American Vernacular
During our discussion about Kenneth Frampton’s Six Points Towards an Architecture of Resistance, there is a quote about how Venturi’s analysis can conclude that Americans don't need piazzas because they stay at home to watch television. While technology does greatly change architecture, it has me considering if other countries have faced a similar problem? Since the United States’ built environments are relatively new (compared to other countries), does our vernacular architecture truly belong to us? As a country of immigrants, old traditions were brought here and developed. But what does the modern American vernacular look like? Sadly, my first thought is the suburban model home.
Ashley, I had similar thoughts when reading this article as well. When you think of Europe they have a clear identity in their architecture. Each city is clear in what they have built and how they are presented. I tried to think of what that could be in America and Charleston was one that came with a clear identity. Other cities seems to evolve into tall skyscrapers of the present and forget their past identity. Maybe that could be it as well?
ReplyDeleteI agree that American vernacular is hard to pin down. Our shorter history compared to older countries certainly contributes to this, but I hope that it is not simply defined as the suburban model home. I hope that like Lucas mentioned, our vernacular has a more rooted history. Looking at America's older cities, built before the suburban sprawl of the 1950's.
ReplyDeleteI think in the US specifically, we are a relatively newer society that doesn't have architecture from thousands of years ago like other countries. However, I think depending on the region in the US, we see influences in those areas based on who settled there. When I think of what our vernacular is, my mind also goes to suburban homes as this is what we do see a lot of, but I don't think we really can pinpoint a certain vernacular for the US.
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