Space Design and the Lessons of Experimental Architecture

Ever since Buckminster Fuller's futuristic design for US pavilion at Expo 67, the field of space design has showed itself as a noticeable domain in the field of architectural research and practice. The domain of space design has been concerned with practical issues such as mission planning, ergonomics, conceptualization of structures, orbital assembly processes (Astrotectonics), as well as the design of habitats to optimize human safety, comfort, adaptation, and productivity. On the other hand, there has been a growing interest in a related domain of architecture research; namely "Experimental Architecture". Experimental architecture promotes a type of experimentation that deals with the concept and perception of architecture itself. It operates outside the well-established rules and classifications of mere "problem-solving" architectural design activity. This domain is less concerned with the constraints of engineering and nature than in evoking a mood and opening new possibilities about what it means to inhabit a space. Experimental architecture is grounded in real-world conditions at the same time it pushes far beyond the boundaries of conventional architecture. This paper discusses a simple lesson learned from experimental architecture and suggests that experimental architecture makes powerful statements about the role and function of the new spaces that architects and engineers will design in the future. Many lessons from experimental architecture can be applied to address important planning and design challenges of space design. A brief history, development, theoretical backgrounds as well as examples of experimental architecture are presented here.