8.20.2008

Architecture theory: Lessons from Habitat

By Sina Mesdaghi for "Metropolis, and After" Instructed by Enrique Walker, GSAPP 2008

“A work of architecture must give expression to the life for which it was intended; it must not only competently satisfy the requirements of the program, but its form should resonate with the diverse spaces and activities it contains.”

...

Besides all positive and negative critiques, Habitat ’67 is a realized mega‐structure among numerous unrealized concepts in 60’s and therefore remains as an important case study figure in understanding mega‐structure Architecture in practice. Habitat is a building, but it is also a demonstration of an idea; a hybrid building, a different answer to controversial issue of housing projects in the globe. Habitat improves on apartment living by providing each home with an exterior front door, a variety of views, and a large outdoor terrace ‐ for everyone a penthouse - and it counters suburban sprawl by stacking houses one on top of another ...

No comments: