Fortune-Telling 101
"Good architecture, we instinctively believe, is the stone in the midst of running water." - John Habraken p. 15
The world changes so rapidly, so how are we as architects supposed to make assumptions and propose the designs of the future?
We must be adaptable to "life's variety."
Skyscrapers and larger projects really do have to engulf the challenge of being "what if?" spaces. They must be modular, open neighborhoods that allow for the idea of "plug and play."
Well, that is the only logical way to think of space planning for the future in my opinion. Why would we specifically program space if the programs and needs are going to constantly change? Why wouldn't we stack space to create more room horizontally for a growing population?
During the student-taught class, we talked about the appeal of unprogrammed space versus specifically programmed space and the benefits of the two. I standby that if we as architects are supposed to predict future needs and spaces, why would we dare to be specific?
Jessica, I was really surprised by how many people preferred ambiguous spaces to clearly defined program. I personally enjoy structure and predictability in my spaces. With that bias comes the tendency to create things that will become obsolete. We're currently operating within a tremendous tension that responds to the need for more buildings (housing, worship, civic, infrastructure, etc.) while also acknowledging the conscientiousness of stewarding our resources well so that our projects can outlive the initial function and use.
ReplyDeleteJess,
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a certain need to start planning spaces that are more easily changed, but I have one reservation about this being a standard. When we debated it in class, we didn't take into consideration cultural traditions. There are some building's which have a spatial sequence so tied to tradition. A temple is usually not changed unless there is change in tradition, as in the case of the multiple stages Christian churches went through from Roman basilicas to contemporary open warehouse-style worship centers. Even if the architecture of tomorrow is one of adaptation, I think there is still a place for permeance.
Jess,
ReplyDeleteI agree that flexibility of space is where the future of architecture is going. The idea of going into a space and using it differently each time sounds amazing based on my needs for that time, but I also agree with Geoffrey's comment that not all spaces should be open or flexible.