Is there recycling Junkspcae?
Bigness has become the definitive trait of contemporary architecture, and total transparency its ideology. It seems that Bigness has gradually become a symbol of capitalists' status, replacing the original intention of the building, which is built for users.
Airport and omnipresent air-conditioning are the features of the modern “Generic City”.
The contemporary architecture of shopping malls and business centers, defined as Junkspace by Rem Koolhaas, devalues architectural contexts. Huge and full of absence, Junkspace follows no rules; it has no inherent order, and no connections between its parts. Places around the world no longer have their essence because they are trying to be something else that They are not.
Even with all of the tech we have, we still have not created something as significant as the Pyramids. Since 1992, there are almost 9000 buildings erected in shanghai, 300 buildings a year just in shanghai.
How is it that we are building so much, but nothing permanent?
Can these spaces be renovated or retrofited?
Do these buildings are out of control?
To me is hard to wrap my head around that 300 buildings can be built in one singular year. I believe that there is a difference between the Pyramids of Giza and the buildings that exist in today's world. I believe that the pyramids are idolized because of the history that came along with it. They portray a history of power, of hard work, of social status and of religion. The amount of human labor that was involved in their making was not common and therefore impressive. The pyramids were rare, unique, and innovative for their time. In contrast, the buildings that are being built today are designed with the short term goal in mind and become very generic, conforming instead of innovating. At the time the pyramids were built they were a huge sign of innovation. That is why they become permanent since they represent evolution and power. We have yet to see something as groundbreaking in our time and I believe is because neither modern architects or clients are willing to put the money, time or resources as the Egyptian pharos did.
ReplyDeleteHi Xin! I still feel like to should replaced the term “permanent” with “significant. How is it that we are building so much, but nothing significant? Because nothing last forever. However, we do see things that exists for so long that they became ruins. I agree with Thaly about today’s society does not have the money, time or resources as the Egyptian pharos did do build something like the Pyramids of Giza. But I agree with you that now we are just building so much of Junkspaces. Because I could argued Thaly’s point that now we have access to new technology and new materials to build. Let’s me give an example of what I meant by “significant.” The pyramids were started to construct in 2630 BCE. Now 4652 years later, they are still standing. If we think of Egypt, they think of pyramids. Let’s me ask you, if we think about America, what do we think of and what would people 5000 years from now think of?
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