The next lecture series will be posted on Friday for review over the weekend.
 |
| One quadrant of the idealized Vitruvian City - note the similarity with the prior Lecture's image of the Vitruvian Man. This similarity is not by chance - philosopher Vitruvius wanted his ideas to scale across the human scale, the scale of the city, and that of the universe. |
Vitruvius, Architecture + City
As we begin to explore the concepts that formulated the early cities, there are some very clear distinctions that have to be made. Today, the way we interpret urban form is radically different than the manner in which urban form in the city in history was both formulated and interpreted. Today's city is a collage or mixture of multi-uses, and layers of previous uses. Housing, industry, commercial and recreation are closely intertwined, woven into one another as the city has evolved over time. Some neighborhoods have stayed the same, or completely changed in their tenor, or even gone full circle during their local history. There is very little distinction made between buildings and spaces that are special to our society and buildings and spaces that exist only for the purpose of function. There is little distinction between the sacred and the profane or the special buildings versus the ordinary buildings. However, in the earliest cities this distinction was very clear and defined. The cities for example in ancient Greece were almost always delineated by an imaginary line which segregated the sacred part of the city from the profane segment. The distinction between the sacred and the profane was a powerful organizing device in conceptualizing the form of the city.
In order to understand the distinctions between the sacred and the profane and why these distinctions were so important in the earliest cities, we must first understand how and why such distinctions were made.
The theorist, Hannah Arendt, designated three activities that were critical in human activity. These three activities are:
In order to understand the distinctions between the sacred and the profane and why these distinctions were so important in the earliest cities, we must first understand how and why such distinctions were made.
 |
| Various idealized city plan-forms that take design cues from Vitruvian ideals. |
- Labor
- Work
- Action
- Labor is the activity which corresponds to the biological process of the human body whose spontaneous growth, metabolism and eventual decay are bound to the vital necessities produced and fed into the life process by labor.
- Work is the activity which corresponds to the unnaturalness of human existence which is not imbedded in, and whose mortality is not compensated by the species ever recurring life cycle.
- Action - a more nuanced approach that modifies the prior two.
In examining the many definitions of architecture through history, a common definition derived from antiquity through Vitriuvius is that architecture or "fine buildings" should have three things:
The earliest cities frequently made a sharp distinction in location within the city between the "work", the edifices of collective mythology and the "labor", the shelters necessary for survival. Later in the semester, we will explore Greek cities in antiquity in which the delineation between the sacred buildings (the work of architecture)and the profane buildings (the labor of architecture) is absolutely clear.
Visualize a city that is very familiar to you. How would this city appear if this principle were applied - answer using the following questions.
- Commodity (function)
- Firmness (structural soundness)
- Delight (visual appeal)
 |
| Ideals might not always be put into practice perfectly, but nonetheless they influence the form, shape, and personality the city grows into. Above, and image of an idealized plan for a Roman City (left) and the realized actual city (right) |
The earliest cities frequently made a sharp distinction in location within the city between the "work", the edifices of collective mythology and the "labor", the shelters necessary for survival. Later in the semester, we will explore Greek cities in antiquity in which the delineation between the sacred buildings (the work of architecture)and the profane buildings (the labor of architecture) is absolutely clear.
 |
| Many cities are easily discernible by their unique street plans. This style of map - called a Nolli Map - shows available and useable public space (streets sidewalks, open areas, parks) as void white spaces and private space as shaded black. |
Please respond to the following questions for this week's lecture under the blog comments:
- DUE FRIDAY: Pick a space within the city (Philadelphia or another city that you name) and describe how it functions in terms of the types of space listed in the lecture. Describe the space and its functions in detail, be specific. Most spaces are made up a collection of the elements of the types of space - identify the primary 'type' of space that the city space you choose is, identify the characteristics that signify that it is this spatial 'type' and explain how they function.
- DUE FRIDAY: Most spaces within the city interact with adjacent spaces and spatial types within the city, explain how the space you chose interacts with, affects, and is affected by an adjoining urban space.
- DUE MONDAY: Select one of the city spaces described by one of your classmates and write a brief critique of the space, their application of the types of space. Be critical in augmenting or reinforcing, or deconstructing their argument.
