Urban exploration and challenging convention (Neighborhood)
How can Architecture explore an urban constraint while expressing its goals and wishes towards its users. While there are numerous examples of these goals, one that stands out is the Seattle Downtown Public Library. The building was built in 2004 with the goal of bringing the concept of a library into the new digital age. One of these goals included the philosophy to let the buildings functions control the shape of the structure or form following function. This idea counteracts the usual goals of conforming the functions to a shape. In turn this makes the exterior of the building appear potentially abnormal and confusing. Another goal was removal of stuffiness or privilege that libraries can often contain and to instead be more inviting to all audiences. While I acknowledge that general public opinion of this structure is rather mixed, I have always had a somewhat positive view of this building. Regardless of opinion, it is still a very unique building that was attempting to meet the needs of urban exploration and challenges convention.
Navigating the colonial pitfalls of the past (Reading)
How can architecture avoid falling prey to many of negative current and past colonial activities. While there are a few structures that have been able to avoid this issue, one that really hasn’t is Brasilia. This project, like many other grand projects, sought to be independent of previous forms and controls. To pursue this avenue, Brasilia was built as a new town with no previous records of past towns occupying the space. However as pointed out by Coslett et al this space was still easily exploitable by the Cold war factions that offered competing modes of towns or cities to attempt to appeal towards the masses. [mentioned in Global modernism and the postcolonial]
Gender representation and its effects in design (Reading)
How can architecture take into account the needs and wants of all genders using a space. Who deems it effective and functional? These questions are brought to the front by Lotte Cohn in her designing of kitchens in then Palestine where design was lacking opinions from all members of the household. This is very clear in the stark comparison between what was then thought of as a ‘model kitchen’ and Lotte Cohn’s kitchen in Moshav Pardess Hanna. It seams very clear that design has shifted importance of the kitchen or elements considered areas of work in the household to the primary focal point of communal and social activities present in a household. [Home planning and Gender in Mandatory Palestine]
Reactionary public works vs Architecture
How can architecture keep up with the public’s demand for safety and housing crisis created by failed policies in the past? Considering how both safety and housing needs can sometimes conflict, it is thus important to understand where and what will be placed to meet the needs of current populations. A good example of this is the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan that displaced many and added new safety questions to areas once thought safe. Some examples of new safety ideas might include the use of sea walls and mass housing built primarily with public works money and funding. However, these issues are attempting to solve one necessity while ignoring the multitude of other important needs of each community such as communal space, ocean access, and economic livelihoods. [referencing Radically Public Architecture]
Acknowledgement of political & social violence (My research Region)
How can architecture question the political or societal flaws that the past has impressed into our culture? While there are numerous examples globally, to the specific region of Brazil, there are only a few. One of these stark images of questioning design is Memorial De la America Latina by Oscar Niemeyer. This monument was built with the intention of understanding the industrialized labor and environment of Sao Paulo, while attempting to show freedom from past censorship.
Environmental, material, and contextual analyzing (Weekly Reading)
How can we design buildings that are occupied by the user for hours on end feal comfortable? What materials are available to us to make this possible? The reading that best fits these questions is Deep space, thin Walls and their coverage of the George Wills and M.L. Diver, Milam Building in San Antonio, Texas. This building, according to Thomas et al was the first fully air-conditioned high-rise office building. The idea of air control in an office building was very clearly a success as a location like San Antonio is a place that can get very hot.
Critically assessing forms (Weekly Reading)
How can the form deceive or inform the user of a space? How is that brought about in interior inform the user of the exteriors potential or vice versa? While most buildings would fall into this category, Jorn Utzon’s Bagsvaerd Church referenced in Towards a Critical Regionalism is a unique example of interior explaining the exterior. For example, the exterior of the Church is generally regarded by Frampton as an outcome of universalization. Whereas Frampton doesn’t arrive at the same conclusion as the interior, as the church is seen as a sacred religious space. In general, the exterior of the structure provides as little information to the user of the space and only begins to explain itself when they enter the structure.
Reassigning uses of Architecture (Research Readings)
How can architecture recognize the needs of the present while applying a respectful, decolonizing method to its design. While there are few that can live up to this high standard, the best example in Brazil is the SESC Pompeia. This site was uniquely transformed from an oil drum factory to housing. Rather than demolish it, there was a realization by the architect, Lino Bo Bardi, to build a pawn for what the site was already being used as and continue that legacy of housing and civic exploration.
Social housing and spatial composition
How can mass housing include social necessities and will it be lasting. This is a concept that has been tried many times in Brazil, particularly with the Pedregulho Housing Complex in Rio De Janeiro. The primary goals of this project was to include a mixed social housing unit with a school, gymnasium, and laundry facility.
Revised Guidelines
- How was this piece influenced by past political turmoil?
- Was it a government or state funded project with a specific goal?
- How have the economic backgrounds of the individuals been represented in the piece playing a role in its functionalism?
- How has Colonialism affected the building’s format and function? This could be from either Western Architects or policies.
- How has its functionality lasted through time? For example, were their unforeseen issues post construction, were their social discourse on the piece
- How has industry shaped the building? I.e., is it designed to accommodate workers in a factory or does it have a specific industrial purpose
Addons
- How has the background of the architect played a role in the design?
- Who hasn’t had an input on the project? i.e. Was it developed by a committee or several individuals?
