The Shed
When reading AZP's essay on the Envelope I couldn't help but thinking about DSR's The Shed building in NYC opening tomorrow. The building has a huge political and socio-cultural weight on the city and the focus is very much in its envelope. With a $500 M price tag and 10 years in the making, this new arts performing center has a retractable bubble skin-like facade that allows for the building to "grow" into the adjacent plaza for cultural and artistic performances. Although the building includes the modernist tower to the side, the real focus is on "The Shed".
The adaptability and kinetic nature of the envelope are in a way a social and political response to NYC's culture. Although I may not completely agree with Zaera's fatalist view on the envelope being the last frontier that architecture can influence, I think this building does make a good point on it. The envelope is in itself political because it was privately funded yet it is for the people and it is democratic in the way it can be used. BUT it is still carries weight in its interior dynamics, flexible design and how it was conceived to function. Therefore, I think that focusing JUST on the envelope's performance as a sociopolitical ideal may be to harsh. This is an example of leaning towards that but actually giving importance to the latter in order to supplement it.
The adaptability and kinetic nature of the envelope are in a way a social and political response to NYC's culture. Although I may not completely agree with Zaera's fatalist view on the envelope being the last frontier that architecture can influence, I think this building does make a good point on it. The envelope is in itself political because it was privately funded yet it is for the people and it is democratic in the way it can be used. BUT it is still carries weight in its interior dynamics, flexible design and how it was conceived to function. Therefore, I think that focusing JUST on the envelope's performance as a sociopolitical ideal may be to harsh. This is an example of leaning towards that but actually giving importance to the latter in order to supplement it.
"The Shed is also, per Doctoroff, a “dynamic, one-of-a-kind structure” and “an accessible and adaptable arts organization with global reach,” and the McCourt “is a spectacular space that can do almost anything artists can imagine.” McCourt, the man, described the Shed as “a bold, daring, and now-living example of what I mean by civic imagination: an idea that has been put into action for the greater good.” - From the article "Lifestyle Council: Here comes the Shed, New York's $500M M. Arts Center"
This is a really great example of the politics of the envelope. The adaptability, as you said, makes it available to private functions as well as opening it up to the public.
ReplyDeleteI think this also shows where the architect's envelope really can influence the political sphere and the politics of the city. The shed is really trying to influence the new Hudson Yards project to make it more than just an outdoor shopping mall for the mega-rich, now its also a public gathering point.....for the mega-rich.
ReplyDeleteI agree this project is the perfect example of how design of an envelope can influence a space and activity both socially and politically. The envelope is the project.
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