condenCITY_69 floating seoul
Aerial plan illustration courtesy of exinteriordesign.com
It appears the city of Seoul has long had a fascination with "floating" structures along and in the Han River, as the opening of a photo exhibition last week suggests. The newly completed 'floating-islands' project is home to an exhibition, and the 'floating architecture' itself, a long anticipated addition to the cities waterfront in Banpo-dong. Floating or not, upon visiting on the second day of opening, I couldn't help but feel how oddly out of place the buoyed structures appeared- scaled more for the urban eclecticism of Seoul's urban fabric. But even there, the 'architecture' would appear pompous in a display of formalism; over-structured and under self-critical in what was architecturally designed.
Looking back to the 1950's, the waterfront at that time was also doted with floating structures attracting visitors for leisure activities. Then, the yet-to-be tamed Han river was still in it's un-engineered state. With edges soft in vegetation and earth, unlike today's dredged and concrete lined artificial corridor. Yet, the floating structures in the black and white exhibition photos appear reflective of the small boat crafts of the river then- simple wooden fabrications for temporary, seasonal occupations. Perhaps as a reminder of the way river and city co-existed at that time. Today, city dominates river, as the new 'floating island' suggest, regardless of how much the local government wants to claim Han River 'Renaissance'.
condenCITY_68 end of a life
Dressed in time with splintering cracks, the aging low-rise apartments of guro-gu have outlived expectations. Today, more than 30 years old, the apartments slated for redevelopment now await termination. Lives of yesterday have moved on to the cities newer residential areas, leaving behind the foundations of Seoul; as a city of beige bedrooms.
condenCITY_67 urban monolith
In the summer of 1995 I made my way daily past Strahov Stadion going to school. It was a seemingly long walk to the bus stop to catch the only option for public transportation, located at the far side of the stadium from my dorm room. What I didn't know at the time was Strahov is the largest stadium in the world. (How I could not have known that simple fact then, is beyond me to this day). But for me Strahov wasn't a stadium from the outside and it seemed not even of 'architectural' classification. It's daunting presence, as a building, was more of a curiously strange neighborhood, uninviting but alluring at the same time. Back then at street level along its east facing perimeter were restaurants and pubs, as well as a few small specialty shops and markets.
To this day it stands testament to mass appeal. The crowds which it has drawn through the decades may have changed in spectacle event but its form remains as urban monolith, a ghostly, vacant city in its own right.
Ai Wei Wei “Love the Future” (爱未来)
Image courtesy from the web BBC
The detaining of artist and activist Ai Weiwei by the Chinese government earlier this week has sparked nations and citizens from around the world to demand his release. Outspoken in his views of the Chinese government, Ai's work has come to represent a national conscious, stoking awareness of human rights. The son of one of China's most revered poets, Ai himself has in his 30 year career gained a cult like notoriety with installations and works spanning media and continents. He is well remembered for his collaboration on the Beijing Olympic stadium with Architects Herzog and de Meuron but perhaps more importantly his efforts to expose the recklessness of a government against its people upon the completion of the project.
His recent disappearance is sure to solidify his persona and one might speculate his personal agenda in awakening the suppressed spirit of a nation. This could be his biggest work to date.
condenCITY_65 urban green space
Green space is redefined in Seoul, with all of the environmentally conscience advantages to go with it. Packed in tight lots throughout the city are multi-story driving ranges, free from the burdens and labors landscape care and excessive water use. These diaphanous green giants, boasting lightweight space frames and strikingly green nets, are second home to thousands of golf fanatics who stand on its platform edges both day and night, gazing out into the urban-wilderness.
Seoul green space.
Seoul green space.
Lost Cities (to be rediscovered in time)
In the wake of the massive 8.9 quake and ensuing tsunami that struck Japan on Friday the 11th of March is certainly cause for contemplation. Being within a stones throw from Japan here in Korea, of one of the more seismically active regions on the planet. The incomprehensible carnage left by the trembler and tsunami, caused the north eastern Japanese coastline to be displaced by an estimated 8 feet (2.4m) and vast areas of towns and cities leveled.
Earthquake and tsunami preparations in Japan are amongst the most stringent in the world. Tokyo's ability to survive largely in tact in the aftermath, might be testament to this. With substantial damages to be sure, the mega-city of Tokyo, considering what might have been with out such rigorous seismic standards, would have been much more serious comparatively in other parts of the world. It is stammering, for example, to think about such a quake in California and in retrospect of Japan's tragic experience, should provoke an awakening of response in other parts of the world with similar earthquake potential.
We may look to Japan, as we have in decades past, for innovations in Architecture and perhaps the thoughtful approaches to 'details' in modern life. I consider now the future of a design profession and the creative responses to be seen in coming years, as a country rebuilds and again, as it has had to in the past, critically rediscovers and shapes the future of cities worldwide.
condenCITY_64 city of shadows 1.0
Yesterday I left Seoul and entered the city of shadow. Constructed entirely of its history as it was and as it remains. Bound in starkly banal newness this city stands apart. Defined by neighbors of contrast working side by side. The narrow streets recede in shadow to depths at times unknown and unseen. Light penetrates only so far to stir our imaginations. By invitation we enter and bypass the ground level activity. Blue sky gives way to encrusted corridor and each door with its cast of characters remaining as mysterious as the street below.
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