Mega-factories of Junk
In many ways I feel architects are powerless to the arms of mass consumerism and it's effect on an entire metropolis and human culture. We can only have true agency on the individual projects we design. Having a real impact on an entire city is simply impossible. We are also stuck with the decisions of our predecessors. Architects have to work in conjunction with these economic demands and strategically oppose the demands when possible. These demands will be met regardless of any architects opinion or willingness to engage in the matter. Mega-factories are necessary for the efficient business enterprise and a great example of Koolhass' bigness phenomenon. Tesla's giga factory is being built in a beautiful landscape in Nevada. It is a large box in a valley that adds no value to the landscape it is placed in. It lacks any powerful sublime feeling you have when in the presence of a massive structure like the great pyramids or a huge mountain. I think it would be great not only for the landscape but for the business' image to have a mega factory that adds something amazing to a landscape far beyond an over-sized warehouse. Claude-Nicolas Ledoux's pyramid is a great example of how massive structures can occupy vast landscapes without completely ignoring the value of its site. I think its often an architects role to guide the developer in a better direction than the economic default.
Completely agree that it is the architect's role to guide the developer in a better direction than the economic default. Ledoux used pyramidal forms not just as funeral monuments, but also as entrance gateways. But I think that making the mentioned giga factory monumental only adds to the status that consumerism has.
ReplyDelete