architects to gain hands-on
attraction.practice with blobitectural design.
The United States has its own 'blobitecture' buildings.As more architects break away from established
Seattle has the Experience Music Project museum,geometrical forms, blobism will likely become part of
another Gehry-designed building, opened in 2000. Likemore international cityscapes. CAD will generate
the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, this museum consistsinfinite forms of blobitecture in both exterior and
of seemingly random curves made up of sheet-metal.interior design. Many ambitious architects are
The building's undulations give it a fluid silhouette,exploiting blobism to push architecture to its
perhaps as a tribute to the museum's musical exhibits.outermost limits. In addition, many entry level
While the Guggenheim museum's shape reflects itsarchitect jobs demand CAD experience; so many
port vicinity, the Project's shape can be summarizedarchitectural students are choosing to use
as "form follows function."In fact, Gehry directlyblobitecture to gain fluency in CAD.
attributed the building's shape to that of a smashed