Life is Junk

    After reading Rem Koolhaas’s Junkspace, I am left with a simple notion that everything is junkspace. Koolhaas’s writes about many areas’ of life that clutter our existence. I appreciate many of the notions mentioned but others left me wondering his point of view or embarrassment that such things could be considered junk space or a space for junk. 

I am fully on board with the notion that an ATM outside of a front entry is junkspace. It clogs up the entry space and also gives a false sense of security to the user that their private financial records can be views by the public at large. If you take the example of big box store's entry, there are plenty of items to get in the way of the users and of the entries. Including but not limited to vending machines, claw machines, ballards, shopping carts, powered wheel chairs, greeters, advertisements, security machines, and all of that is within a span of 20 feet. 

What I am fully at disconnect from the reading is that some of the needed items within public spaces should be considered junkspace. Take the example of a wheelchair ramp or a general ramp going through a plaza. Many designers would view it as a necessary evil and try to place it in the far edge of the site.  I really appreciate those designers who take this element as a design opportunity and bring it to the front of design. One example can be seen in the image attached. The ramp is integrated in full design and not a tacked on device. 

I think Koolhaas is trying to bring to light that any space or attraction can easily become junkspace, regardless of how well the design is thought out. It needs to be our charge to think as many possibilities for how our designs are going to be used and combat these instances of junk invading our beloved spaces.