A World Under One Dome

Rem Koolhaas defined such a space as a "junkspace"  as following: A continuous space that has no confinement and spread and invade immoderately to any other spaces because of the modern building-equipment technologies such as HVAC, Elevators, etc. Nowadays, people believe that modern technologies are able to solve any technical problems and create any types of spaces as they want. Architecture gradually turns to the direction of consumerism. Architectural design processes are now influenced dramatically by the consumer experiences rather than the architectural concept itself. 

However, this pursuit of continuity and new technologies did not only occur at the contemporary stage, but appear throughout the history of architecture. In the poster "Save our Planet Save Our Cities!" made by Fuller, R Buckminster in 1971, he had already described an urban life under a sealed continuous dome. No one thinks that the space under that dome is a junk space. Every citizen under that dome would lead his own life and even ignore the existence of the dome. 

At the contemporary stage, architects also pursue the notion of the "dome" which is supposed to be a "junkspace" for Rem Koolhaas. In Louvre Abu Dhabi,  Jean Nouvel proposed a double dome above the building complex of exhibition, gallery, and museum etc. A double dome 180 meters in diameter, offering horizontal, perfectly radiating geometry, a randomly perforated woven material, providing shade punctuated by bursts of sun. The dome gleams in the Abu Dhabi sunshine. At night, this protected landscape is an oasis of light under a starry dome.

Louvre Abu Dhabi becomes the final destination of an urban promenade, a garden on the coast, a cool haven, a shelter of light during the day and evening, its aesthetic consistent with its role as a sanctuary for the most precious works of art.

With the similar concept, Heatherwick and BIG's deserted proposal for Google headquarters is also under a tent-like dome. But in their design, this dome is much more sealed and equipped with higher technologies to maximize the control of the inner environment. Commenting on the project, Bjarke Ingels stated: “Silicon Valley has been an engine of innovation driving technological evolution and global economy. So far the majority of these vast intellectual and economical resources have been confined to the digital realm – Google North Bayshore expands this innovative spirit into the physical realm. Together with Heatherwick Studio and Google we have set out to imagine the work environments of future Googlers to be as adaptable, flexible and intelligent as the rest of Google's wide spanning portfolio – rather than an insular corporate headquarter, Google North Bayshore will be a vibrant new neighborhood of Mountain View.”

 

Conversely, these spaces under a sealed and continuous "bubble" with latest technologies to control the environment don't turn into junk spaces. They provide us a new version of lifestyle, a better controlled and comforted environment which releases the most confinement of the users inside and maximizes the possibility of various encounters.