The role of technological culture in the theoretical dichotomy between technique and form

Abstract

The technological culture explains the relationship between form and technique on the basis of a concrete and existential dimension. «The existential dimension “truth” becomes manifest in history, but its meaning transcend the historical situation. In general the concretization of the existential dimension depends on how things are made, that is, it depends on form and technology» (Schulz, 1979). In this perspective the essay explores theories and praxis of technological culture on the relationship between form and material, and between architecture and technique starting from the concept of technology: from the historical evolution of techniques and building systems to the value of innovation, probing material social and ideological issues that alternate in modern and contemporary process.