Woman and Architecture
Author and title: ‘Woman and Architecture’ by Lynne Walker
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
The article is taken from the book ‘A View from the Interior: Women and Design’, which is compiled by Judy Attfield and Pat Kirkham. The author of the article is Lynne Walker. The intended audience of the article is all architects and particularly women architects, who are interested to know about women’s struggle to find a place in the professional mainstream of architecture.
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
Patriarchal - relating to or denoting a system of society or government controlled by men
Women’s movement - The feminist movement is related to a host of political campaigns for reforms on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, as well women's suffrage.
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
The main argument in the article was that women are actively taking part in the architecture world which was once upon a time a male-dominated field. However, the pioneers in this field took part in architecture as designers and challenged the patriarchal norms of society. The article tracks the journey of the women’s movement in architecture and how they came into the mainstream genre of architecture. The article claims that women were seen as a threat to men’s existence in architecture and women had to fight to ward off the biases persistent in earlier times and claim their rights in this field. However, the sexual division of labor still persists today, in the form of the issue of race, class, and sex.
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
Giving equal importance and rights to women has been prevalent in every section of society. Even today women are fighting for equal pay in workplaces. Hence, I agree that women had to struggle it out in those days and it is equally sad that women had to endure so much to deserve a space as professional architects.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
This article showed me the hypocritical attitude of society towards independent women who seek out equal rights as compared to their male counterparts. It is disheartening to know that even in the modern world women have to fight to secure their place in architecture society.
Longing for a greener present: Neoliberalism and the eco-city
Author and title: "Longing for a greener present: Neoliberalism and the eco-city" by Ross Adams
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
Ross Adams has written the article for those people who are architect and city planners, who incorporates the sustainability factor in their projects in order to build an ‘eco-city’. Alternatively, the article can also be used by environmentalists, as it mentions the hazards of creating an eco-city.
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Sustainability - The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level
Neoliberalism - a modified form of liberalism tending to favour free-market capitalism
Eco-City - An eco-city is a human settlement modelled on the self-sustaining resilient structure and function of natural ecosystems
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
The ecological catastrophe facing us in these trying times has led to architects designing an ‘eco-city.’ The author talks about the neoliberal aspect of contemporary urban design, the meaning and uses of the apparent ‘crisis’ of the environment, and the vanishing of architecture as a critical ‘project’. The concept of ‘eco-city’ provides the conflict between the elements of nature and the city obsolete, as the city now appears as a kind of provider of nature’s salvation. The author pens his thoughts about the challenging and evocative analysis of the ‘eco-city’ as demonstrated by developments such as the zero-emissions ‘technology cluster’, Masdar, by Foster and Partners for Abu-Dhabi, as it offers an explanation of the ecological catastrophe which is a closed, self-fulfilled economic free zone.
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
I disagree with the claims of the author that the ‘eco-city’ creates a crisis situation by isolating a community from the other world. The most crucial element of eco-cities is their evolution process. Eco-cities could lead to help fight the effect and strains of demanding urban life and indirectly combat the adverse effects of population growth and climate change.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
The article also demonstrated the other aspect of ‘eco-city.’ Till now this modern concept was popular among urban planners and promoted by environmentalists. But henceforth, I know the adverse impact it can create if not handled properly.
The closed world of ecological architecture
Author and title: ‘The closed world of ecological architecture’ by Peder Anker.
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
The intended audience for the article by Peder Anker will be ecologists, architects, and environmentalists who are concerned about the cities being built for ecological conservation.
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Ecological- relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Spaceship – a Spaceship is a vehicle, or machine designed to fly in outer space
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
The article talks about the trend of imitating the cities on earth with imaginary and real living settings in space. This concept was formulated keeping the perception of the peaceful, rational, and environmentally friendly habitats in space. However, they were contrasting to the destructive, irrational, ecological crisis down on Earth. The spaceship habitats of astronauts inspire the ecological design proposals of the eco-city created on Earth. The principle of biological survival of astronauts ruled the basis for creating eco-habitats on this planet. However, the resultant design was in conflict with the wider appeal and social understanding of the human condition. The challenge for the present times is to avoid the intelligent design of Eco space the ecologists have formulated for environment-conscious architects.
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
Creating an eco-space on earth isolates human beings from the rest of civilization. It is a crisis situation towards which we are heading. Everything a man needs is created in this hub, and he doesn’t need to rely on anything outside this space. However, it isolates man from the rest of the world and this is a crisis situation for mankind.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
The article has added to my beliefs that the eco-space created on earth is inspired by the settlements of astronauts in space. But while doing so the ecologists forgot that the conditions prevalent in outer space are in contrast with the prevailing conditions on Earth.
‘Culture’
Author and title: Culture by Raymond Williams
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
The article has been taken from the book “Keywords”: A vocabulary of culture and society by Raymond Williams. The piece is intended for people who wish to know about the evolution and the meaning of the word ‘culture.’
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Anthropology –The study of various aspects of humans within past and present societies.
Culture - The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
The article intends to define “culture”. The author states that in archaeology and in cultural anthropology the meaning of culture is basically material production. The article goes on a journey to track the evolution of the meaning of the word.
