More juckspace in the horizont
“More and more, more is more”
Koolhaas tells
us that junk space came with modernization.
us that junk space came with modernization.
Modernization allows us to build more and much faster than
ever before and thus lots and lots of junk space are added every year. I still cannot
tell whether he is for junk space or against it, neither if the essay is a
critic of capitalism as if it is not. However, I do find intriguing that under
a modernized industry, capitalism does exacerbate junk space more than
communism did. Most spaces built under communism had housing purposes, and
although they were not good, dwelling space, if occupied is hardly just junk space
(Unless each individual dwelling was oversized, which was not the case on communist
housing blocks).
Assembly spaces under communism were meant to irradiate
power, national glory and national identity, this might have been ideologically
closer related to gothic cathedrals that aimed to reflect the church’s power
and glory. Compare that to most of the assembly spaces that we build today, which
respond to economics and typically reflect the bare minimum of everything we
think we need and is no surprise that we produce so much junk space.
Builders and architects in the middle ages and in communist
states where simply responding to the conditions of their time and place. Some left behind
majestic cathedrals, the others imposing monuments and dwarfing residential
complexes. If we simply respond to the
conditions of our time, our legacy as architects will be junk space. Unless the
nature of our society changes, but as Koolhaas himself recognize, we cannot change
that. Sad day for us. Let’s have fun with junk space and thanks for reading.
Building for God
Interesting thoughts Roberto. After a semester in Italy, I often think about the architecture and churches we saw that were built and wonder why we don't see architecture like it today. Then, I think about some of the developers we work with that want a project built as quick and cheap as possible. As you say, it does feel like responding to the conditions of our time. I hope as (future) architects we can change the way people think and in turn design architecture that is meaningful now and for years to come.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right that as architects and designers we respond to and are products of our time. With shift away from suburbia and all its ideals we are seeing a rise in abandoned junk space. It makes me ask the question, will this be our future? Will we see ourselves taking over abandoned junk spaces and charged with the task and creating something new? If this is the case will we be creating more junk spaces because society really hasn't changed much or will it be something completely different and meaningful?
ReplyDelete