EIGHT. two hundred word review

REVIEW. Encoding Digital & Analogue Taxonavigation 
               by Liat Margolis
Its opening paragraph decorated with seductive images of exciting, new materials, Liat Margolis' extract, Encoding Digital & Analogue Taxonavigation, fascinates us about an era where materials used in architectural applications are explored, questioned and pushed passed their limits, conceiving an architecture that is ambiguous but exciting.
Arguing against the traditional system of classifying materials, Construction Specification Institute (CSI), Margolis highlights the limitations posed by organising materials according to pre-conceived use. Conveying regret and disappointment, she describes the stagnation and missed opportunity brought about by the 'hierarchical and linear information structure' that inhibits 'unexpected solutions,' as it focuses on tested and accepted practices.
Contrastingly, Margolis evokes progression and energy when referring to the current system of classifying materials i.e. according to composition. Material libraries such as Material ConneXion Inc. are constantly evolving and morphing, allowing for innovation and creativity through the exploration of applying materials to otherwise unconventional uses, paving the way for the development of new materials. While this type of application process gives rise to difficulties in identifying the characteristics of new materials and relating them to traditional materials, Margolis encourages us to embrace this ambiguity, as it is the key to innovation. An overall picture of harmony is painted as disciplines including, but not limited to, architecture, fashion, biology and engineering are linked and cross-over in a creative, advancing environment.


REFERENCES. Margolis, L 2010, 'Encoding digital & analogue taxonavigation', in T Schropfer Material design: informing architecture by materiality, Birkhauser Architecture, pp. 148-163.

FIVE. peer review

power

Leeching off the efforts and energy of the insignificant individual, the machine becomes stronger and gains greater power, exploiting and imposing authority upon the masses

Still Power is a Problem, Fashionclutch, viewed 1 August 2011, http://fashionclutch.blogspot.com/2011/04/still-power-is-problem.html

Brazil's Homegrown PCs, cnet News, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://news.cnet.com/2300-1041_3-6237522-4.html>

ignorant

Deluded by profit gain and power, the machine ignores the intricate needs of the individual and is therefore unreadable by the individual

Buckland, From the Road, 2008, Bicheno Daily, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://bichenodaily.com/2008/06/20/fog/> 

Kirsty Pargeter, Jigsaw Puzzle with Missing Pieces, 123RF, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://www.123rf.com/photo_3628125_jigsaw-puzzle-with-missing-pieces.html>

directive

With objectives to control and emanate its authoritym the machine is directive and fails to consider issues other than its own

 James Barber, 2010, Green Directional Light, Cutcaster, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://cutcaster.com/print/100398861-Green-directional-light/>

Johner RF, Shopping Trolley in Motion, Glowimages, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://www.glowimages.com/search/POV%C2%A0shot.html>

overwhelm

Completely disconnected from natural human instincts including emotion, the machine is highly overwhelming

 Glare, Rescol, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://www.michellehenry.fr/lights2.htm>

GlacedEye Media, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://www.accesscontrolledsecurity.com/>

proportion

Following a systematic order, the machine is built following principles of proportion. However, built according to its own needs, it is built to an overwhelming, inhumane scale

 Fashion Off White Modern Babushka Dolls, Matryoshka Dolls, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://matryoshkastore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2368>

Geometric Progression, Nexus Network Journal, viewed 1 August 2011, <http://www.emis.de/journals/NNJ/reviews_v4n1-Sharp.html>