Form Function in Architecture: Volume II

by R. Thomas Hille

Overview

Form Function in Architecture, by architect R. Thomas Hille, is a CD-ROM series dedicated to the study and understanding of architectural form and, especially, the relationship between formal organization and content. The first two volumes in the Form Function series offer an interactive architectural tour of six masterpieces of modern architecture by influential twentieth-century architects. Form Function allows the user to interact with richly detailed color photographs of significant views and features of each building; diagrammatic overlays that point out key elements in the photograph; and text that conveys descriptive and analytical information. Each building presentation also includes a series of "planimations"—graphical summaries of the plan generation of the buildings—and background information on the building and its architect. The CD-ROMs in the series will be of interest to architects, students of design, and a general audience interested in contemporary architecture and design.

System Requirements

Windows: 
386 processor with 4 MB RAM
Windows 3.1
256-color display at 640 x 480
Double-speed CD-ROM drive

Macintosh:
68020 processor with 4 MB RAM
System 7.0
256-color display at 640 x 480
Double-speed CD-ROM drive

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780472002573
Publisher:	University of Michigan Press
Publication date:	12/23/1998
Series:	CDROMS
Edition description:	CD-ROM
Product dimensions:	(w) x (h) x 1.00(d)

Editorial Reviews

This two-disc set by architect R. Thomas Hille is an attempt to explain the relationship between form and function in architecture by looking at specific buildings. Case studies of the work of six luminaries of modern architecture are examined, among them Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, and Louis Kahn. The presentation on each work is in-depth, illustrated by vivid and appropriate color photographs supporting the author's thesis. Each study includes plans and elevations as well as a "planimation," or overview, of the building's form and functions presented in basic geometric shapes. There is good background information and insight into the architect's intention. Unfortunately, the technology used to present these ideas is dated. This product is essentially a slide show with a generous amount of text to read on screen. There is no sound or animation and no automatic advance through the studies. The cases involve over 40 screen shots, and all that individual mouse clicking makes for tired fingers. The menu system used to navigate, while stylish, is confusing. There is no index or keyword search ability, nor can you print any of the text or photographs. Most disappointing is the primitive way this product performs on Windows platform computers. You must manually set the display to 640 x 800 resolution and 256 colors or the program will not start (automatic on a Macintosh). Simply running the program in Windows is difficult. You must enter Windows Explorer and find the correct folder and double-click an .EXE file to start the introduction or any of the six individual case studies. While it is easier to start on a Mac, this sort of unnecessary manipulation, coupled with the drudgery of reading lengthy narratives on screen while continually clicking a mouse, makes for a trying interactive experience. This product would have been much more enjoyable, and informative, if it had some narration and allowed the user the ability to advance automatically through the case studies. The Bottom Line: This is a lecture and slide show in "disc's clothing." It is not a standard reference tool, nor would it be something you'd keep on a reference workstation or as a networked resource. Of interest to libraries with solid architecture emphases and circulating CD-ROM collections, or to armchair architects, but overall this product does not function well in this form.--Scott Kehoe, Frances Loeb Lib./Graduate Sch. of Design, Harvard Univ. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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