Comments on: Liberating Everyday Life http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/ A wide-angle view of architecture, urban design and life in Wellington Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:14:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: 1942 http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/#comment-15826 1942 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:46:00 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/?p=1619#comment-15826 I think that Toomath also worked on the replanning of Te Aro in an early scheme? I recall there was a modernist replanning of the whole Te Aro slum area - demolishing the little houses of chinatown (Haining St / Lorne St / Wigan St etc) and constructing vast Corbusian tower blocks. Sort of glad that it didn't go ahead - although on the other hand, not sure if what we have now is much better. I think that Toomath also worked on the replanning of Te Aro in an early scheme? I recall there was a modernist replanning of the whole Te Aro slum area – demolishing the little houses of chinatown (Haining St / Lorne St / Wigan St etc) and constructing vast Corbusian tower blocks. Sort of glad that it didn’t go ahead – although on the other hand, not sure if what we have now is much better.

]]> By: Philip http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/#comment-15803 Philip Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:20:44 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/?p=1619#comment-15803 MD, what seemed so interesting was that the elaboration was visual. Maybe its just me then, but I've yet to come across similar examples from other modernists. Their rationalisations are presented pretty clearly in their manifesto's and rhetoric, but I cant recall ever having seen the kind of process drawings of the kind present in the Toomath exhibition. Maybe they dont fit within the 'genius sketch' narrative? If you did have any examples handy, I would greatly appreciated seeing them. The other interesting thread (at least with Bill's diagrams) is their resemblance to contemporary infographics. The infographic has been around for eons, but they seem to have had something of a resurgence of late due to their ability to make complex sets of digital data salient. It's pretty compelling to see similar forms used as part of the design process, rather than just as a kind of research or aesthetic (as people like MVRDV seem to be using them). MD, what seemed so interesting was that the elaboration was visual. Maybe its just me then, but I’ve yet to come across similar examples from other modernists. Their rationalisations are presented pretty clearly in their manifesto’s and rhetoric, but I cant recall ever having seen the kind of process drawings of the kind present in the Toomath exhibition. Maybe they dont fit within the ‘genius sketch’ narrative? If you did have any examples handy, I would greatly appreciated seeing them.
The other interesting thread (at least with Bill’s diagrams) is their resemblance to contemporary infographics. The infographic has been around for eons, but they seem to have had something of a resurgence of late due to their ability to make complex sets of digital data salient. It’s pretty compelling to see similar forms used as part of the design process, rather than just as a kind of research or aesthetic (as people like MVRDV seem to be using them).

]]> By: Uneasy Modernist http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/#comment-15802 Uneasy Modernist Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:36:16 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/?p=1619#comment-15802 You know, I have a strong interest in Modernist architecture, and a lot of respect for Bill, but that first picture looks like Milton Keynes-on-Sea. You know, I have a strong interest in Modernist architecture, and a lot of respect for Bill, but that first picture looks like Milton Keynes-on-Sea.

]]> By: m-d http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/#comment-15799 m-d Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:53:34 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/?p=1619#comment-15799 +, looks like Google needs a reshoot of this area (Gallery, Chews Lane...) - the question is, should they bother waiting until after the immanent(?) Frank Kitts Park redevelopment... +, looks like Google needs a reshoot of this area (Gallery, Chews Lane…) – the question is, should they bother waiting until after the immanent(?) Frank Kitts Park redevelopment…

]]> By: m-d http://eyeofthefish.org/liberating-everyday-life/#comment-15798 m-d Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:50:24 +0000 http://eyeofthefish.org/?p=1619#comment-15798 Interesting that you should find the elaboration of the process interesting - it is actually a common trait of this era, with architect's intent on the rationalisation of Modern living so that it would be hygienic, efficient, acknowledge the assumed 'needs' of the family/occupants - that is, above all, functional. The freeing up of the floor plan was more than just about spatial flow (at least by the second half of the 20th century). I guess that I have the benefit of having seen many such diagrams in my line of research. I think that we take a lot of this for granted (the rationalisation of the plan rather than planning for formal layout, social morality, or whatever), we still base most of our domestic planning on the principles derived from this time... Interesting that you should find the elaboration of the process interesting – it is actually a common trait of this era, with architect’s intent on the rationalisation of Modern living so that it would be hygienic, efficient, acknowledge the assumed ‘needs’ of the family/occupants – that is, above all, functional. The freeing up of the floor plan was more than just about spatial flow (at least by the second half of the 20th century). I guess that I have the benefit of having seen many such diagrams in my line of research.

I think that we take a lot of this for granted (the rationalisation of the plan rather than planning for formal layout, social morality, or whatever), we still base most of our domestic planning on the principles derived from this time…

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