Can we learn from Junkspace?

If 'Junkspace' is about the internalizing of architecture -  and on a much bigger picture -  the daily processes and interactions of human life, how does that shape public space and the realm between buildings. One opposing view of this internalizing of architecture is found in Steven Holl's text 'Parallax' where he argues that, "The individual building does not monopolize one's thoughts. Concentration is on the relationships between buildings: the terrain, the sky, light, axes of movement."

We know - and are taught - that architecture extends beyond the confines of the building envelope and often times, as Holl describes, the most exciting spaces are the ones that occur in the area between buildings.  If 'Junkspace' is about the internalizing of architecture, and in a bigger picture the daily processes and interaction of human life, how does that shape the public realm and the space between buildings? When architecture becomes solely internalized, as driven by capitalism, is the profession no longer a democratic one?

'Junkspace' is an undeniable reality of today's world and one that has been perpetuated by technology, politics, and capitalism.  Architectural theorists like Kenneth Frampton argue that architecture that disregards the climate and light of a site, divorces the project from its physical context and prevents any dialog between architecture and nature. To summarize just one point of Frampton's theories on Critical Regionalism - disregard for and disconnection from the site results in architecture that is generic and arbitrary. In contemporary practice there are several firms such as Lake Flato and Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple whose guiding philosophy seeks close alignment with the physical and climatic conditions of the site to inform the design. In an age where sustainability is often demanded by the client, but more importantly is now a social responsibility of architects, one could argue that many qualities of 'Junkspace' work directly against sustainable design. Can 'Junkspace' be sustainable?

Given the internalized program of 'Junkspace' and the lack of connection to the public realm and natural environment, is it a typology that benefits contemporary society? How can we learn from the qualities of 'Junkspace' to create architecture that engages the public realm and is more environmentally sustainable?