Questions 1 + 2 are due by by Friday, Feb 5th, by 9 PM EST
Question 3 is due by Monday, Feb 8th by 9 PM EST
28 comments:
Joe R…
Lecture 5…
The work of architecture and the labor of architecture are two very distinct notions. The work of architecture is the art of architecture or constructing beautiful works of art simply for human use. The labor of architecture is the construction of shelters necessary for human survival. In terms of applying this principle, I think it would be very tough to implement or visualize because in today’s day and age, most cities have a wide variety of work and labor or in other words sacred and profane related structures all mixed together. Take New York City for example, on one block one could find an art museum and right next to it an apartment building. Beyond this, who is to say what is sacred or profane? The art museum or the apartment building? Most would say the art museum is more sacred but the apartment building is a work of art in itself. However, if it were applied in NYC or any city of today for that matter, there would be immeasurable distinctions between the work and labor related structures.
Joe R…
Coinciding with my first post is the notion of space and how the particular space within my selected city, NYC, revolves around a number of elements. These elements include both work and labor as well as commodity (function); firmness (structural soundness); and delight (visual appeal). Many of the structures in NYC all contain many of these elements. Take for example many of the Broadway theaters in the city. The theater spaces in the city are all designed around the notions of work and labor. They are considered works of art and I would argue that based on history are a necessary piece of human survival. Also, many, if not all of the theaters in the city are spaces that revolved around commodity, firmness and delight. In fact, all three of these notions coincide with one another in terms of how these types of spaces are designed. These spaces are designed around their function or producing theatrical performances; their firmness or structural soundness in supporting everything needed for function and delight; and finally, their delight in terms of their visual appeal of attracting an audience.
Joe R…
Many of the theater spaces in NYC interact directly with other structures in the city. One of the biggest aspects of the NYC economy is Broadway and the theaters that are a part of it. There are many buildings that are constructed for the sole reason of feeding of off Broadway's success. There are countless hotels to house theater goers; countless restaurants to feed theater goers; countless types of transportation to get theater goers from one place to another or from a hotel to the theater; and even countless types of shops to sell tickets and Broadway memorabilia. It's a massive network where one structure feeds of another and vice versa. As a whole, Broadway and its' theaters have a profound effect on NYC socially and economically.
Woojae H.
Responding to Lecture 5
I have chosen Philadelphia as the topic of my comment. There are many historical monuments in this city which are considered as being sacred or important; however, in contrast to the past when sacred buildings were separated by barriers, they are not segregated by any barriers with other types of buildings. Those buildings, according to the lecture, are the “work” of humans as those sacred buildings serve as artifacts for people in the country as well as tourists who visit United States. If there was a clear distinction between sacred and profane buildings in the past, there are none nowadays. Instead, both types of buildings blend in together and have their own unique functions for the community.
The space I chose was the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The Independence Hall, which is located on Chestnut Street Philadelphia, is surrounded by numerous buildings that are profane and considered to be the result of “labor”. There are restaurants, apartments, and buildings that are for private uses. There do not exist any form of distinctions between the Independence Hall and other buildings around it. The Independence Hall and other buildings exist together in the city of Philadelphia.
According to the lecture, there are three qualities or features that a “fine building” ought to possess. They are commodity, firmness, and delight. In this case, commodity of the building is the most important quality that should be addressed. The commodity of the Independence Hall is to be an artifact for the citizens of the country. This building is an important historical monument for the country because there are lots of histories related to the foundation of the country around it. The independence of the country was declared, and the constitution was signed by delegates in this building. Those two historical events make this building really important and sacred for the country.
In the past, sacred buildings that were built as artifacts of societies were segregated with profane buildings that were built to serve the human necessities. In contrast, nowadays, there do not exist any distinctions between sacred buildings and those that are not. The Independence Hall features as an artifact for the society that tickets for entry into the Independence Hall are available for people who want to take a tour.
The dichotomy of labor and work has diminished over time, from a stark difference between artistic and practical to a blend of the two with no notable dividing lines. Labor had been defined as the effort towards survival, with an understanding of mortality. Work, on the other hand, is effort separated from humanity, striving for a legacy beyond a lifetime. The difference between practicality and art has become invisible in modern cities.
