In this blog post, we will examine how Deleuze’s concepts of “difference” and “becoming” relate to contemporary landscape architecture and how they transform the meaning of architecture and space, using the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) as a concrete case study.
Deleuze’s Concepts of ‘Difference’ and ‘Becoming’
While modern philosophy sought the fixed truth of objects, Deleuze emphasized ‘difference’ and ‘becoming’ to critique static identity. Modern philosophers focused on revealing the essence of objects and representing their identity, concentrating on how faithfully they could reproduce that identity. In response, Deleuze criticized the concept of representation, arguing that it subordinates the differences between objects to identity.
Deleuze affirmed the countless differences that unfold as objects enter into relationships with one another, and sought to explain the world through the principle of becoming. The “difference” he speaks of is not something derived from a static comparison of two objects, but rather a “becoming” that arises when two objects meet and intermingle.
For example, let’s consider a person (A) who is good at running and a car (B). A would naturally have developed muscles related to running by running on the ground. But what would happen if A were to repeatedly drive B for a long time instead of running? A would develop muscles for operating the brakes and accelerator instead of running muscles. Depending on the object with which A enters into a relationship, A acquires a difference from the previous A, and that difference bestows upon A a new meaning: “a person who is good at driving a car.” This is precisely “becoming.”
Deleuze’s concept of “difference” emphasizes dynamic relationships that traditional philosophy has not addressed. The claim that when two objects meet and influence each other, something new is born encompasses more possibilities and changes than static identity, providing a crucial framework for understanding the diverse changes in modern society.
Furthermore, Deleuze explains the process of creation—where objects connect and transform one another—through the concept of “folds.” Just as wrinkles form on new clothes over time, a fold is a “trace” that is constantly generated either from the object’s own intrinsic causes or through its relationship with other objects. The generated fold forms new relationships with other objects as time passes, creating new folds; thus, folds encompass temporal transformation and continuity.
Contemporary Landscape Architecture and the DDP Case
The concept of the “fold” proposed by Deleuze has influenced contemporary architects, providing significant inspiration particularly in landscape architecture. Landscape architects rejected the traditional dichotomous perspective that sought to separate the site from the building, building from building, and the interior from the exterior of a building into fixed meanings, and instead sought to understand them as a single folded surface—an integrated space generated through a repetitive process of folding and unfolding in mutual relation. Traditionally, the site and the building were perceived as passive entities unilaterally defined by humans, but in modern architecture, the site and the building themselves function as active entities that generate new meanings.
The continuous surfaces found in landscape architecture connect the site with the building’s walls and ceilings into a single flow, blurring the distinction between the site and the building and creating an integrated whole. These continuous surfaces fold and unfold like pleats to create space; such spaces possess a fluid nature and the potential to be reconfigured by chance circumstances or the unfolding of surrounding conditions. This flow naturally connects the interior and exterior of a building, blurring the distinction between them and allowing for the simultaneous presence of the gaze from the inside looking out and the gaze from the outside looking in.
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in South Korea is a prime example that clearly illustrates these characteristics of landscape architecture. The DDP’s surface consists of a continuous series of undulating curves, giving the building the appearance of enveloping the site when viewed from above. The interior spaces formed by these undulating curves are utilized as design exhibition halls and serve various purposes, such as hosting fashion events and providing interactive experience areas. The design was planned so that an existing subway station connects to the building’s underground plaza and entrance. With no clear boundary between the external park and the building, walking through the park naturally leads into the building’s interior; from there, one can move to the grassy hill on the rooftop and then exit back into the park. This composition is regarded as an example of seeking integration with existing structures.
In this way, Deleuze’s philosophy has influenced not only architecture but also various fields such as contemporary art, literature, and sociology. His concepts of “difference” and “becoming” offer a new perspective that moves beyond a static worldview to emphasize change and dynamism, helping us understand a world that is constantly emerging through diverse differences and changes rather than pursuing a fixed identity.
