thoughts about architecture...

what is a membrane? ok... first passes at the word conjure up images of thin, transparent sheets, flexible, elastic. the transparency varies of course. ok here's what i got from wikipedia.

A membrane is a thin, typically planar structure or material that separates two environments. Because it sits between environments or phases and has a finite volume, it can be referred to as an interphase rather than an interface. Membranes selectively control mass transport between the phases or environments.

selectively controlling mass transport. biological membranes are generally semi permeable, letting in some molecules but not others. some components of these membranes also change the properties of things passing through.

what can architectural membranes filter? light? people? but why would there be a need for separation? maybe the membrane is two sided. discovery. translucency is a mechanism for enticement. but how do we get through? if gaps were so big that individuals could fit through, would we still recognise a membrane? unless of course the scale of the environment is proportionally increased, to a point where we can imagine ourselves to be little molecules in a giant cell. what if a membrane could give way? movable screens, flaps, could membranes be immaterial? like, what if it's a mesh of light or laser rays, that form a visual boundary but not a physical one? i'll have to test that out i suppose. of course if we think of a visual barrier, it would lead us to the other senses as well. what about a barrier of sound? white noise that increases towards a particular area, which then becomes the boundary. that boundary would then give a sense of discomfort, or disorientation, or it wouldn't be a barrier would it?

ok so what if we can't pass through... maybe the surface could be flexible or pliable, but nevertheless impenetrable. some laboratories or workshops have gloves attached to screens or panels that you can use to handle object across the barrier, but which keep you from being directly exposed to the contents beyond. could have applications in museums right? i recall that when i went to the MoMA, there were guards all over, tall, dark, suited monsters that screamed at you not to touch that chair, or that kettle, etc.. what if there was a whole gallery of touchable displays that are nevertheless sealed off from tarnishing or contamination? of course, we'd still need security cameras. can glass be considered a membrane? i don't think so. i think a membrane has to yield somehow, and not only to light and sound.

damn, so much to think about, so little time.