HA213 Section 4

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Buildings as Art

By far the biggest takeaway I had in this class is that architecture in general is a basis for ideas that are echoed through the design of buildings. Building an idea with a methodical structure says a lot about what the architect is supporting in his beliefs. This applies to almost anything in the realm of ideas, that is why inherently structure will almost always to art. In art, I have a tendency to notice such structures in movies. My favorite example just so happens to be my favorite movie, Inception.

Quite literally every scene in this movie holds just about the right amount balance. One of the many themes of this movie are ideas/memories that are represented by the motifs of buildings. In the scene that is depicted of this poster, the desolate city that is falling apart by the shore perfectly represent memories that are decaying. Christorpher Nolan gets this across by making a visual analogy of melting icebergs as these buildings fall apart in the same fashion.

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Analyzing Architecture from Now On

Every time I look at buildings from now on, I will always look for all the notable features that makes that particular structure. What makes it stand out, and hypothesize on what the architect was going for. I'll try this building that I always see back home:

I never cared about this building's design much too often in the past. This is the Coronado Hotel in San Diego, CA. All I know is that its incredibly old and this was Marilyn Monroe's favorite getaway hotel in California. This building's function is a beach resort that has circular patterns and straight rectangular 4 story floors. It takes a stab at modernist architecture based on the 5 points from la Savoye, and also basic architectural function is to provide a beautiful view for the tenants. Its much like Baukademie in that sense due to the fact you can see how many rooms are offering a view for sunsets.

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Buildings as Symbols

Buildings are symbols, just take a gander at Las Vegas strip. Each hotel there is radically different and standout indifferently next to each other. Replica facades aside, and just looking at each hotel you can find your way back to your hotel no matter how inebriated you are after long night partying in Vegas. Whether your at the Rio, Monte Carlo, MGM, Excalibur, or Belagio..etc. I think you would have a pretty good idea on how to get back by just looking up at the sky.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/42441519

So whenever I visit a new city, my immediate question that will go to my mind is ,"What building is symbolizes this city?". For instance,If I go to Dubai, I'm pretty sure the Burj Khalifa is going to be the answer.

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This course has been a journey for each of us individually, and as a section. Looking back over the semester, the sheer scope of what we covered, and the depth with which we were able to study it, astounds me. While I had heard of some of the buildings and architects before, the majority of the material was new to me. What I found most fascinating about this class was the way that it tied so many things together. From old drawings to modern films, my experience this semester has really allowed me to gain a more thorough knowledge of both modern building types and the rise and change of the city plan. This has definitely been a worthwhile class, and I hope to have a chance to learn more about these subjects in the future.

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I think what intrigued me the most about this class was the explicit connection between art and notions on the proper or ideal way to live. Pieces of visual art usually contain some implicit commentary on the world in which the artist lives, but when it comes to architecture, that commentary is more clearly fleshed out. Since buildings are constructed primarily for people, this aspect of architecture makes the design and eventual form of a building speak miles about how the architect views society. In many ways, designing a building involves really putting one's self out there for the population to see, where in other forms of visual art, the artist's views can be more easily concealed. When examining buildings in this context, buildings are illustrative of a certain person's beliefs, hopes, ideals, and other innately human qualities. 

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I really didn't know what to expect from Arch213 when I registered for classes way back in June. I presumed we would be studying only grand, ornate buildings (like the Palace of Justice in Paris, Left). That is what I considered true "architecture"; those buildings are the ones that I found most visually pleasing. However, this class taught me to open my eyes: every structure is architecture, in its own, individual way. Three months ago, If I saw a picture of one of Le Corb's modern villas, I would have thought it was just an ugly house. But now I appreciate its unique style and design. Throughout the semester, we have explored almost every form of architecture, and I have discovered what architecture really is. 

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Old/New Synthesis: An Ideal Place to Live

These Corten Apartments designed by 3ndy Studio would be an ideal place I'd like to live. I am drawn to the elegant symbiosis of new and old. The site preserves the historical elements of Vigonovo, while simultaneously employing sleek, contemporary elements that provide flowing and communal spaces unifying the apartment complex and its inhabitants. 

The arches hark back to ancient Roman architecture, while the unexpected angles and clear cut lines speak to some of the more modern and innovative architecture of notable designers like Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Gehry, or Rem Koolhaas. 

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The High Line

The High Line, a green walkway along the old subway line in New York mentioned in discussion makes me think of techno-utopian architecture. To have a completely public, elevated, and integrated park that weaves itself through the city skyline is reminiscent of something like Yona Friedman's Spatial City hovering above the ground. And also combines elements of Le Corbusier's Radiant City plan which consists of skyscrapers rising up amidst a garden landscape. 

Although the High Line was not built in an effort homogenize the people within the city, it uses innovation to create a pleasant, ecologically inclined common space. 

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Land Art that Doubles as an Energy Generator Could Power up to 1,200 Homes!

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I decided to reblog this post because of its relevance to our most recent readings and lectures about postmodernism and techno-utopias. In the readings, I recall that the desire to increase efficiency and preserve resources was one of the driving forces in the design of the spatial city, since it saved lots of ground-level space. This land art relates to this idea because it is a part of a city that works to increase its efficiency. The concept of becoming more "green" is becoming increasingly popular and can now be seen in the composition of many modern-day structures. Additionally, this structure looks as though it is somewhat transparent, which is also a feature of space that we have discussed in spatial design.

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I was very intrigued by the concept of the "spacial city" from our assigned readings. The sketch above was done by the author himself, Yona Friedman, of what a typical spatial city would look like. He believed that buildings should move away from being rigid and heavy, and towards being flexible, lightweight, and temporary. This city would look like a merger between countryside and city and could best be described as "mobile architecture." Incorporating more three dimensional space than any other urban/futuristic plan, The Spacial city would efficiently allocate the land available, creating an atmosphere of functionalism.  

