PAGE EIGITTT

gWME MCHIGAN DAILY

SUNDAY, MARM 1,19"

PAGE ETGH'T THE MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY, MARCH 1,1957


WEEK IN REVIEW:
Pictures Capture News

ARCHITECTURAL RENAISSANCE:
Le Ricolais Experiments with Functional Structure

FRENCH PREMIER ARRIVES-Secretary of State John Foster
Dulles shakes hands with Prime Minister Guy Mollet of France at
National Airport in Washington last Monday. Secretary Dulles and
Vice-president Richard Nixon welcomed Mollet to a conference
with President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

ISRAELIS TO WITHDRAW-Boxes indicate where Israelis will
withdraw military forces. To be evacuated are the disputed Gaza
Strip and the area around the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Is-
rael said it expected United Nations forces would take over in
Gaza.

By RICHARD ASCH
For a few decades scientific re-
search has changed not only the
building materials but also the
true objectives of architecture it-
self, reports Prof. Robert Le Rico-
lais of the architecture and design
school.
Because of exhaustive investiga-
tions concerning forms and struc-
ture at present in this country, he
forsees "a terrific impact on the
art of building, towards a new
Renaissance."
Prof. Le Ricolais, visiting the
University for eight weeks, devotes
his attention to structure, a special
side of architecture. He approaches
architecture by using a mathe-
matic device based on the new
science of topology, an increasing
influence in design that deals
with advantageous spacial connec-
tions.
Abandoned Monumentality
This altogether new concept of
architecture involves geometric
consideration in its alteration of
structure. Abandoning the concept
of monumentality, it is inclined to
serve and fit; it is true to function.
In this respect Prof. Le Ricolais
agrees with Frank Lloyd Wright's
concept of organic architecture.
He feels that form involves not
only beauty, but "real meaning and
physical properties."
Therefore, he believes architec-
ture is taking new shape. No long-
er a static art, it has moved in the
dynamic direction, introducing new
problems and research. It Is archi-
tecture in which movement is con-
sidered an important factor.
At the architecture school the
Organization
Notices
Unitarian Student Group. Tri-U meet
at Michigan State, March 3, 3-6:00 p.m..
transportation from the church at 1:30
p.m.
* * *
Graduate Outing Club, hiking and
supper, March 3, 2 p.m., Rackham.
+ . *
University of Michigan Folk Dancers,
a program of basic couple dances,
March 4, 7:30-10:00 p.m., Lane Hall.
" + s
Wesleyan Guild, Henry Martin Loud
Lecture, March 3, 6:45 p.m. Wesley
Lounge. Speaker, Dr. John Thompson.
* * *
Contemporary Literature Club, meet-
ing March 4, 7:30 p.m., Union room 3-A.
Topic: Arthur Miller and "Death of
a Salesman."
* * *
Hillel Foundation, meeting of Stu-
dent Zionist Organization, March 3,
7:30 p.m., Hillel Foundation.
The Congregational and Disciples
Student Guild, March 3 7:00 p.m., Me-
morial Christian Church. Speaker: Dr.
Donald Pals, "The Meaning of the Self-
survey for University Students."
Lutheran Student Association, sup-
per followed by Esther Barnhart
speaking on Missionary Work in Japan,
March 3, 6:00 p.m., Lutheran Student
Center.
* s *
Michigan Christian Fellowship, March
3, 4:00 p.m., Lane Hall. Speaker: Dr.
Evan D. Welsh, "Can Man Know God?"
Reliable
Party
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OR SOLICITING. Route estab-
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time. Large earnings. $1995.00
required.
Please don't waste our time un-
less you have necessary capital
and are sincerely interested in
owning your own business, and
expanding to full time.
If fully qualified and able to

take over at once, write briefly
about yourself a n d include
phone number for personal in-
terview.
PARAMOUNT
MERCHANDISING
COMPANY
8000 Bonhomme Ave.,
Clayton 5, Mo.

SPACIAL CONNECTIONS -- In the drafting room at the architecture school, Prof. Le Ricolais
discusses a balsam model of the experimental space frame structure with Margit B. Beutel. Le-
Rdcolais, visiting the University for eight weeks, is acting as advisor to students working on structure.

i

62-year-old professor is acting as'
an art critic and advising superior
and graduate students who are
working on structure.
Continental Commuter
Born in La Roches Sur Ton,
Vendee, in southwest France, Prof.
Le Richolais's activities mean com-
muting between the Continent and
the United States.
Before coming to the University,
he spent two years at the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania working with
Louis Kahn on the usage of struc-
ture. Previous to this he visited
North Carolina State College and
lectured at Harvard College and
Yale University.
In France he works not as a
teacher but as a free-lance con-
sultant engineer. He serves on
committees for two architectural
journals, "L'Architecture D'Au-
jourd'hui" and "Techniques Et
Architecture."

Believing that there must be
something behind the effect of
art, the astute Gallic advocates
the need of astrong scientific
discipline in architecture.
Although there should be inter-
raction between the two disciplines,
he believes that since architecture
deals with physical force appeal to
form or esthetic relation is not
adequate.
Prof. Le Ricolais also thinks that
one's training should balance these
disciplines. His own varied career
indicates this kind of preparation.
At first he pursued art and paint-
ing activities, studying at the Sor-
bonne. Then he entered scientific
training, following an engineer's
program.
Space Frame Pioneer
He was one of the first men to
start space frame structure beford
World War II. His report appeared

in 1939 in the journal "Annales
Des Ponts Et Chaussees," pub-
lished by the first institution to
deal with structure.
Reluctant to speak about him-
self, Prof. Le Ricolais thinks that
"an indkvidual exists by relation-
ship to what is done or what exists.
When one is building something
practical actions are more valid
than theories."
\ The tall, thin professor finds no
time to endeavor in anything out-
side of architecture. "Its abomi-
nable," he laughs. ."I'm becoming
more and more specialized."
Architectural Research
According to Prof. Le Ricolais,
the spirit pervading at the archi-
tecture school is the most interest-
ing he has experienced, since the
school is directed to experimental
research. "Research is just as im-
portant in architecture as in the
scientific fields."

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STAR IN SARI-Soprano El-
eanor Steber wears a sari,
flowing garment worn by In-
dian women, as she walks in
New Delhi. She is making a
concert tour of India.

SMILES AT SUMMIT-Big Four leaders of the Arab world appear in a congenial mood at start of
their summit conference in Cairo Monday. From left, across the table, are Syria's president, Shukri
Kuwatly, Jordan's King Hussein, King Saud of Saudi Arabia, President Nasser of Egypt and Gen.
Hakim Amer, one of Nasser's chief advisors.

GOLDBAUM TESTIFIES-Hy
Goldbaum, a reputed gambler,
appeared as a witness Friday
in Washington before a Sena-
torial committee looking into
alleged racketeering in labor
and industry.

DESERT CALL - Armed Yemenite bugler signals his comrades at Harib in the southwest
Arabian kingdom where tribesmen are fighting an undeclared frontier war with Britain.

This Is Pat

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Taking a stand on the subject of TRENCH COATS
Every girl should own one ! Do YOU?
Pat is shown here leaving "her" shop
(MADEMOISELLE, of course), where she chose
this one to wear, come rain or shine.
This lightweight poplin model has a round
collar and slash pockets; brass ball buttons
give a "different" look that she loves,
The pancake hat is included for only

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19.95

Just Shaw Your

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