One way in which the architect supports surveillance is the design implication of structure that the program supports the placement and operation of surveillance. For example, architects incorporate features that create spaces for surveillance cameras and other monitoring devices. In the current design, TSA’s San Francisco Airport design is a space intended for monitored surveillance.
TSA Surveillance SFO Airport.
It is true, that we need to space plan for these kinds of spaces and equipment, however, I feel like architecture lacks the support of surveillance as I pass through. Rather it is more about the people who watch you. I think your comment is more about just piggybacking off of everyone and not leaving space for any true commentary about the support of architecture. Because you can put cameras in any space really and call it “surveillance.” Most of these lines use the black tape to denote where you enter at to me I feel like that isn’t architecture. I don’t feel like I’m under surveillance being watched, in fact the airport is so grand and open that I’m more caught up with the excitement of getting ready for my flight.
In lecture, we spoke mostly about the Panopticon and how the circular structure allowed for the prisoners to feel like they were being watched but not when. It was as though they were supposed to constantly be on edge when it came to being in their cell. It was a way to obscure the power and allow for structural violence over the prisoners. The architecture had a clear hierarchy of who was prison and who was guard, powerful v weak.
I think that airports lack that power dynamic in a way. I feel like yes, I am being watched, told where to go, etc. but I don’t feel like I’m under constant supervision. In most airports I go, I understand that there are cameras, but I don’t feel like I am under a microscope and honestly the power dynamic really lacks until your bag gets called for inspection. I think that if we wanted the TSA lines in the airport to feel more of a surveying space, the ceilings need to be lower, there should be a power dynamic such as a mezzanine office level where we feel like we are watched. But, we don’t have that and I think it is more so the scans than the architecture that add to that feeling.
The integration of surveillance into architectural design is important in ensuring the safety and security especially in public spaces such as the airport. SFO’s TSA is a great example of how we can specifically place surveillance features while also maintaining functionality and aesthetics. While it is especially important to have surveillance techniques in public places like the airport, maintaining privacy and ethical considerations is just as if not more important. Making sure people feel safe in these space by having security measures is just as important as them feeling safe that they are not being watched over in an inappropriate manner. So, in airports it is important for designers to create environments of that are both safe and functional.