Identity Crisis
Many cities have lost a sense of place due to the economic expansion after industries were revolutionized. Today, one can travel to any urban development around the world and recognize architecture that seems familiar regardless of its geographical location due to the universalization of the modern movement which implements advanced technology and simple geometries. This architectural style which began with Le Corbusier’s Plan Voisin was designed as a solution to manage an increase in demand with the idea that its standardization would create a sense of familiarity worldwide. Instead, it created visual uniformity in urban landscapes contradicting the concept of home and creating a lack of distinction between places due to a concept that was non-site specific. This results in a placeless society, one in which a person has no special relationship, feels unoriented, and lacks identity.
It is a stark reality of what developmental globalization has produced. The architect as the developer has surpassed the architect as the designer. How can the architecture society reflect and respond to this moment with meaningful, thoughtful, original design approaches?
ReplyDeleteIn order for our generation to avoid this, should we look into using local materials and construction techniques? Are those even still around, or is it too late, and international style architecture has taken over? I think this is what we need to ask ourselves as the new generation of architects
ReplyDeleteThis recognized architecture and the use of the international style you speak of could also be the effect of globalization in architecture. Inspiration and connection has become so accessible through ease of travel and more recently the use of the internet. The importance of context and sense of place is still imperative, yet more challenging in today's world of architecture.
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