Architecture Minus Vitamin D
The junkspace conversation blanketed with the statement, “inside without an outside” leaves me feeling one way - uncomfortable. In the most simple but honest to humankind reaction I can express is the distaste I felt looking at the example of the Chungking Mansions. I don’t disagree that there is potentially something intriguing about the film or to be learned from it or the place itself. But I felt angst looking at the space. The messiness and compactness of so many things and spaces seems like a sensory overload. In an improbable but “I cannot help but imagine” world where all spaces are internalized and life is seemingly removed from outside like the Chungking Mansions I cannot then imagine wanting to be a part of it. The regulated comfort, falsified light, calm air, and busy interior can only “fascinate” you for so long. I’m a believer in the part of everyone that needs the escape outside or the freedom that comes with it; to feel life without containment, a little breeze, a blue sky and some vitamin D goes a long way. The grass isn’t always greener on the inside - just sayin’.
I think that this junkspace somehow becomes the idea of new "outside" to the users. Because when they say "I'm going out" really they are going in and this is their place of consumerism and socialization. It might be the idea of a new escape to them.
ReplyDeleteI think like you, the images of the chunking mansions reeks of claustrophobia for me. We have created this comfort for people to be confined to small spaces like this and consumerism only promotes it, because well being congested around a bunch of people is kind of cool to some people. I will say, having been to Asia a number of times and seen how their urban environments are, chunking is nothing shocking to me, which is sad. These major cities in Asia are concrete jungles with terrible living conditions, a dystopia that only seems to be a flying car away from the movie blade runner.
ReplyDeleteA world where all the "outside" is turned "inside" seems deeply depressing.... literally SAD. As living beings we need sunlight. But I think as architects we can challenge ourselves to create vibrant interior public spaces that actually do work (obviously including lots of windows) because in some locations people really need relief from the weather.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am deeply uncomfortable when I look at the Chunking Mansions. The small/ hallways, overcrowded spaces and seemingly small ceiling evoked such a strong emotion at first. But the longer I looker the more fascinated I got. I can't help but imagine the chaotic mess that is the ventilation system especially since it has been added on in a Frankenstein-ish way. The ingeniosity of the people is commendable in my opinion - their ability to get one more use out of a spaces that seems unusable.
ReplyDeleteI think these spaces and this concept create an interesting challenge for us as architects and designers in how we begin to think of and create more vibrant indoor spaces that don't necessarily shut off the outside. Or must there be a strict distinction between outdoor and indoor space, can there be an in between space?
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