Arquitecturas matéricas
Authors:   , Trías de Bes Juan 
Published: October 2023

The "Material Architectures" PhD thesis is comprised of five parts: 1- An introduction to the formulation and the objective of the
PhD thesis . I.e. an interrogarion of the qualities of Matter in the configuration of Form . 2- Devoted to understanding Matter and
its involvement in the making of architecture. 3- An analysis . reflections and extraction of concepts from seven selected works
of Peter Zumthor. 4- The conclusions . 5- An epuilogue. The Ihesis is structured as follows : 1.- The first part expounds the
genesis of the interrogation. namely the interest in understanding the planning process with Matter in "oposition" to a
proliferation of "visual" architecture. The interest in Matter is focused through its participation in architectural Form . In the socalled "Material Architectures" the presence of Matter is embodied in the project's premise; a fact attributed to the momentum
of the "intellectual approach" to Matter. the main objective of the research. and which the conclusions must account for. 2.-The
second part is a preparation for the "momentum of the approach". To this end, the fields of understanding of the subject
are reviewed. This is addressed through some basic concepts. The core premises are based on acceptance of the structural
nature belween Matter and Form . On the basis of this consideration. the research explores two reference fields: Language
and Space. regarding Language. the equivalences between architectural form and linguistic propositive structures are
shown. The objective is to endorse the application of certain concepts from the field of poetic imagination and semiology.
Wlth regard to Space, some basics on the idea of "topoi". spatial patterns and systems of representation are expounded. The
aim is to introduce the terms applied in the analysis of lhe selected works . Following the exposition of the reference fields,
two blocks are devoted to Ihe Matter in question; the first one is devoted to knowledge of the matter as such, and the second
to its value throughout historical thinking. The first block is divided into four cognitive sections. Physics, Morphology,
Metaphysics and Phenomenology. The second block comprises a brief historical overview of how Matter has been
approached in the different periods of Architecture. 3.- Following the introductory chapters, the body of the research is
developed in the third parlt The seven works chosen are addressed in three blocks : The Shelters (Chur and Kolumba). The
Chapels (Saint Benedegt an Bruder Klaus) ant The Diaphragms (Luzi House. Vals an Bregenz). Strictly speaking, they have
not been grouped chronologically or thematically. but rather in such a way as to provide the possibility of extracting ideas and
concepts about the approaches . By way of a preview to illustrate these relationships, we might say that The Shelters explores
the contribution of Matter to the inauguration of a "place"; The Chapels explores the relationship between Phenomenology
and Matter. largely propitiated by the transcendence of the commision; and finally, The Diaphragms group deals with the
relations hip between Matter and its "topological potential" 4.- The fourth part contains the conclu sions of the thesis . This
phenomenon propitiates the identification of so-called "coordinates of approach to Matter" The thesis shows that, just like
when we approach a place we so so in the basis of spatio-temporal parameters, similarly, when we approach Matter
"intellectually". we do so using other calegories : Topology. Phenomenology and Physicality are revealed as the "coordinates
of approach to Matter". And consequently. as the final conclusion of the thesis and as the intended contribution to the Project
Theory.Thus, the "MATERIAL ARCHITECTURES" tille indicates architectural embodiments wich reveal the conclusions drawn
in the PhD thesis . 5.- The fifth part is an epilogue by the author of the research. Broadly speaking, this is the document's
roadmap.