Abstract
There has been preconceived assumption that, in good architecture, exterior and interior have to be harmoniously related to each other. However, in contemporary architecture, it is easy to witness that this harmonious relationship between exterior and intoner is severely challenged and various exterior surfaces have multi-faceted roles. Rem Koolhaas explained this sort of new situation in the light of 'lobotomy' that is a surgical method for mental disorders, based on the high-rise buildings in the early Manhattan. This study is started with the Rem Koolhaas' lobotomy concept and how this concept is applied to his projects. The multiple roles of exterior surface can be also found in many contemporary architects' projects. Among them, Jacques Herzog & Pierre do Neuron and Toyo Ito's recent projects are discussed to further analyze the new roles of surface and compared with Rem Koolhaas' case. Although the architects discussed present very limited scope of what is happening on the surface of comtemporary architecture, it is hoped to disclose some examples of new relationship between exterior and interior.