ARC 560R/696
Advanced Design

Kristina Yu
KristinaYu@gmx.net
Office Location: WMB 4.112
Office number: 232-9315
Office hours: 2:30-3:30T,TH

Abstract:
Thesis:
Can Architecture from the position of Staticity and Fixedness participate in the Spectacle? What constitutes a Spectacle? Is it always related to an event: something ephemeral, something that does not endure time? Can Architecture from this position resist the very nature of Spectacle? Is the domain of the Spectacle possible only in the public sphere or can we through the construction of Architecture begin to challenge the very temporal and unfixed notion of Spectacle as a surface treated and related construction? Can we add depth to the understanding of Architecture through the defining and uncovering the construct of Spectacle? The temporal events such as circuses, city wide fests (i.e. Fete de la Musique), parades (i.e. the Love parade, CSD parade) are all events that are changing the urban landscape. The casual spectacle of the flaneur as he/she strolls the boulevards are redefining the nature of the streetscape. The limited places of gathering that are free from the constraints of “public life” are being reduced to fewer and fewer locations. What kind of Architecture can we build that brings some of the exuberant qualities of Spectacle back into buildings?

Method:
We will plan a building for the corner of Friedrichstrasse and Am Weidendamm in Berlin, Germany. The sites location is a traditional street that has been known to house theaters, concerts, cabarets, variete, etc. This street along with that of Potsdammer Platz have been the hub of the early 20th century’s alternative night scene. As stretches of this famous street were disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed during the political upheavals in history, Friedrichstrasse now is part of a new night life scene that has to deal with the emerging social classes and new programs catering to an urbane cosmopolitan young crowd. A series of exercises will be proposed to investigate the spectacle. The first exercise will consist of a film analysis. Sequences of film will be explored for contents of Spectacular structure and values. Reports will be given by the students on various topics related to Berlin and as site analysis of conditions. Second exercise will consist of the study of. Several forms of Spectacle will be proposed for analysis, the drawing of important sections and plans, 3d representations, written descriptions will be required as a full understanding of the Spectacles as precedent.

Project:
The conclusion will take the analysis, information learned from each other’s presentation of the city and each other’ presentation of precedents, and thoughts gathered from the readings to plan the Athletic Club of Berlin-Mitte.