Rhetorical Analysis

After reading these articles in Architectural Record, I have begun to realize that they contain a repetitive structure and they were created for a specific group of people.

Linton's Framework for Analyzing Disciplinary Genres sets up what is expected (yet unique) in each diciplines articles. These architectural articles all contain similar rhetorical strategies. In the convention of refrence, I noticed that the articles mostly contain quotes from the architects and designers or other experts on the job, yet when they are elaborating on the structural design, there are less quotes, and more facts. In terms of the convention of language, there is not really any disagreement while talking about the building, only questioning if a building was built correctly or for the right reasons- most of the language was that of conviction. The conventions of structure seems less concrete within these articles as the topics do vary, but there are pieces based on Swales Genre model which are seen in all of the articles.

Swale's genre model talks mostly about the convention of structure within each article. Within move 1, establishing a territory, each article claims centrality and makes topic generalizations, but there is not a whole lot of reviewing previous research as most of these buildings were one of a kind. In move two, establishing a niche, a lot of the articles talked about continuing a tradition, talking about why buildings were build the way they were to reflect the surrounding area or ideas of the time. Finally, within move 3, occupying a niche, each article outlines the purpose buildings among other things.

Looking at these rhetorical structural elements in this journal, I have come to the conclusion that there is not a definate epistemology of the genre. While they are targeting architects, architects jobs can be seen as in the humanities and in the sciences.
For instance, there is no real right or wrong answer to the aesthetical design of a building. There is no truth to design, it is what an architect wants it to be, which would be pegged as a humanities epistemology.
On the other hand, the science epistemology comes into play when talking about the structural integrity of a building. There is an order and rules to follow.

These articles were designed to be read by people who can combine objective and subjective material into one. They need to be able to be creative while following rules at the same time. This is the job of an architect, so the idea that the articles follow this is very appropriate.

Zaha Hadid's Maxxi

It seems that there are a lot of designs these days which deal with building in environments which are previously historical. In 1999 when Zaha Hadid submitted a design for a design competition for a museum in Rome, there was no buildings of the sort in the surrounding area or even the city. Hadid's design showed how her extremely post-modern style fit into Rome's historical landscape. While at first glance the design seems very modern and alien from its surroundings, it actually brings in more aspects of the city than one might think.

First, it design is very flowing and riverlike which mimics a nearby river. Second, the grid layout of the building correspond to the city's grids. Finally, the building is only three stories tall to match the surroundings.

In addition to these three building features, the building is extremely open to the outside as almost every ceiling is glass- a very good lighting feature in a museum.

I love that architects are creating buildings which are unique to the surroundings yet still incorportate certain aspects that contain the area's footprint.

-"Maxxi" Architectural Record