R. Buckminster Fuller 4D architectural sketches 巴克敏斯特・富勒的「4D塔 」草圖
This fonds consists of ten sketches relating to 4D housing project by R. Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983). Fuller was an American architect developing numerous inventions to provide a better quality of housing.
Fuller proposed the 4D housing project with setting up a 4D Company in Chicago in 1927. He published a book 4D Time Lock, outlining the conceptual ideas for the new style of housing system in mimeographed form in 1927. The ideas based on the fourth dimension, which is time, developed industry in a more efficient way. It focused on the material performance and prefabricated technology. Fuller equated time-saving industries with material savings by claiming that when time was saved by more efficient construction process, all material products of industry must necessarily become lighter. The new system aimed at meeting the needs of a growing population in a more ecological and economic way.
The 4D tower house was designed to prove his point. It was a mass-produced house with standard, light, mobile, and energy-efficient units. The multi-deck building with a factory-installed central mast made it ready for instant use. Using aluminium as the major construction materials, it was supposed to be cheaper and lighter which would be delivered into place by zeppelins. Once delivered, the tower would generate its own power, light, and heat with sewage disposal system. The self-sufficient system minimised the use of energy and materials and maximised human benefits.
This collection of sketches was taken from an unbound copy of the book 4D Time Lock and shows the overview of 4D concept and examples of 4D tower houses. These prints were drawn and mimeographed by Fuller personally at a printer’s shop on Michigan Avenue in Chicago in 1927.
These ten sketches were kept by Fuller and acquired by Carl Solway gallery later. M Plus Museum purchased the collection in 2019.
Related materials can be found in Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, Art Institute of Chicago, SFMoMA, Harvard Art Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Arranged by the order of the original drawing number, and by subject matter for items without drawing number.
Related materials are located in Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, Art Institute of Chicago, SFMoMA, Harvard Art Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Fuller proposed the 4D housing project with setting up a 4D Company in Chicago in 1927. He published a book 4D Time Lock, outlining the conceptual ideas for the new style of housing system in mimeographed form in 1927. The ideas based on the fourth dimension, which is time, developed industry in a more efficient way. It focused on the material performance and prefabricated technology. Fuller equated time-saving industries with material savings by claiming that when time was saved by more efficient construction process, all material products of industry must necessarily become lighter. The new system aimed at meeting the needs of a growing population in a more ecological and economic way.
The 4D tower house was designed to prove his point. It was a mass-produced house with standard, light, mobile, and energy-efficient units. The multi-deck building with a factory-installed central mast made it ready for instant use. Using aluminium as the major construction materials, it was supposed to be cheaper and lighter which would be delivered into place by zeppelins. Once delivered, the tower would generate its own power, light, and heat with sewage disposal system. The self-sufficient system minimised the use of energy and materials and maximised human benefits.
This collection of sketches was taken from an unbound copy of the book 4D Time Lock and shows the overview of 4D concept and examples of 4D tower houses. These prints were drawn and mimeographed by Fuller personally at a printer’s shop on Michigan Avenue in Chicago in 1927.
These ten sketches were kept by Fuller and acquired by Carl Solway gallery later. M Plus Museum purchased the collection in 2019.
Related materials can be found in Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, Art Institute of Chicago, SFMoMA, Harvard Art Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
Arranged by the order of the original drawing number, and by subject matter for items without drawing number.
Related materials are located in Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA, Art Institute of Chicago, SFMoMA, Harvard Art Museum, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
The R. Buckminster Fuller archive includes Architectural Drawing.
Details
Object Number
CA55
Archive Creator
Archival Level
Fonds
Date
1927
Object Count
10 items
Credit Line
M+, Hong Kong
