I really enjoyed the class trip to downtown Orlando on Thursday. I too had never really thought of the buildings around us any of the things Jencks talked about. In the powerpoint, Doc Rog used extreme examples in order to illustrate the points, most of which were in foreign countries and obvious. Even on the drive downtown, the other students riding in the car with me started calling out the various buildings we saw on the way and we found examples of everything even before we got downtown.
In re-reading Jencks’ piece after the field trip, I began thinking, isn’t everything technically disharmonious harmony? The paradox says it all. While all the other specific examples such as urbane urbanism, art deco, etc. each identify something very specific, they overlap. And the blending of several of these themes in one building is disharmonious harmony. As Jencks points out, part of the reasons we are able to recognize all of the past influences of these modern day structures is because of the ubiquity of such images. For example, not everyone in our class has been to the Parthenon in Greece, but everyone recognized it in our class. It says something about the age of reproduction in which we live. I remember in CMC100, reading about the notion of “authenticity” and the construction of meaning. The debated question is whether the massive reproduction of such images takes something away from its meaning. Therefore, when disharmonious harmony is so prevalent in everything we do/see (i.e. not only buildings but also music, writing, the amalgamation of cultures especially in the United States…), is some of the original meaning lost?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
WoolyBully7, 2/1
It was amazing to see so many distinct differences between the buildings of downtown Orlando, which is not a terribly large city. There are not nearly as many buildings as let’s say New York, London or Tokyo but there was still enough to aid us in learning about Jencks’ Emergent Rules. I think having the powerpoint with some examples prior to going downtown definitely helped me get a feel for the architecture and building styles to then analyze buildings such as the Bank of America (or what’s left) building, the O.C. Courthouse, the Lynx Station and the Wachovia building.
As a New Yorker I feel as though there are not a lot of true “high-rise buildings” in Orlando but I can guarantee that the next time I am home I will be thinking of Jencks, his Rules and how they related to the dozens of skyscrapers that makeup the Manhattan skyline. Not only looking can we see these themes from a city standpoint, but we can also see them within each building. Even some of the smaller buildings in Orlando had multiple demonstrations of the Rules.
It’s fascinating to see how the themes also carry on throughout the world. Europe, the Netherlands especially, contain so many different styles that Jencks’ 11 Rules don’t seem to be able to even come close to describing some of the features of the buildings. I found the most interesting and common themes to be anamnesis, tradition reinterpreted and urbane urbanism. Anamnesis is just a pure reaction to seeing something, whatever pops into your mind first. Tradition reinterpreted and urbane urbanism are almost opposites since one deals with traditional style and the other with modern, contemporary style.
As a New Yorker I feel as though there are not a lot of true “high-rise buildings” in Orlando but I can guarantee that the next time I am home I will be thinking of Jencks, his Rules and how they related to the dozens of skyscrapers that makeup the Manhattan skyline. Not only looking can we see these themes from a city standpoint, but we can also see them within each building. Even some of the smaller buildings in Orlando had multiple demonstrations of the Rules.
It’s fascinating to see how the themes also carry on throughout the world. Europe, the Netherlands especially, contain so many different styles that Jencks’ 11 Rules don’t seem to be able to even come close to describing some of the features of the buildings. I found the most interesting and common themes to be anamnesis, tradition reinterpreted and urbane urbanism. Anamnesis is just a pure reaction to seeing something, whatever pops into your mind first. Tradition reinterpreted and urbane urbanism are almost opposites since one deals with traditional style and the other with modern, contemporary style.
RIco72, 2/1
I was really surprised with our field trip to downtown Orlando. When I heard we were going to be looking at different types of architecture, I assumed we would be looking at several different buildings. It was amazing to see how many different concepts were just in one building! The trip really helped me understand and learn the different concepts and applying them to the real world. I wonder (and I ask myself the same question about books) if the designer (author) meant for all of that to be part of the final design or if we now add meaning too it. Going back again to the idea of tmesis, is it the same for this architecture?
I believe so. When we see something that we recognize or it causes us to think of something, that is our own form of tmesis going into effect. Someone may be drawn to the LYNX station because it makes them think of the Ocean or Beach, and this causes curiosity as to what it is doing in downtown Orlando.
Another question I have is, although some of these designs look cool and are visually appealing, are they efficient? Would it not have been better to have more office space instead of creating a cool design. It just seems like a little bit of a waste to create a building that probably costs more to build but has less space to do work. Although I must say the Death Star was pretty cool looking...
I believe so. When we see something that we recognize or it causes us to think of something, that is our own form of tmesis going into effect. Someone may be drawn to the LYNX station because it makes them think of the Ocean or Beach, and this causes curiosity as to what it is doing in downtown Orlando.
Another question I have is, although some of these designs look cool and are visually appealing, are they efficient? Would it not have been better to have more office space instead of creating a cool design. It just seems like a little bit of a waste to create a building that probably costs more to build but has less space to do work. Although I must say the Death Star was pretty cool looking...
jl0630 - 2/1/09
Going downtown on Thursday was a great way to apply what we learned in Jencks’ work on architecture. The neatest part for me was seeing the wide array of large and important buildings in such close quarters, and then depicting its extreme differences in purpose and design. Typically, when I think of architecture, I think of major monuments such as the White House or the Taj Mahal - not only because they are worldly hotspots, but because their attraction singles them out. In a familiar city, like Orlando, however, I find that we hardly take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the many buildings for their individual look because there are so many of them to the point that they almost seem to blend.
