Materialität ist ein zentrales und stetiges Thema der Architektur. Dieses Buch erklärt, wie Materialien zu Stoffen unserer Kultur werden. Stoffwechsel verfolgt so die Metamorphosen zwischen Natur und Technik, Wissenschaft und Sinnlichkeit. Das Konzept des Stoffwechsels wurde von Gottfried Semper (1803–1879) zum wesentlichen Element seiner Theorie erhoben. Er bezeichnete damit das Phänomen, dass Strukturformen, die ursprünglich mit der Bearbeitungstechnik eines Materials verbunden waren, von ihrer konstruktiven Aufgabe entlastet als Ornamente in andere Stoffe übertragen werden. Das Thema wird erstmals aus historischer Sicht wie im Spiegel aktueller, transdisziplinärer Erkenntnisse dargestellt. Beispiele von Aalto bis Zumthor illustrieren die Aspekte einstiger und heutiger Materialkonzepte.

Materiality is a recurring and central issue in architecture. This book explains how materials are "constructed", how they become cultural substances. Metamorphism investigates the complex relationship between natural materials and technology, science and sensuality. Gottfried Semper (1803–1879) made the notion of Stoffwechsel the key element of his theory. With this concept he intended to explain how a structural form originally bound to a method of processing is transferred from one material to another, liberated from its original function. For the first time, the book investigates the subject from a historic point of view whilst reflecting on current interdisciplinary research. Examples from Aalto to Zumthor illustrate the specific aspects of historic and contemporary material concepts.

"Ein grossartiges Buch [...]" Christoph Wieser in: werk, bauen + wohnen 7 / 8 — 2018, 44-45

Materialverwandlung in der Architektur

Stoffwechsel

Metabolism: Transforming Materials in Architecture

{language=eng, content=Metabolism: Transforming Materials in Architecture}

<UL>
<LI>Materialität als Thema einer systematischen Architektur-Betrachtung </LI>
<LI>Analysen gebauter Beispiele illustrieren historische und aktuelle Ansätze </LI>
<LI>Erläuterung der Semperschen Theorie des Stoffwechsels als Denkmodell der Architektur </LI></UL>

<UL>
<LI>Materiality as a subject of systematic architectural critique </LI>
<LI>Analyses of built examples illustrate historical and contemporary approaches </LI>
<LI>Explanation of Semper’s theory of metabolic processes as a theoretical model for architecture </LI></UL>

Prof.em Ákos Moravánszky, Lehrstuhl für Architekturtheorie und Geschichte, ETH Zürich

Constructing material Materiality is a recurring and central issue in architecture. This book explains how materials are "constructed", how they become cultural substances. Metamorphism investigates the complex relationship between natural materials and technology, science and sensuality.  Gottfried Semper (1803–1879) made the notion of Stoffwechsel the key element of his theory. With this concept he intended to explain how a structural form originally bound to a method of processing is transferred from one material to another, liberated from its original function.  For the first time, the book investigates the subject from a historic point of view whilst reflecting on current interdisciplinary research. Examples from Aalto to Zumthor illustrate the specific aspects of historic and contemporary material concepts. 
Materiality as a subject of systematic architectural critique 
Analyses of built examples illustrate historical and contemporary approaches 
Explanation of Semper’s theory of metabolic processes as a theoretical model for architecture 

Constructing material Materiality is a recurring and central issue in architecture. This book explains how materials are "constructed", how 