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
I agree with the claim made in the article which says that culture is a social process, it evolves over time and tends to get influenced by the activities of the things happening around it.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
The article was an interesting read as it tracked the journey of the evolution of the word ‘culture.’ The article reveals that the use of this word is the most in numerous different intellectual disciplines and in many other separate and incompatible systems of thought.
'An Obsessive Compulsion towards the Spectacular'
Author and title: 'An Obsessive Compulsion towards the Spectacular' by Rem Koolhaas
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
The Dutch architect is being interviewed in this piece. The intended audience would be the architect professionals, who are interested in knowing the views of the expert on the subject of designing great masterpieces around the world.
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Typology - a sorting done as per general type in archaeology
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas talks about the new attractions in the architecture world and urban development. The expert mentions how the architecture capability of Europe is coming to an end and Dubai, Russia, and China is the rising star in the world of architecture. Further, he also expresses his displeasure towards the obsession with the tallest towers and the marked contrast between individuals who take the architecture profession merely for making a living and those whose passion lies in designing buildings are often called the "star architects."
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
I agree with Rem Koolhaas when he says that the fixation on being awarded the tallest building in the world is an absurd concept. I am also of the same view that it is dangerous as well also a ridiculous concept to compete for this target. The emphasis should be on building attractive and artistic skyscrapers for the world, not on who has built the tallest building.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
Rem Koolhaas in his interview suggested that skyscrapers are an outdated design nowadays. However, I always thought that is one attraction towards the great architecture of modern times. This is something new to me.
Fluid Totality – The dream of inhabiting a nature-like built environment
Author and title: Fluid Totality – The dream of inhabiting a nature-like built environment by Patrik Schumacher
Authorship and context: who is/are the author(s)/producer(s)? What audience or readership was the piece produced for?
Patrik Schumacher wrote the piece for architectures and those who are interested in knowing the developments happening in architecture.
What are the keywords of the piece? Give brief definitions for each.
Architecture - the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
Ecology - the political movement concerned with the protection of the environment
What are the main arguments and points of the piece?
The term fluid totality implies both the classification of a prevailing social condition and the concept of architectural ideas to make this condition infinitely intense inside the global built environment and to further intensify and facilitate its complex flourishing. The fluid totality concept considers creating an environment as a connected multi-layered urban ecology where everything syncs with everything else. Architectural project of fluid totality emphasizes upon the nature-like, rule-based, distinguished constructed environment that permits the subconscious animal-like navigation of the endless forms of a multi-author urban ecology. The article stresses on discipline in the architecture industry as the crucial element of adhering to plans.
What are your responses to these? Do you agree or disagree, and why? Can you draw on your own experience and knowledge, perhaps using examples, to support or challenge the arguments put forward?
I agree with the author’s view that central planning is a dead concept. In the field of architecture, centralising the planning will do no justice to the creative streaks of the artist. It will strangulate artistic freedom and expression and make things monotonous, as everything will be subject to approval.
Following the seminar discussion, what, if anything, did this add to your perspective on the piece?
The article provided great insights and new concepts for the development of plans in the architecture field. It stressed the importance of giving artistic freedom to the architects. However, discipline is also a crucial factor in seeing that the architects adhere to the plans made and follows the protocols of the task.
References
Adams, R. 2010 'Longing for a greener present: Neoliberalism and the eco-city' Radical Philosophy: 2-7
Anders, G. 2017 'Forbes Welcome' Forbes.com
Anker, P. 2005 'The closed world of ecological architecture' The Journal of Architecture 10/5: 527-552
Attfield, J. & Kirkham, P. 1995 A view from the interior: Women and Design 1st edn London: Women's Press
Brasuell, J. 2014 'The Dangers of Building Too Tall' Planetizen Available at: https://www.planetizen.com/node/70730
James, H. 2017 'Features - Eco-cities – Who, What, Where And Why?' Leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg
Koolhaas, R. 2017 'Rem Koolhaas: 'An Obsessive Compulsion towards the Spectacular' - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International' SPIEGEL ONLINE
Schumacher, P. 2015 'Fluid Totality – The dream of inhabiting a nature-like built environment'. In Z. Hadid & P. Schumacher, ed. Fluid Totality: Studio Zaha Hadid 2000-2015, University of Applied Arts Vienna. Birkhäuser.
Williams, R, Keywords: A vocabulary of culture and society. in, 2nd ed., New York, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1985, pp. 86-92.
[1] G. Anders, 2017 'Forbes Welcome' Forbes.com Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgeanders/2017/02/02/equal-pay-is-womens-top-workplace-issue-survey-finds/#36f6e3ca3cd8
[2] R. Adams, 2010 'Longing for a greener present: Neoliberalism and the eco-city' Radical Philosophy: 2-7
[3] H. James, 2017 'Features - Eco-cities – Who, What, Where And Why?' Leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg Available at: https://www.leekuanyewworldcityprize.com.sg/features_eco-cities.htm
[4] Williams, R, Keywords: A vocabulary of culture and society. in , 2nd ed., New York, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, 1985, pp. 86-92.
[5] Schumacher, Patrik 2015 'Fluid Totality – The dream of inhabiting a nature-like built environment'. In Z. Hadid & P. Schumacher, ed. Fluid Totality: Studio Zaha Hadid 2000-2015, University of Applied Arts Vienna. Birkhäuser.