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Presented by Walt Disney

Walt Disney dabbled in architecture too. A couple of weeks before he died, he announced his designs for an ideal futuristic city to be built in Florida. It was a model city where technology would solve social and urban problems in order to better serve the needs and facilitate the happiness of its inhabitants. And its development would be continuous. 

Slightly disturbingly, n 1966, Disney presented these requirements for the techno-utopic city:

It will be a planned, controlled community, a showcase for American industry and research, schools, cultural and educational opportunities. In EPCOT there will be no slum areas because we will not let them develop. There will be no landowners and therefore no  voting control. […] There will be no retirees; everyone must be employed. One  of the requirements is that people who live in EPCOT must help keep it alive.

This shows that the concept of 'utopia' in any form inherently encompasses an imposition of one's idea over others, that is not wholly democratic.

Disney's plan did come to fruition in the form of 'Celebration', a company-owned town situated near Disney's futuristic theme park in Florida. It differs slightly from Disney's original plans, but its citizens have reported high levels of satisfaction. 

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While looking at an architecture blog one day, I came across a proposal for a new type of city. Stemmed out of a desire for an environmental yet technological paradise, Japanese designers came up with a plan based on lily pads. Highly futuristic, and not very realistic, it is nevertheless thought out in detail, down to its placement far from the effects of typhoons. The city itself is 700-1000m from sea level where temperatures are warm all year round, and can hold around 30,000 residents. Below the city is a plant factory. Townhouses on the waterside account for another 10,000 people. Each unit is 1km wide, for walkability. When one unit is full, another can be attached. Trees and greenery are everywhere, and lots of environmentally friendly technology is used. It seems to be a combination of a garden city and a techno-utopia. The plans remind me of the Japanese Metabolists' Marine City in their use of the ocean and their ability to adapt to future changes, but these plans are much more environmentally concerned. It's a good idea, but although everything is explained in a very detailed way, the technology is definitely years ahead of us. It would be an interesting idea for the future though.

The full plans can be seen here: http://www.shimz.co.jp/english/theme/dream/greenfloat.html

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The Myth of the Techno-Utopia

I found this article from the Wall Street Journal and thought it made an interesting connection to this week's topic. It is about how many people see technology as opening doors for the entire world, it can also be used as a tool of repression. In Iran and other authoritarian states, internet use is often tightly wound up in politics and controlled by the regime in power. There is a belief throughout much of the Western world that access to the internet and social networking sites in these places will eventually lead to democratization. This article tries to disprove that theory and show that these governments can actually use the internet to fight modernity, rather than being destroyed by it. It's very interesting to think about today's belief that technology will create a utopia in comparison with the ones we are learning about in class.

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1939 New York World's Fair

In class we looked at several styles of architecture stemming from world fairs, so I was curious to see what American world fairs looked like. To my surprise, there is almost a close resemblence between the the New York World Fair that happened seventy years ago and the covers of many sci-fi magazines. 

During the 1930's many different styles of architecture were internationally growing, but the New York World Fair was mostly influenced by Le Corbrusier and Mies van der Rohe. Large geometric shapes, sweeping curves, and glossy white surfaces were prevalent in almost every structure, as well as a huge emphasis on glass and metallic materials. The fair presented a theoretical futuristic city that would potentially replace the dull city fabric of 1930's New York with a more techno-utopic atmosphere. 

Source: http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/04/gallery-1939-worlds-fair/all/

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Friedman in depth

After this week's readings, I was very interested in the work of Yona Friedman.  I did some research and found that she is still alive and practicing architecture today at age 89.  In her sketch Paris Spatial from 1959-1960, she uses montage to imagine a futuristic floating city on top of an existing photograph of the city, reminiscent of the Cloud Stirrup from the early 20th century.  This techno-utopian idea of a city digresses from the common pattern of growth being experienced by many cities.

Friedman's ideal city consisted of 3 million inhabitants, no more and no less.  Her ideas of spatial urbansim combined the crowded aspect of the city with the open space of the suburb; she proposed towering residential complexes with large open recreational areas to promote social living.  Her more radical futuristic ideas paired the Cloud Stirrup-like residential buildings with the recreational spaces from her spatial urbanism principle

Sources:

http://www.yonafriedman.nl/?page_id=351

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Techno Utopia in Harrison Beregeron

The short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is set in a society that has techno utopia ideas. Techno utopia is the belief that advances in technology will lead to a utopia. This short story is about a society that strives to create completely equal conditions and opportunities for everyone. This is accomplished through the use of technology because the citizens have to wear certain devices that mitigate their talents and dull down their thought processes. For example, the government requires intelligent people to wear ear devices that constantly sends them radio signals to distract them from forming thoughts. Technology in this society is used to literally make everyone equal by physically altering the citizen’s natural abilities. In this example, techno utopia is not a positive strategy.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_utopianism

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At first I didn't really know what to say about techno-utopia and how it related to architecture, but then I remembered a quote from the documentary on the Pruitt-Igoe Housing Projects. I do not remember the exact quote but it basically stated that you cannot simply build your way out of sociological issues. Racism, poverty, issues with the welfare system, and the flight of people and capital to the suburbs brought the ambitious Pruitt-Igoe complex literally to the ground. Even though the public housing project was portrayed in advertisements as a veritable urban utopia. 

So, the idea of a utopia propagated by technology alone seems unreasonable to me. I feel the above painting by Leonid Afremov (one of my favorites) illustrates a better way to arrive at a utopic state. Rather than extensive building projects, a positive paradigm shift in the way we collectively view our surroundings would show us that there is beauty and utopic well being available to us in everyday occurrences.