#audrey bauer

[ha213-section4-blog]

A book that connects the idea of a techno utopia to architecture is called Architecture or Techno-Utopia: Politics after Modernism by Felicity Scott, and it presents ideas that are very intriguing. It mentions how it is interesting to note how architecture was able to carry a Marxist reading of society that portrayed class struggle. Furthermore, this book also points out that the competition involved in reconstructing the World Trade Center after it was destroyed shows a "so-called post-ideological architecture". It is said that this would result in a debate about the relationship between architecture and the polis. It is very interesting to ponder the many possibilities presented by a debate of this nature, and its resulting outcomes.

Source: http://thefunambulist.net/2011/09/23/architectural-theories-architecture-or-techno-utopia-by-felicity-scott/

[ha213-section4-blog]

Songdo

After briefly researching the concept of a techno-utopia, my understanding is that a techno-utopia is a model of an ideal city based upon technological advancement. An example I found of a city that is arguably a model of a techno-utopia is the city of Songdo in South Korea. This city was designed as an international business district, and is situated so that it is "3 1/2 hours away from 1/3 of the world's population" and 15 minutes away from the Incheon International Airport. This utopian model seeks to create a perfect environment by offering beautiful parks, museums, golf courses, and other alluring features. But the characteristic of this city that may classify it as a techno-utopia is its self-proclaimed "advanced technology infrastructure" and the fact that it intends to offer an "unparalleled quality of life through advanced urban planning and sustainable design. 

Source: http://www.songdo.com/#

[ha213-section4-blog]

50 x 50 House

                                                 Since Mies Van Der Rohe's influence on Detroit's architecture was evident on our field trip, I looked further into his work and found one of his more interesting unbuilt projects: the 50 x 50 House. This design was created to solve the problem of mass housing, and as a prototype for industrial production. The 50 x 50 House is said to demonstrate undivided interior space and an integration of nature, as shown by the structure's glass exterior. I also found this to be interesting after reviewing my notes from the guest speakers, since they also spoke of Fordist Urbanism and the immigrant problem, involving crowded and filthy homes.

                                         The project above was created by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle and was inspired by the 50 x 50 House, except it is half scaled and inverted.

Sources: 

1.) http://www.miessociety.org/legacy/projects/50-x-50-house/

2.) http://www.massmoca.org/event_details.php?id=510

3.) http://www.architakes.com/?p=5801

[ha213-section4-blog]

Barrandov Terrace

Regarding functionalism, I found the Barrandov Terrace in Prague to be very interesting, primarily because most of my ancestors came from the Czech Republic. Though the building is in a complete state of decay, it is said that it is one of the best examples of functionalist architecture in all of the Czech Republic. The purpose of this building was to be a cafe, lounge, restaurant, and an overall trendy gathering place. It is said that the Barrandov Terrace was constructed to be the European version of Hollywood glamour, and the building actually mimics a pavilion restaurant in California. The main purpose is revealed through the sharp lines and low railing of this building that resemble those of the Hollywood restaurant.

(Photo above: the Barrandov Terrace in its current condition.)

Source: http://www.polyvore.com/barrandov_terraces/set?id=17153343

[ha213-section4-blog]

The Chicago Water Tower

                Having visited Chicago over fall break, I figured it would only be appropriate to post about my observations from the duration of my stay. First of all, it was wonderful to be able to apply what we have learned about skyscrapers in past lectures to buildings I saw in person. In the midst of sight-seeing, and I couldn't help but relate the Chicago Water Tower to characteristics of dada architecture. Since dadaism concerns art that neglects to represent its typical purpose, the water tower exemplifies these qualities through its medieval castle-style design. The facade of the sturcture boasts many small neo-gothic towers typical of a castle, with white tectured-brick and stone cladding. There are even windows and a door on the front of the water tower, making the tower look as though it is a residential building or church rather than a house for a water system. Considering these features atypical of water towers, one can make the connection between dadaism and the Chicago Water Tower; with the building's elaboarate medieval castle-like qualities, the structure looks as though it could be anything but a system of piplines and a pumping station. However, the facade and great aesthetic value of the building tricks the average passerby into viewing the tower as something it is not. 

Sources:

1.) http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/374/Old-Water-Tower.php

2.) http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago/watertower.htm

[ha213-section4-blog]

Music as an Expressionist Medium

As we've learned from lecture and from previous posts, expressionism can be seen in many different forms, so I thought it would be interesting to research the many ways in which expressionism is used. Arguably the most obscure of the mediums that I found was expressionism in music. According to the article cited at the bottom of my post, expressionist music has relatively vague qualities, a few being its fragmented form and culture, its appeal towards the common man, and its clashing dissonances. Though I still do not feel that expressionist music is easy to identify, I still find it interesting that expressionism can be seen in something as intangible as music; with paintings and sculpture you are able see how expressionism works within a piece, whereas music requires close attention and thorough inquiry into its features.

Pictured above is one of the main composers associated with expressionist music, Arnold Schoenberg. His work serves as a prime example of music with a strong focus on expressionism that follows the guidelines referenced above. 

Sources:

http://www.academic.muohio.edu/mus189/expressionism/

http://www.schirmer.com/default.aspx?TabId=2419&State_2872=2&composerId_2872=1390

[ha213-section4-blog]

"Uber-Eco-Towers"

Drawing inspiration from Jamie's post below about a skyscraper that generates its own energy, I decided to research the very contemporary topic of green building with respect to skyscrapers. (I had originally planned on posting about the tallest tower in Dubai as well, haha.) The "Green Movement" is omnipresent in modern culture, with numerous campaigns and organizations promoting environmentally-friendly habits and products. Clothes, school supplies, and other products we use on a daily basis are frequently produced via environmentally-friendly production methods or with recycled materials, and architecture is beginning to fall under this category as well.

So while in pursuit of more information concerning this topic, I came across a piece on ecogeek.org about "Uber-Eco-Towers". The skyscraper pictured above is the Hearst Tower in New York City, which was NYC's first skyscraper to achieve LEED Gold Accreditation from the USGBC. One of the more interesting concepts about this skyscraper is that everything about the way this building was built - the design, materials, etc.- contribute to its esteemed LEED Gold label. In fact, the diamond shapes on the building are not only for aesthetic purposes, but also because the diamond design means the use of fewer steel beams while still achieving the same rigidity as a standard skyscraper.

I find this topic to be very significant to building methods today. With more and more skyscrapers popping up, and the green movement still maintaining popularity, green building will become more prominent in the future.

Source: http://www.ecogeek.org/architecture/695