Law Jia-Hao A0085833X
AR5221
27 April 2015
Iconic Architecture, Urban Space and Capital – Marina Bay as Iconic Architecture In “The Enigma of Capital”, David Harvey writes that due to the crisis-prone nature of capitalism, new needs and desires have to be continuously created among consumers in order to sustain endless accumulation of capital (Harvey 107). According to Paul Jones, iconic architecture has become one of the main strategies by which cities all over the world compete for attention and visibility. It is believed that by doing so, more consumers will be attracted to consume in these cities, further drawing yet more capital investment and hence, accummulate and continue to grow capital. Alongside this, the rise of iconic architecture
…show more content…
The first defines an icon as a sign or representation that stands for its object by virtue of a resemblance or analogy to it (Dictionary.com Unabridged). In other words, an object has come to be imbued with an ideal or history tied to it, and thus serves as an icon. In the second definition, which is more applicable to the iconic architecture this essay focuses on, an icon is one that is unique, purpose built to be famous and have unique symbolic or aesthetic qualities (Sklair 28). Simply put, the lies in the way iconic ty is imbued, and the intentions of infusing the object with iconicity; in the latter, iconicity tends to inform the form of the architectural object, with the intention of grabbing and sustaining attention. While Sklair and Jones examine iconic architecture on the scale of individual buildings, the elements which URA manipulates in designing the Marina Bay area, and its intentions qualifies it as iconic architecture in spirit. The degree to which Marina Bay bears the “unmistakable marks of a proactive, developmental state heavily involved in the formulation and implementation of its vision” (Yap 390) is a strong argument for considering Marina Bay as a whole as iconic architecture. Thus, within the definitions and characteristics set out by Sklair and Jones, this essay considers the Marina Bay area iconic
In the capital of financial services, two insurance buildings dominate Boston’s skyline. The Hancock Tower and the Prudential Center are structures that display the uneven change and the urban development that has occurred in this city over the course 19th century. Located in back bay these edifices work with the directionalities of their adjacent streets and the cultural history of the structures that surround them. Boston’s foundation was composed in a manner that designated and organized space. This creates the tension and contrast present in that between the two structures. The iconography that these structures have over the city is important. It represents a sense of the past as well as the purpose that the built environment has with a changing society. Even though these structures dominate so much of the skyline, they interact differently with the public. There is a physical boundary that separates the functionalities and interaction in which society can actively have with them. This essay will focus on the structural purpose in regard to the form following function of these skyscrapers and how they each demonstrate a design aspect that characterizes Boston through a visual perspective.
Icons are encapsulated in myths. They are powerful because they deliver myths to us in a tangible form, thereby making them more accessible” (Holt “What Becomes an Icon Most?”). They are part of every American life, and at the same time, they belong to all of them, offering them the possibility of making use of them. However, despite their relevant presence in American cultural world, it is noticeable that many
Levittown project was taken up in the U.S. after the end of Second World War, with the aim of providing mass housing facilities to people in the wake of increasing urbanization and problems of accommodating large population in limited urban area (Friedman. 1995). The first of Levittown apartments were constructed on Long Island, New York and they symbolized the modern trends of urbanization and housing developments (Clapson. 2003). This paper shall study the impact of Levittown project on trends of further urbanization and analyze the aesthetics of design and development involved in it.
While the history of the city is certainly important, critics argue it prevents necessary and inevitable development. The land that is taken up by historical buildings is not being utilized to its full economic potential . I examine the amount of buildings landmarked over time, in each borough, and in the city as a whole, to look for an indicator of the act no
An icon is a person or symbol that is very familiar to people that are in that area. A few of the icons in the 1920’s were Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, and many, many others. Icons in the 1920’s were very particular because almost anyone could be an icon. Even someone that did something bad could be an icon. There is a difference between an icon and a role model.
