‘Beyond Measure’ traces the etymology of the traditional Suffolk Hall house through the lens of sacred geometry and relationships of proportion.
Interrogating a seam at the heart of the development of civilisation which distinguishes the modern mindset – one based on a scientific definition of measure, and accuracy – from a pre-modern view based on sacred geometry and relationship of proportion, Lewis Mumford wrote in Technics and Civilisation that ‘Eternity ceased gradually to serve as the measure and focus of human action’ – a shift from the long-term to the short term perspective with implications on our natural environment.
To explore this shift in thinking through a tangible example, a 14th-century farmhouse in Suffolk will be used as a case study. Planned by stonemasons in 1344 using a compass and rule, we will trace the history of repair and accrued additions over time, demonstrating how historic buildings of this nature can work to occupy multiple lives, and timelines.
The talk will conclude on possibilities for reframing our conception of time, looking for possibility in the origin of human relationships to both cosmos and topos to posit an architecture that works with the underexplored temporal implication of design towards a holistic ecology.
Tickets are free (with optional donation) for members and £4 for non-members.
If you missed the live talk, but would like to watch the recording, please purchase a ticket below and a link to the recording will be sent to you.
