Inevitable Junkspace
Junkspace in my eyes cannot be avoided. As architects, we try to program every square foot of our building to be something. Ultimately, it's up to the user to determine what they actually want from those spaces. Some spaces we see as circulation, lobby, or “hang-out” areas turn into junkspace over time with user determination. It is the public that chooses how they want to navigate the building and what they want the interior forms to turn into program-wise. We try to control this when designing, but there is no “one-fits-all” in architecture.
When it comes to adapt and reuse, we have to go through the process again of guessing what the public wants and how they will use the building. Architects focus on the present need and they try their best to incorporate future changes, but there WILL always be adaptation happening within a building program-wise, even if the envelope and shell remain the same. The traditional mall is being abandoned now, but is it even worth trying to adapt and reuse them?
Molly, I agree that it is really hard to predict what the future owners of a building will do with it. One example that came to mind is Lee III. We chose to use certain spaces as pin up walls and certain spaces as desk areas but it is hard to know what exactly the architects would've wanted us to do with the big open spaces. This might also chance with time depending on the building use itself. What if the building eventually turned into a business or nursing school. How would the usage of these spaces change? Is it possible to design a space that will always work with the function no matter how much it changes>
ReplyDeleteMolly, You are right - there is not a one-size-fits-all approach in architecture. In my opinion, half the beauty of creating space is allowing the user to decide how they will experience it. Especially in regards to the space "in-between". How interesting is it that an architect's intent may never be realized? If they are not the ones inhabiting the space then they will never be the ones who decide how to use it.
ReplyDeleteI have similar feelings to you that junkspace is inevitable. No matter how much we plan, others will use the space how they want. One of Mies' hardest criticisms is that he wouldn't allow the occupants to alter the spaces he designed. Take the Farnsworth House. Edith Farnsworth didn't like being on display in her glass house despite that being the architectural intention, and she was denied the right to use curtains to shield herself from prying eyes. Junkspace isn't inherently bad, it's just something that must be.
ReplyDeleteMolly,
ReplyDeleteI also think we can not ever get rid of junkspace completely. On a larger scale in a city I think of junkspace as those large storage unit facilities compared to designs by architects like museums or concert halls. If it werent for buildings like storage facilities that take a back seat, our architecture would not shine.