Saturday, March 10, 2012

Architecture, Power, and National Identity 1 - Prologue - Le Personal Notes



Architecture and Urban Design have been manipulated in the service of politics.

Government buildings serve as symbols of the state, much can be learnt about a political practices by observing closely of what it builds.






What actually Vernacular Architecture suppose to be :


A collective notion

Developed throughout generations

Influenced by several factors which is:

  • Local materials and resources
  • Climatic
  • Geographical conditions
  • Local rules system
Apolitical - Not interested or involved in politics 

More about Stability, homogeneity, and similarity

A static building form; it fits perfectly 

"Vernacular architecture as a static building form, which cannot be improved as it fits its context perfectly, and that its origins of building-form and method have often been forgotten" 
(based on  Rudofsky's (1964) "Architecture without Architects")



What actually Vernacular Architecture has become :

Uses local building details in a cliché way 

Simply tries to visualise an image without really attempting to ‘understand’ the native techniques and their architectural heritage

Functions to calm our image of a radically changed ‘developing world’ 

Hides the transformations that have occurred

De-politicizes the political impact that architecture could have



Most obvious example : 

Work of Renzo Piano

Hotel resorts duplicating local style and traditional building method

 (sources are from : Architecture and Identity & The Vernacular: or Towards a new Brutalism )



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