Basic Design

Book & DVD. Text in English & German. Friedrich Christoph Wagner spent the years between 1965 and 2002 with few interruptions lecturing students of architecture on the basics of design. In this book he spreads out a summation of his teachings. Thereby he presents an insight into his working methods, a definition of the position of the basics of design, a practical didactic system for creativity, perception and aesthetics as well as a large number of examples of his students' work. A first block about creative training is followed by a broad selection of sculptural themes by means of study pieces based upon "body space" and "the logic of the form". Then the author is moving along with studies of the phenomenon of space with its basic topological and geometrical patterns as well as the primal images and primal acts in architecture. This is followed by a discussion of the surface and of surface structures as well as of the line, with the concomitant topics of sequences and proportions. Under 'Elements of architecture' the author presents students' projects and findings, with an emphasis on proxemics, locations, situations, the ways in which people behave and the corresponding forms in architecture. In connection with this, a number of excursions were undertaken to the island of Sifnos in the Cyclades, where students assisted in making measurements and conducting research at the Kato Petali site. The book contains a DVD with sound samples and films concerned with 'space and light'.