NANO MATERIALS AS A MECHANISM FOR ACHIEVING CONTEXTUALISM IN ARCHITECTURE

Abstract

Contextuality is one of the concepts that emerged in the post-modern era and became associated with it as a design strategy. Its purpose is to generate context as a relationship between elements drawn from memory and stored (heritage). Context has both physical and intellectual dimensions in architecture, serving as the language of intellectual and material dialogue between the building and its surroundings. Among its principles are harmony and suitability with the environment, whether through the general form, the materials used in construction and decoration, or through the underlying architectural concept and its alignment with the region's customs and traditions. The absence of context leads to an architectural identity crisis and consequently results in randomness. This is why the research problem revolves around the lack of conceptual clarity regarding the possibility of achieving context in local architecture through the use of nanomaterials to create contemporary architecture. The research aims to elucidate the knowledge about nanomaterials and their potential in achieving contextualism through two direct (as a primary material) and indirect (as a secondary material enabling traditional materials) approaches. Additionally, it examines the environmental context brought about by nanomaterials (harmony with the environment). This is based on the assumption that nanomaterials can be used to enable traditional materials to achieve architectural context for the city. The research employs an analytical and deductive methodology to elucidate knowledge about nanomaterials and their manifestations in architectural production. It derives their influential role in shaping the architectural output by interpreting a set of their properties and characteristics and analyzing a group of buildings where nanomaterials were used. The research concludes that nanomaterials have a direct impact on the final appearance in terms of color, texture, and, hence, the architect must thoroughly study the materials and select the most suitable ones for the region to achieve contextualism.