"Icon." The New International Webster?s Dictionary and Thersaurus of the English Language. 3rd ed. Boston: Trident Press International. 2003
Growing up in the Bay Area next to San Francisco ha slead me to become fascinated by the complexity of the cities of the world and how they affect so many people. I love the idea that these cities were all planned and thought up of by individuals working together for a larger goal. The planning of cities affects all its inhabitants in ways that they probably do not even realize which makes these plans and the planning process even more compelling. I am also interested in what makes cities unique. Cities are all made up of roughly the same things: blocks, big buildings, parks, cars, and people. Even though the basic elements of cities are the same they all still have there own unique character. I think one of the most distinguishing factors of cities is how they were designed to accommodate certain needs of their inhabitants outside of where they live or work. Cities can easily be overwhelming or a harsh place to live, which is why certain areas need to be set aside to offer some kind of escape. In addition to being a place to withdraw, parks and recreational areas can be a distinguishing characteristic of a city. In San Francisco, the Golden Gate Park, Union square, the Presidio, the wharfs and many other areas set it apart from all of the other cities of the United States and the world. How the planners of San Francisco thought about the areas that the inhabitants needed outside of work and home helps give it its individuality as a major city. Just like how someone must plan all cities, people planned all the parks and recreational areas of cities that have such a widespread effect. By looking at Fredrick Law Olmsted and the Urban Design and Social Context approach he represents, one can learn more about landscape architecture in...
This explains why for ‘many directors, commercial and industrial architecture are just a necessary shell for their business processes’ (Susanne-Knittel Ammerschuber (2006) pg10). They consider dimensions for example surfaces, floor levels and converted space to be the stand out feature of this corporate architecture. Through doing this, the architectural ethos is overlooked during design. The architectural potential is therefore limited as it tends to overlook the surrounding context; the urban environment, local identity as well as the surrounding landscape design. Instead it...
For instance, highly populous and famous cities such as Oslo, New York, Alexandria, and San Francisco hold some of the important architecture projects that have shaped individuals’ lives. Reporter David Owen, in his New Yorker article “Psychology of Space”, argues how the architecture firm Snøhetta utilizes their magic through their projects to build people’s moods, shape their relationships with cities, buildings and other individuals, and create illusions with exhilarating effects. The author’s argument is rhetorically compelling because his arrangement of ideas, selection of words, and supporting evidence maintain his public engaged in the magic of architecture and persuade anyone reading his article that architecture plays a critical role in their lives in numerous
In order to create innovative public architecture, considered to be the most civic, costly, time intensive and physical of the arts, the project holds a degree of risk, strife, and negotiation . Overcoming these tasks and creating worthy public architecture is a challenge designers try to accomplish, but are rarely successful. The people involved in a potential public building, can be larger than the building itself. Public architecture tries to please all, even the doubters and critics, but because of the all these factors, a building is closer to failing than succeeding.
The subjects are portrayed in 3D and portrayed very naturally. Iconography is the interpretation of visual symbols, images, or the imagery used. This is basically the symbolism that the author “sneaks” into their piece. This may be done with color, symbols, or inanimate objects. Some of the obvious symbols that I noted in this piece is the prominence of wealth.
One World Trade Center (WTC) is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere measuring up at 1776 feet tall. The built output sets new standards of design, construction, and prestige. Its beauty in New York City’s magical skyline makes it an icon. It is the most recognised and desirable office address in the world. In this essay I plan to argue that the social, political and economic status of society has affected the built output of this building considerably, for the good. Making the building one of the best skyscrapers in the world.
... architectures would led to a more organic organization beneficial to the people that choose to make their lives in this city. Although this model of a sustainable city is not a perfectly closed loop, it lays the foundation for one that is. Over time, with constantly evolving and improving technology and new methods of design from the scale of products to buildings, the gaps in the loop could be closed, and a “true” sustainable city could be fully realized.
A city has to be beautiful, though the definition of “beauty” is so vague. The beauty can be physical, such as enjoyable parks, streetscapes, architectural facades, the sky fragment through freeways and trees; or it can be the beauty of livelihood, people, and history. As landscape architects, we are creating beautiful things or turning the unpleasant memorial.
Constantly judged and evolving, the practice of architecture is forever plagued by the future. The future of people, of culture, technology and its resulting implications on the built environment that more often than not, outlives their creators. Much of the conversation surrounding this future architecture currently hinges itself on the creation of new experiences, forms and spatial relationships brought about by technological innovation.