Materiality and scarcity: economy of means in creative practices

Abstract

Austerity and scarcity have characterized some specific periods or deprived countries but has always been a good field for architectural experimentation, leaving many masterpieces over the course of history which emphasize that limited resources are never obstacle for artistic greatness. Nowadays, Architects, artists and designers have to be able to realize their ideas based on low-cost and low-tech concepts, and in this field their accomplishments would be significant with its functional and technological elementalism and simplicity. Hence, this paper aims to examine the key aspects and principles of an efficient architecture and creative practice, able to cope with periods of recession and optimize resources to achieve higher quality with less cost and providing innovative solutions in aspects such as materials, efficiency and sustainability, not to mention the dynamic and aesthetic symbolic element of the best architectural works, or its intrinsic vocation of social service. Creative practices and research allow exploring both the possibilities of scarcity and materiality on its means, as shown by pioneering works, student works and contemporary experiences.