Architecture of Convenience
_"Bigness" finds a way to separate, convenience, and compartmentalize. Although the notion of an architecture of a large size could contain all the dealings of one's everyday life, it would ultimately render the relations of the relative spaces null-and-void. This idea of "bigness" almost turns architecture into a simple television set.
_The user has to simply climb into the elevator and choose their preferred channel to enjoy. "On FLOOR #4 @ 9:00 P.M., we are hosting ballroom dance classes; FLOOR #23, aquatic aerobics; FLOOR #18, kickboxing." You simply pick your activity of choice from a buffet of entertainment without any though of their spatial relations with each other or the outside.
_mason b
_The user has to simply climb into the elevator and choose their preferred channel to enjoy. "On FLOOR #4 @ 9:00 P.M., we are hosting ballroom dance classes; FLOOR #23, aquatic aerobics; FLOOR #18, kickboxing." You simply pick your activity of choice from a buffet of entertainment without any though of their spatial relations with each other or the outside.
I find this interesting, if we place these types of 'bigness' buildings onto the scale given to us by Venturi and Scott Brown, because of their inherent disinterest in the relation between the building typology and the city, or even between the floor levels, that places almost any skyscraper in the realm of the decorated shed, designed as an empty hull in which anything can be placed, each floor relying on a sign in the elevator to advertise its purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a very accurate description of how people in urban environments differ from those in suburb or rural environments. In those environments you are able to see the building and its exterior expression in design whether that be through signage or building shape/form. You are ultimately able to decipher what the building is for and what takes place inside, the contrary to what is understood of the skyscraper. In the end, my question is which is the more elegant? Designing efficiently in a vertical building or providing an identity for the activity in its own more building?
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