The Eyes of the Skin

The Eyes of the Skin


The Eyes of The Skin: Architecture and the Sensess by Juhani Pallasma
The Eyes of the Skin by Finnish architect Juhani Pallasma is an interesting reading about the importance of including five senses in the art of shaping buildings. I've go through the article summary and review and I would like to conclude the reader as what the author mentioned; ‘What is needed most in architecture today is very thing that is most need in life - Integrity’ (Pallasma) which the quote originated from famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Architecture means to bring users’ consciousness into the space not in the central perspective, but reference, imagination, memory and integration.

The Geometry of Feeling
The meaning and feeling of a space can be sensed through the dominance of visual perception, at the same time also explored and assisted by the other senses (touch, smell, aural). I strongly agree that, architecture is not just to accommodate a person but it impacts the nature and feeling or architect in a way that the users view architecture as a whole or even effect the way they view their whole life. Which similar to his reader ‘The Geometry of Feeling’, Pallasma mentioned that architecture is no just about designing functional space, but we have to be poetic enough to create the feeling of ‘time’ which bring user’s memory within the space. I think, ‘The Geometry of Feeling’ can be achieved through ‘The Eyes of the Skin’. I would say that an architecture without the spirit is equal to a brain-death person who live for dead.

Meaning of Space through Our Eyes
Meaning of a space can only be accurately conveyed for those who have been through the experience. For examples, a small house can make the homeless feel touching and appreciate but not for those who are insatiable. That’s why my design studio projects always need us to make site analysis in order to understand better the users and genius loci of the region. Especially through observation, which I mentioned that our eyes are the core sensible perception.

However, our eyes of skin may be misleading as today’s science and technology is too advanced. In my own opinion, I am really disappointed and not encourage the design of buildings which go against its honest. Some designers or businessmen like to use those advanced artificial material which reach the same texture and visual effect, lying the user’s eyes. For example, the steel material which actually is an engineered particle board. It’s may be economic-friendly but this totally bring down the true value of a material.

In my conclusion, I would say that our eyes are strongest organ of perception in our body compared to others like skin, ear, nose etc. However, our eyes are also the weakest organ compared to others which our eyes can be easily cheated. Again, the 'Integrity' is the ker elements when we convey the message to the users’ eyes of the skin. We have to do understand the users and the context background, shaping the architectural design which shows the true perceptual experiences by its users.

reference:
Juhani Pallasma (1996). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses. Chichester: Wiley-Academy