OASE91

Following his experiences of a lengthy stay at the Taliesin West Complex in the Sonora Desert in Arizona, Juhani Pallsamaa investigates aspects of atmosphere in the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. An atmospheric space engages all our senses, invites us to participate in space, states Pallasmaa. Architecture does that in a absolute manner and therefore atmosphere can be understood as the most comprehensive architectural value. In turn, the human sensitivity to atmosphere very well can be seen as his sixth sense: he measures space unintentionally and unaware. For Wright, atmosphere meant the embedding of human life in landscape and space. His architecture, and specifically the materiality of his architecture, offers structure, support and inti- macy to daily life. His qualities as a designer are what enabled him to unite these three aspects, life, material and landscape. Or better said: his ability to orchestrate these three aspects.