Philadelphia has many examples of art and practicality blending together. Love Park is a good example of work blended into labor. The space is an open, public space with a sculpture and a large fountain. At the same time, large buildings surround the park and are used for business and residential housing. The park is a good example of how art blends with the effort people put into their daily lives, something that was clearly divided in ancient cities.
Responding to Question 1&2
I agree with the point that Joe R wrote in his first responding: “it would be very tough to implement or visualize because in today’s day and age, most cities have a wide variety of work and labor or in other words sacred and profane related structures all mixed together”. People are keeping taking down those old buildings and replace them with new ones which are more suitable for today’s common taste of art.
The space I want to talk about is the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. As we all know, it’s a very old city that built for Royal Kings and his families. Around it, there are a lot of buildings, restaurants and stores for visitors of the forbidden City which can be considered as “Labor”. Not far away from the Forbidden City, there is the location of Temple Of Heaven which is a medieval complex of religious buildings. In the past, the emperor would go there to pray for good luck to him and his people. Temple of Heaven can be seem as the “work”.
The Forbidden City has all three things: commodity, firmness, and delight. People around the world all know it as a piece of art and full of histories. The rectangle building structure plans contains both “Labor” and “Work” elements inside. Everything the emperor would need is included such as entertainments, small temples, kitchens and so on. Nowadays, it becomes one of the representatives of Chinese style around the world. Millions of visitors come and leave everyday.
In architecture, built structures/spaces can be categorized based on their significance in society as well as their intended use. As stated in the lecture, architectural "labor" is meant for survival and has an impermanence. It is not necessary to marvel at such a building, only to use it. "Work," on the other hand, has a permanence and beauty to it that transcends the basic needs of human survival and functions as a piece of art. Spaces intended for private use may be considered labor, whereas public gathering spaces or municipal structures tend more often to fall under the work category.
For my analysis, I have chosen New York and its Central Park in particular. While many casual observers may believe that Central Park is a natural preservation, this is not the case, as it is a completely manipulated landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Therefore, as a civic gathering space known for its beauty and leisurely activities, the park is a perfect example of an architectural "work." It has commodity (its varied lawns, zoos, and outdoor theaters provide a multitude of beautiful places for the public to gather), firmness (the massive bedrock on which it sits is structurally sound and engineered to a high degree of detail), and delight (it is known one of the largest green spaces in New York City and was built with the intent to relieve New Yorkers from the stress of dense city living).
Furthermore, Central Park interacts with its surrounding spaces in many ways. It is surrounded by both work and labor. Most of the residential neighborhoods surrounding it are made up of high density apartment buildings. While these buildings are intended for private use, their location next to the park brings higher value and importance to them. Meanwhile, the park as a central node for layers of the city's interactions has found several works of architecture nearby as well, such as museums (Met, Guggenheim), theaters, and famous landmarks such as the Plaza Hotel. The park's value as a work of landscape architecture is actually so significant that it has helped its surroundings to transcend the status of labor themselves.
Response to question 1 and 2
I choose to discuss the Independence Hall situated on Chestnut Street Philadelphia. The Independence Hall is a historical monument and is an artifact for United States’ citizens. A lot of history related to the establishment of the United States found in my chosen space has been just one of the factors that qualify the Independence Hall as a historical monument. For instance, the declaration of United States’ independence, as well as the signing of the constitution by delegates, are examples of important events that took place in the Hall. The events together with others, therefore, qualify the Independence Hall as a sacred space. By being a sacred space, the Independence Hall main function is to serve as an artifact for the citizens of the United States. Additionally, the Independence Hall functions as a site for tourist attraction, hence bringing some revenue to the locals.
In the past, sacred buildings were segregated from profane buildings by barriers to signify their importance in the society. Presently, the barriers between sacred and profane buildings have been removed, making the two types of spaces intertwine in their existence. Such is the case with the Independence Hall in Chestnut Street Philadelphia. The sacred building is surrounded by a considerable number of the profane building. There are some apartments, restaurants, and buildings intended for private use around the Independence Hall with no barrier put for demarcation. The coexistence of the two types of spaces brings about bilateral effects regarding their function. For instance, when tourists come to learn about the archived history of the United States by visiting the Independence Hall, they get food and shelter from the restaurants and apartments that are nearby. On the other hand, the accessible shelter and food make it convenient for tourists to visit the historical monument.