When we were looking at the Bank of America building, we were pointed out urbane urbanism when looking at the trolly stop across the street, which broadened Jencks’ piece on architecture from the building, to what surrounds it. Being from Boston, home of The Big Dig (the most expensive federally-funded highway project in the nation), I have been one to appreciate how landscape compliments a whole. I find that it is more difficult to talk about landscape in reference to cities and highways because there is little vibrancy in skyscrapers and concrete. What hit home about Jencks and our fieldtrip into Orlando is the ability to find beauty in whatever surrounds us. Like we mentioned in our previous classes on Machery, being able to communicate or understand (in this case, Jenck’s ‘disharmonious harmony, pluralism…’ and such terms) it is easier to make references and thus appreciate the things that surround us.
(Picture of The Big Dig, Boston)
When we were looking at the Bank of America building, we were pointed out urbane urbanism when looking at the trolly stop across the street, which broadened Jencks’ piece on architecture from the building, to what surrounds it. Being from Boston, home of The Big Dig (the most expensive federally-funded highway project in the nation), I have been one to appreciate how landscape compliments a whole. I find that it is more difficult to talk about landscape in reference to cities and highways because there is little vibrancy in skyscrapers and concrete. What hit home about Jencks and our fieldtrip into Orlando is the ability to find beauty in whatever surrounds us. Like we mentioned in our previous classes on Machery, being able to communicate or understand (in this case, Jenck’s ‘disharmonious harmony, pluralism…’ and such terms) it is easier to make references and thus appreciate the things that surround us.
(Picture of The Big Dig, Boston)
CMCstudent, 2/1/09
I have lived in Central Florida my entire life but have never really thought of the buildings of downtown Orlando as being more than just structures built for people to go into and do daily business. It is amazing to not only just take the time to look at them but appreciate the architecture styles and symbolism behind them. The view I see most when driving down 1-4 is that of the Bank of America with its four different levels. They jut out from the side and the multiple fronts in which it could be viewed with windows on all sides. I would say from this angle it is mostly multivalence.
At the Downtown Lynx Station there are aluminum, fun flowing, curved shaped canopies. These canopies are not just for looks, but function by keeping the sun and rain off passengers waiting for the bus. One may see these canopies as just that, canopies. Others may apply temises and transfer their thinking to see the canopies as something much more. After really taking a good look at the waved shape canopy that hangs above the station, I see the waves as symbolic of waves of water. Orlando is the biggest landlocked city in Florida and to take something of absence and place it in the center of the downtown district works ingeniously. Instead of driving down 1-4 and just seeing building after building, your eyes get to rest on these white calming waves. It is especially relaxing during rush hour when there is nothing to do except get really pissed off at everyone around you.
At the Downtown Lynx Station there are aluminum, fun flowing, curved shaped canopies. These canopies are not just for looks, but function by keeping the sun and rain off passengers waiting for the bus. One may see these canopies as just that, canopies. Others may apply temises and transfer their thinking to see the canopies as something much more. After really taking a good look at the waved shape canopy that hangs above the station, I see the waves as symbolic of waves of water. Orlando is the biggest landlocked city in Florida and to take something of absence and place it in the center of the downtown district works ingeniously. Instead of driving down 1-4 and just seeing building after building, your eyes get to rest on these white calming waves. It is especially relaxing during rush hour when there is nothing to do except get really pissed off at everyone around you.
Scorpio, 2/1
I enjoyed our class field trip downtown last Thursday. Many professors expect students to learn the dry information and then figure out how it applies to the world through their own understanding. I salute Dr. Rog for engaging us in this activity as we continue to learn the theories that surround our culture today. From the PowerPoint and brief lesson on the history of architecture, to actually experiencing these concepts first-hand, I believe all of the students have a firm grasps on Jenck’s theories from the handout.
My favorite building downtown was the Orlando courthouse. It did remind me of the Vatican square (Jenck’s theory for this is called Amnesis). In addition, the many styles we saw in this building where from different periods in history. We observed an atrium area with a fountain and pillars (a very classical aspect). Aside from this romantic appeal, we also saw rigid squares to insinuate structure and order in our judicial system. According to many students, the courthouse at night resembles a judge sitting on his stand. Unfortunately, I didn’t pick up on this feature. The courthouse stood out in my opinion because it is an example of Jenck’s theories, but represents a postmodern utility.
My favorite building downtown was the Orlando courthouse. It did remind me of the Vatican square (Jenck’s theory for this is called Amnesis). In addition, the many styles we saw in this building where from different periods in history. We observed an atrium area with a fountain and pillars (a very classical aspect). Aside from this romantic appeal, we also saw rigid squares to insinuate structure and order in our judicial system. According to many students, the courthouse at night resembles a judge sitting on his stand. Unfortunately, I didn’t pick up on this feature. The courthouse stood out in my opinion because it is an example of Jenck’s theories, but represents a postmodern utility.
DBA123, 2/1/09
I really enjoyed Thursday’s class trip to downtown Orlando. Being able to see first hand what we have been learning about was a great way to comprehend the reading. After viewing the buildings, I can apply the different architecture types to so places around me and have an educated opinion of what different buildings are trying to convey. Before, the only time I would really make a connection of the style of architecture and what the purpose of the building actually was is when I would see an example of double coding or anthropomorphism. It is easy to spot buildings like those because they are so distinct and the architect had the intension of making it “pop” from the rest of its surrounding area. Now I can apply the styles we learned about to not as obvious examples of architecture to buildings such as disharmonious harmony and divergent signification.
Learning about postmodern architecture applies to CMC 300 because it is teaching us how to critically evaluate our surroundings and is helping us think outside of the box. We are becoming more forward thinkers by being able to assess our environment.
Learning about postmodern architecture applies to CMC 300 because it is teaching us how to critically evaluate our surroundings and is helping us think outside of the box. We are becoming more forward thinkers by being able to assess our environment.
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