Junk(SPACE) in the Trunk
Junk(SPACE) in the
Trunk
Junkspace is an ever-moving condition of the built environment
that in most can’t be measured or quantified; but it is observed and forgotten
as our eyes move on to the next condition of junkspace. Though memorable for
the moment, junk space has seemed to permeate the densities of our urban cities
that are so fast paced that most only have time to notice its existence in
passing from a car window. Junkspace in architecture for me, is the emphasis
put on the immediate site that any architectural design is placed upon. That space
is often the focus and creates a space of junk that occurs in between that
building and the adjacent environment and structures. I title this post, Junk(SPACE)
in the Trunk, 1. Because of the saying(lol) and 2. Because of the reference to
the car or the vehicle. As architects, we are trained to criticize architecture
in an instance. We critique architecture in the moment and space that we are in.
The spot of land that encompasses the building and that’s it. We seldom noticed
the interaction of the building and its counterparts that make up the entire
block or neighborhood. Our focus is on the aesthetics of the one entity before
us and not the space around it. Designs that don’t address these spaces create
Junkspace, a space which we most likely experience in the car as we ride by,
only making our judgments and criticisms while on the site or driving up to it.
Junkspace also resides within structures as forgotten spaces
or spaces that were a biproduct of unthoughtful design. Often times, these junkspaces
are avoided by inhabitants and assigned to miscellaneous programmatic functions
that seem less important for the successfulness of the building.
In order to take the Junkspace out of the Trunk, I think
that it starts with a more thought design approach that in conscience of the
surrounding built environments and enhances the experiences between the
adjacent buildings within the fabric of a neighborhood. Being more aware of
this during the design process begins the lessen the amount of Junk in our
spaces of in between so that now we can appreciate the design as a whole entity
of its surroundings.
I completely agree with your point of view. Creating "architecture" that is meant for a specific moment, almost always ends up being forgotten and junk space as time goes on. As architects, we should be thinking through the life of the building, and as the world around us is constantly changing, that means the buildings purpose could also be constantly changing. It should be designed in such a way that it can be resilient so that it will stand the test of time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the first paragraph and think you brought up a good point. As architects, it is easy to think our job ends with the exterior walls. Sure we have to plan the site, we like to think we know about landscaping, and we place parking in neat rows, but our focus is often on the building itself. Focusing more on the site and context of a project can help avoid those bonus spaces being useless or junk space.
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