Fred Lynn Blob Tectonics (redo)

Digital design has led to a revolution in the type of shapes that can be created. Fred Lynn addresses the creation of the Blob. A figure type that prior to digital design and computers to help create structure would have been impossible.Prior to digital design architects were constricted to an unfortunately few number of shapes and forms. Relying on the Cartesian grid structure and the use of drawing techniques where crazy forms were hard to draw and copy, architecture relied on simple shapes placed together in a complex manner.The blob changes all this.

The blob is a monolithic structure that has a complexity that is much greater then what was producible 15 years ago. It is not always a stable object and doesn't rely on a single point for its support system.

Blobs are an unstable and nearly un-copyable objects. Their shape is unpredictable and their organization and method of creation only describable on a computer. Their form is not reliant on a grid or structural pattern but rather the requirements of the space and what is exactly needed. Blobs have no boundaries and no rules. Without the tools of digital design they would be impossible to design. Part of the no boundaries is those on the paper created by the tools of an architect.

Fred Lynn suggests that the blob is like the blobs seen in class B Hollywood horror movies. They become objects without boundaries and control. They seem to take over neighboring objects and use the for support. Since blobs have no control they can go to far, encompass to much, or become nonfunctional. Their monolithic design can grow to far, and destroy the homogeneous nature of surrounding building. Surrounding objects are critical to giving the blob definition. The strange forms of a blob may feel out of place if left to float alone without surrounding context.

Mr. Lynn also notes that the blob is fairly easy to design in comparison to its construction. Construction of a blob is a fairly new and delicate science, which needs to be individualized every single time. The blob's strange shape take dramatic lengths to make stand up. Without computers to help organize the individual designs it would be nearly impossible. Computers are a great assist in understanding the engineering and the physics behind a blob, but that in no way means blob construction is easy or more predictable then their design.

Shoei Yoh of Japan has recently run test on structure of blobs to make these strange and expressive objects a reality. His test have worked to simplify and find ways to make blobs more common. However blob construction is continually hindered by their design that promotes individuality. This is good for architectural purposes as it allows for many varied and beautiful designs, but makes construction difficult. Engineering and construction can be simplified when an architect uses predetermined lengths of material, and a strong organizational scheme, Blobs use neither of these.
In many ways blobs are an architects mythical adventure. The focus of the blob is on design and beautiful forms (sounds like a stereotypically architect). Blobs are monolithic objects in which all program is designed within, showing a massive control over the program. Blobs can have great designs, however, their construction, and economic feasibility remain major problems.
Until some method of control can be applied to blobs they will remain mythical or sporadic objects in the built landscape. Blobs will require some form of structural organizational system to become more feasible. This however could ruin the exact reasoning behind a blobs design and individuality. But without a low cost way to produce blobs, only achievable through new materials and a more organized construction method, blob's may never go main stream. This is disappointing because hundreds of blobs could be great to have colliding into each other all over a city or town.
The design and construction of blobs remain a new and exciting architectural field of architecture. Fred Lynn should be commended for shining a light on these new and futuristic designs. But blobs should be noted for their currently extreme goal of design and form over feasibility. However with digital design and the need for architectural progression the blob and its supports should be encouraged not to drop the ideas, but rather begin to apply the ideas to the real world.