Critical Readings 2017

Beatriz Colomina investigates the intimate spaces created in Adolf Loos & Le Corbusier's architecture, focusing on the theory of sexuality in architectural terms. Colomina writes about these homes as though she is a detective who is writing about domestic voyeurism and the spaces created of which to gaze into, or to be gazed from. Colomina investigates Adolf Loos spatial setting out and theatrical orientations to create theatre like experiences for the occupants. Everything is planned with respect to gazes. What can be seen and from where, a voyeuristic approach to architecture. The example being 'a raised seating platform', not intended primarily for relaxation or social aspects, but to be used as an 'observation platform'. This platform allows the occupants to see intruders who may cross the threshold, allowing nothing to go undetected as if the conceptual idea was that of a theatre stage. The inhabitants resemble both the actors and the spectators. When in ...

Bermann describes the phrase "narcissistic will to power, most rampant in those who are most powerful" as the "oldest story in the world". It is story as relevant today as it was in the era of Goethe's Faust, relating to developmental tragedy. Mankind strives to better themselves, as history has proven, no matter the consequences to themselves or to the rest of mankind. With bettering oneself in parallel with the evolution of technology, this hunger for self bettering through the modern movement, this will only encourage us to go one step further and maybe too far. Examples of this can be seen from new cities and towns to transportation and energy. Modernisation has changed society, most noticeably in the developing countries. Marshall Bermann describes it as "an impersonal environment, a totally modernised space in which the look and feel of the old world have disappeared without a trace". This quote echoes the title of the book in the sense of 'm...

Imitating the style of a particular writer , artist or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect is what we call a parody. Parodies have a long parallel with the theatre and literature, often to make political and social situations we find ourselves in laughable. The book has a funny way of showcasing the view of an aspiring architect student and the stereotypes architects are perceived by others. Being written in the 1920's, it  stereotypes architects, along with other characters, in a different way had it been written in todays world. Otto Silenus is the architect, he is portrayed as a sad person but with a very narcissistic demeanour and a great self loathing character. A person who isn't excited by much. The text goes on to suggest 'the drains were satisfactory', nobody wants to graduate from an exciting creative course and go on to laying out drainage, something underground where nobody can see. It becomes a draining (excuse the pun) idea that we study ...