Response to question 3
One of my classmates gave the description of the spaces in the City of New York. My classmate confirms that there exists a mixture of work and labor through the intertwined existence of profane and sacred spaces. The intertwined existence makes it difficult to tell what is sacred from what is profane because of lack of the barriers that existed in the past. In reiteration, my classmate gives the example of the existence of an art museum and an apartment building on the same block in the city of New York. The argument put forth by my classmate concerning how the selected spaces in New York revolve around work, labor, commodity, delight and visual appeal as elements are true. The example of the Broadway theaters in New York is comparable to the Independence Hall on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia as far as the elements are concerned. Broadway theater spaces are designed for the purpose of work and labor as stated by my classmate whereas the Independence Hall is designed for the purpose of work. Additionally, just like the Independence Hall, Broadway theaters in the city of New York have designs that supplement their function as my classmate explicitly states.
My classmate identifies the sole function of Broadway buildings as being an avenue through which revenue gets attracted from Broadway success. On the other hand, in New York, other buildings also exist around the Broadway theaters without clear demarcation, as like in the case of the Independence Hall. The intertwined existence in the modern cities plays a major role in bringing considerable impact to the functions of either sacred or profane spaces.
Taking a look at center city in Philadelphia I find that in today's modern world it is impossible to distinct to this idea of sacred vs. profound. While there are shopping districts mixed with restaurants there also private residences inter mixed within the city grid. We see places such as the First Unitarian Church which was once a sacred space but has been repurposed for performances and music. We don't see this clear line between labor and work anymore because in today's society we make them one in the same. One neighborhood adjacent to center city is known as University City. We have multiple educational institutions we can regard as sacred learning spaces crowded in with again residential, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping establishments. Creating this separation between labor and work, and sacred vs profane would break apart the neighborhood systems that have taken root in Philadelphia. While there are defining characteristics of each Philadelphia neighborhood there is no need to distinguish fine lines to where each begins and ends because we like the togetherness of being a city.
We are an intermingled society who no longer needs to separate what is sacred from what is profane. Within center city there are buildings that have Commodity, firmness, and delight, and some just serve their basic functions. But they are all intermingled next to each other. We don't need to separate our labor from our work and some people today might argue that they are one in the same. We no longer have a need for animal husbandry but we make it our life's work to love our pets. We don't need to farm to survive but many people enjoy working in their gardens. Just because some buildings such as an art studio aren't as labor intended for our direct survival needs they are still our works, and what we mark upon the world. Our buildings and cities today are reflecting that mix and society's need to be connected to everything all at once rather than seeking these labor/work separations in our daily lives.
Response to Question 1:
The space I have chosen is the Tokyo Imperial Palace located inside the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan. The space is an example of an architectural "work" and uses commodity, firmness, and delight to encourage unity and mythology within the Japanese public. The commodities offered on the Imperial Palace grounds include museums, historical archives, and a flower garden. In addition to many other cultural attractions the Imperial Palace has three connecting areas, two that are public parks and another that is declared a "Special Historic Relic" under the Cultural Properties Protection Law. The Imperial Palace was built over top of Edo Castle, so its firmness is ensured only by the reconstruction efforts that have had to account for earthquakes and fires. Its delights come from the beautiful buildings, various flower gardens, and interesting spectacles such as poetry conventions and appearances by the royal family(Only on New Year's though).
Response to Question 2:
Right outside of the Imperial Palace you are sure to find palaces of business. The various buildings that encircle the palace are a mix of embassies, courts, restaurants, and entertainment venues. These buildings are meant very much for labor and are there to ensure the survival of the nation rather than the survival of their collective mythology. The interaction they share is promoting direct traffic to the area, and helping to retain traffic leaving the attraction.
Responding to Question 1 & 2.
