Image Obsessed Society
After the reading and discussion around Zaera's work, I can't say that I blame him for taking the stance he does concerning the facade. The modern paradigm is obsessed with image. The global culture is becoming more and more identified with their online identity instead of reality. Zaera's attitude towards being a master of the facade of a building leans into this modern reality. The creative nature of Architecture must respond in some way to contemporary society. It's not enough to say that Architecture must be solely a real experience. Now, it has to be a Instagram experience as well. Zaera has taken the position of being a master of image. Is this the attitude to take towards living spaces? Perhaps not, living space seems to be the last frontier of phenomenological architecture. Maybe work spaces as well. But the large civic buildings that we experience transiently and though images? Zeara's approach makes sense to me.
This is a really interesting perspective. I would argue that the interior matters just as much, if not more than the external "image." I don't believe he was completely ignoring the interior, but looking at it from this perspective makes sense. The first impression and way someone navigates initially into a building is all dependent on the exterior "image" of the envelope.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good point. It is actually so sad how many people view the world through a screen. The first thing they do when they get to a popular building/destination is take a photo. In this way, I agree that the book is definitely judged by the cover.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a really good point. Our society is definitely image based but I would have to agree with Brittany on saying that the interior also matters. The facade will probably bring you in but how many buildings have we gone in and been disappointed with their interior? And somehow it makes it a liiitle less cool of a building. I've had this happened to me quite a few times before where not only me as an architect but friends and family have been disappointed by the banal interior that doesn't match the excitement of the exterior. I think Zaera's point is very important and I agree like you do but in my perspective there's still more to Architecture.
ReplyDelete“Now it has to be an Instagram experience as well.” This really hits home because this is honestly how we digest most of our architecture these days. While it is able to reach a much wider audience who would never be able to visit the project itself, it is still doing a lot of projects a disservice. Architecture is more than just one piece, one skin, one image. You have to go and experience it, hear others talk about it, look at the plans, feel the materials, understand the context to really know a project. But of course, what gets you there in the first place? A pretty picture.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to agree, but you're totally right. Our designs have to be appealing on more levels than just the visiting experience. Like Katie said, the first thing people will do is whip out there phone, take pictures/snapchats, and probably not put it down until they leave. The experience is seen on their phone screen rather than with their own eyes. That's starting to get into a separate rant all together though. I agree, you can't knock Zaera for knowing this and designing for it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you are saying that the focus on the envelope has really come about because of an interest by the public in self image. In that case, does that make architects a sell out profession that seeks to concentrate on the "cool" areas of the industry and leave the environmental and mechanical and other "hidden" elements to other professions?
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