http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/2008/09/the-subversive-high-rise-designs-of-rem-koolhaas-and-oma.html Jimmy Stamp writes about architecture and [crime + criticism + fiction + pop culture + theory] Wed, 23 May 2012 20:40:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/2008/09/the-subversive-high-rise-designs-of-rem-koolhaas-and-oma.html#comment-2857 Adrian Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:12:56 +0000 http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/?p=1355#comment-2857 perhaps the OMA 23 East 22nd St. building should be called the 'peek-a-boo' building? perhaps the OMA 23 East 22nd St. building should be called the ‘peek-a-boo’ building?

]]> http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/2008/09/the-subversive-high-rise-designs-of-rem-koolhaas-and-oma.html#comment-2836 David Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:11:30 +0000 http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/?p=1355#comment-2836 I really like the idea of 'subtle subversion'--I actually thought of that phrase myself a few months ago when thinking about OMA's Singapore Scott's Tower project. Many people refer to it (and some of the recent project you showed) as the increased corporatization of OMA. But as you well point out, I think it's a game that is played in order to create subversive, critical, and engaging architecture in this contemporary milieu of developer/market driven starchitect condoes and icons. It can also be seen as taking the logic of building codes and marketable 'amenities' to their extreme. The Singapore project uses two developer logics--that the higher the condo unit is the more expensive it is; and better views--as excuses to lift the buildings in the air up to their max allowable height. While it rationally fulfills the developers desires it also reveals the irrationality of these desires at the same time. I really like the idea of ‘subtle subversion’–I actually thought of that phrase myself a few months ago when thinking about OMA’s Singapore Scott’s Tower project. Many people refer to it (and some of the recent project you showed) as the increased corporatization of OMA. But as you well point out, I think it’s a game that is played in order to create subversive, critical, and engaging architecture in this contemporary milieu of developer/market driven starchitect condoes and icons. It can also be seen as taking the logic of building codes and marketable ‘amenities’ to their extreme. The Singapore project uses two developer logics–that the higher the condo unit is the more expensive it is; and better views–as excuses to lift the buildings in the air up to their max allowable height. While it rationally fulfills the developers desires it also reveals the irrationality of these desires at the same time.

]]> http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/2008/09/the-subversive-high-rise-designs-of-rem-koolhaas-and-oma.html#comment-2820 Koichi Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:50:19 +0000 http://lifewithoutbuildings.net/?p=1355#comment-2820 Wow, why haven't I seen these buildings before. I guess I've seen the Library in Seattle (never had a chance to go in, though, because every time I tried it was closed). I look forward to some of the buildings that are still in development stages! Wow, why haven’t I seen these buildings before. I guess I’ve seen the Library in Seattle (never had a chance to go in, though, because every time I tried it was closed). I look forward to some of the buildings that are still in development stages!

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