1. Going back to the definition of types of "work" and "labor" in architectural work and how in the earliest cities, theses were clearly separated vicinties of the cities, it is hard to picture a modern city that holds true to this format. To refresh the memory, the "work" in architecture is the art of architecture or constructing beautiful works of art simply for human use. The labor of architecture is the construction of shelters necessary for human survival. Take Center City Philadelphia for example. This is the heart of our city with government, commerce, residential areas, as well as art, and long lasting architecture all withint blocks of each other. There is our building of governing right in the middle, right across the street from many banks and places of commerce, as well as coprorate America reaching into the sky. But then walk down another block or two you see the art that is the basillica with traditional architecture smack dab in the middle of a modern city, as well as an art museum with large columns and ancient-like architecture. Go back a couple blocks and you find the residential high rises, restaurants, and all of the architecture that is there as a neccessity for humans. Philadelphia most certainly does not go by the traditional separation of "work" and "labor" architecture, or as they called it in early cities, sacred vs. profound.
2. Going off of what I said about the layout of Center City, while this is all mixed together in just a few square blocks, the fact they are diffrent types of architecture but close together shows how much Center City Phildadelphia relies on the interactivity of all of the buildings in its area. If everything was much more spearated much like the old cities, then I think Philadelphia would be a completely different city. One of the most favorite past times of residents is to go grab a bite to eat and then go explore the many art institutions we have. The Avenue of the Arts runs right through the heart of Center City. If these two were separated, I think it would greatly affect the culture of our city and we would not stand for and be known for what we are already known for today.
Phil S.
Question 1:
As many of my classmates have mentioned, the lines between sacred and profane, as well as labour and work, have been blurred in many modern cities. Philadelphia, with its mix of historic sites, residential streets, and commercial areas is no exception. There is one space, however, that stands out as particularly "sacred". Independence Mall - which contains sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the National Constitution Center - can be considered a "Holy Site", where people visit to pray to the "religion" that is democracy. Like the Forbidden City in Beijing (mentioned by Shiwen), independence hall stands apart from the rest of the city, and it holds a particular significance that is not shared with the rest of the city. Like someone going on a pilgrimage to a holy site, people go to a place like Independence Mall with a particular purpose, but certainly not to make it their home. For this reason, Independence Mall is strictly an area of Work, and can be considered a modern sacred area, while much of the rest of the city is profane.
Question 2:
While I made a point of defining Independence Mall as a unique and definite area, there is no doubt that it plays a part in the larger economic and social network that is a city. The historic site draws millions of visitors every year, many of whom will end up using other services within Philadelphia. Road traffic, restaurants, hotels, parking, shopping, trash, and even crime are all impacted when large groups of people from other areas come to visit a particularly. This is why Independence Mall, while a distinct and segregated area of the city, is still intertwined with the rest of Philadelphia. You simply can't have I.M. without the rest of Philadelphia to support it with things like transportation infrastructure, employees, food, and lodging.
1. I think that an interesting space within Philadelphia is at the heart of center city, City Hall. This space not only houses political functions but also unites the city’s transportation. Although it is a mixture of different spaces and functions I would classify it as a Work space. I feel this way because the definition speaks of Work as something that aids the unnaturalness of human existence. In this location people are stopping at city hall in order to get to every other part of the city. In that sense it is very vital to the life of Philadelphia because it connects all people to one united area. This area is key to maintaining the multiple districts within Philadelphia because without it Center City traffic would be much crazier. It also draws people to Philadelphia due to its interesting architectural design. It provides both beauty in building craft and a transportation node that stiches Philadelphia together. Without this working space Philadelphia would not be able to function at the same pace that it does today.
2. City Hall’s importance can be seen when septa goes on strike. It is an important hub of transportation that helps the adjoining areas maintain life. If this area didn’t exist I do not think that life in Philadelphia could function at the pace that is required for the high production levels of Center City. In order to businesses to function at their speeds today it is crucial that people from the outskirts of the city can get to Center City, if they cannot than the surrounding industries suffer. Just think back to when the Pope visited Philadelphia, the entire city was shut down like the apocalypse. This did not happen because everyone was at mass it happened because they closed down the subway station at center city and businesses could not get their workers into the city.
1.) One space in particular that I have in mind is St Peter's Square in Rome. Vatican city, being the capital of Christianity, is a space solely for worship. Although it sits within the city of Rome, there are clear demarcations that one is moving from one space - the busy congested city of Rome - into another. Leading out of the center of Rome is a road which crosses a bridge, Ponte Santangelo, and enters Vatican City. Then leading up to St Peter's Basilica, St Peter's square is surrounded by a grand colonnade. In the center of the square is an obelisk, which is typical in most Piazzas in Rome. This space is clearly set apart as an entrance into one of the most revered places in the world. It is meant to be separated from where people live. Lastly, it is meant to be an obviously important structure within a giant city. With strategies such as the colonnade surrounding the piazza, or the grand avenue leading from the heart of the city into this new piazza, we are informed about what this place may be and what may happen here. I imagine in a world when cities had designated spaces for each aspect of life, the design may be similar to the situation I've just described.
