BIG Ideas are for the Future
Living on Mars...sure…
Why does an architect believe he can achieve otherworldly endeavors?
For example, Bjarke Ingles proposing a prototype for habitation on Mars. One
might say it is due to his great successes of projects here on Earth, but I think
it is simply because of the way he is able to convince many of his BIG ideas.
And isn’t that a major, if not the whole point of architecture? Convincing, proposing,
illustrating, explaining, all ways to essentially convey why you make sense and
why someone should believe you. The architect is trying to lead one to the same
conclusions that he/she has come to. For some, this may be through history and
theory, but for Bjarke Ingles this seems to not be the case. Ingles explains
that his projects start with change and end with a gift. He has created a new
dialogue of convincing through his extensive catalog of projects. While the
architecture community is typically quite critical of his practice, humans who
live and use his work in their everyday lives see things differently. So, whether
you are a wannabe Bigster, or absolutely despise ‘8 House’, remember this:
there is a world outside of architectural theory, a world that can be influenced,
and a world that is desperate for good design.
Architectural theory seems to be at odds with savoy, sustainable economic design. Can they be one and the same? I think that this isn't as easy to answer as we wish it to be...
ReplyDeleteLife on mars ain't just a song
-Lana Del Rey
Rachel, also I agree with you and I very much appreciate Bjarke Ingels work, my curiosity lead me to ask, why would we need to explore living in Mars, is it a mean to an end? Should we do it for the sake of fulfilling our desires as architects to explore things that we don’t know about, or should we do it because we need it for a better future ? Although it is interesting to see how much we have evolved from post-functionalism and modernism, where is the purpose in building things on another planet? Why are we so passionate and oftentimes agressive in fulfilling that desire to build something we don’t need for the sake of saving human race from its own demise ? Why are we trying to build in a place where oxygen is scarce or even inexistant ? Those are questions that keep popping up in my mind, and although I’m an avid explorer and believer in the power of exploration, I find myself bound to challenge my own willingness to go beyond limits. It is always fun to explore the outer world, but does architecture needs to go that route ? Can’t the future be on Earth ?
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm not the biggest fan of some of his work (although I love his diagrams), I agree with you on his ability to communicate and convince. Maybe the convincing comes through in his personality in partnership with his communication style, but these are skills that all striving architects should constantly work to develop. I think its great and very cool to push the concept of habitating on Mars, but at the same time I can't help but to think of all the issues we have here on earth. I know he claims that problems that they solve with the mars project will help solve problems here on Earth, but its seems like putting off dire issues that can and should be addressed first. Makes me think of the classic "ooo, I'll go run errands" and avoid chores around the house". Although I was productive and made progress, there's still a sink full of dishes.
ReplyDelete