"Fabrica" and "Ratiocinatio". Introductory Notes on Design and Semiotics

Szentpéteri, Márton (2022) "Fabrica" and "Ratiocinatio". Introductory Notes on Design and Semiotics. DISEGNO: A DESIGNKULTÚRA FOLYÓIRATA, 6 (2). pp. 4-7. ISSN 2064-7778

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Abstract

Although Vitruvius’ De architectura libri decem is generally regarded as the most ancient remaining piece of some sort of architectural theory, it is better to think of it as a book devoted to ancient design culture mutatis mutandis. We can do this retrofitting or intended retrospective anachronism with good conscience since a book on architectura written more than two thousand years ago can hardly be described as an example of the theory of architecture, since the concept did not exist at the time. A quick look at Vitruvius’ masterpiece brings to attention, for example, that its tenth book is on architectura organica, which has naturally nothing to do with the mod-ern style and phenomena of organic architecture, but with the design and building of machines, tools, and instruments (that is, organa). Etymologically speaking, architectus (or its Greek equivalent, architektōn) means someone who designs and creates the principal structures of any designed environment. In order to do so, one applies fabrica and ratiocinatio at the very same time. On the one hand, therefore, the architectus is well versed in craf ting basic structures, but he is equally capable of inventing, imagining, or designing these environments, objects, tools, and instruments, as well as clearly explaining and instructively interpreting their structure and executing process. Hence, according to Vitruvius, a designer who strives only to manual prac-tice without written culture (sine litteris) cannot be successful at all.

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