ABSTRACT
In Chapter 5, the author examines the catalog of full-scale mock-ups built during construction of the Cité de L’Océan et du Surf Museum, Biarritz, France. Many mock-ups were constructed on-site, allowing decisions to be made at full scale, which were not possible at the small scale of the representational matter. The role of mock-ups in Steven Holl’s practice and approach to architecture are elaborated in this chapter by highlighting several other full-scale mock-ups from other projects. The author attempts to establish a link between the construction of full-scale mock-ups as an interactive process of design and construction and Steven Holl’s interactive process of sketching with watercolors. In both cases the process pushes back, creating negotiated forms and procedures which result in the unique architecture of Steven Holl Architects.