A space within the city that I can think of which significantly affects St Peter's Square is the adjacent neighborhood of Prati. Prati is much more a neighborhood in the contemporary sense of the word. It is comprised mostly of apartment buildings with commercial space on the ground floors and dwellings above. There are cars, trolleys, subway stations, and tons of pedestrian traffic. It is a much different atmosphere than St Peter's Square, and there are not the clear demarcations of space such as there were in older cities. It is much more a sort of mixed use space within the city. This affects the nearby Vatican City by means of people passing through. The business of the adjacent neighborhood is a huge contrast to the structured type of environment in the square. People may want to escape from the city grid or may want to visit a monument or landmark. Either way, the square becomes a type of escape. It is a different world from the heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic happening outside of it. People often leave the neighborhood and enter the square because of this sharp contrast. It allows them to leave one reality and enter another.
Aleandra R.
Question 1
The first 'space' that came to mind when I read this question was Rittenhouse Square. I used to live on 16th and Spruce and would frequently walk through the park area. Rittenhouse Square is a beautiful area, especially when the weather is nice and the plants are blooming. Despite its beauty and constant buzz, Rittenhouse really serves no functional purpose. Lecture 5 talked about how certain spaces/buildings exist for a specific function, while others are there for visual beauty only. You could argue that areas like this exist for relaxation and social functions, but we would be able to live without them. Parks exist to make an area more visually appealing, and also provide some type of common meeting ground. I just recently got back from Las Vegas and we visited the Hoover Dam while we were there. I compare and contrast a structure like the Hoover Dam to Rittenhouse Square. We NEED the Hoover Dam to serve a very important purpose, while Rittenhouse Square is somewhat of a luxury.
Aleandra R.
Question 2
I chose to talk about Rittenhouse Square in question 1. Like I previously stated, I used to live on 16th and Spruce and would frequently walk through Rittenhouse Square. The area surrounding the park is mostly homes and apartments. This leads me to believe that the park was built as a type of meeting place for everyone who lives in the area. I constantly saw people riding their bikes, walking their dogs, running, walking, sleeping, etc. in the park. Many times people I didn't even know would strike up a conversation. One side of Rittenhouse Square is also filled with restaurants. This would obviously be because a lot of people live in the area and need restaurants in close proximity.
Question 3:
Wentao D. made a good point about Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It is sacred space because of its significance in American history, and is treated as such by being put to use purely for that significance. Historical centers such as that draw an interesting line between work and labor. These centers celebrate a time when the same building had a clear function to the society. In the 1700's, the building was used for government meetings and served a practical purpose.
Over time, once the building no longer held a practical purpose, it was transformed from labor to work. It no longer functioned as intended, or even operates with society in any visible way, but is set aside for people to pass through and observe. It is now completely separated from the original purpose and intentionally keeps people from participating in the society around them. The moments of reflection that happen within historical spaces is the benefit that work has over labor. These moments extend beyond the daily survivalistic tasks and allows for a person to reflect instead of participate, and that is what makes it so different and beneficial to a society.
Woojae H.
Responding to Question 3
I would like to write a critique about Aleandra’s comment on Rittenhouse Square located in the center of Philadelphia. Aleandra said that Rittenhouse Square does not really serve what the community needs, meaning it does not really have the quality of commodity but of delight. I agree with her argument that the place is just used for people is needs for walking their dogs, having a walk, riding their bikes, or taking a nap. However, I would like to argue that the community needs a green place like Rittenhouse Square to walk their dogs, enjoy recreation and free time. Since the city is crowded with buildings and does not have much green space, a green space like the Rittenhouse Square would be needed for the community. Therefore, I would say the Rittenhouse Square has commodity and delight qualities mentioned in the lecture.
Aleandra also mentioned about there being a lot of restaurants around the place. This would mean there are a lot of population around the park. The park, being the “work” of humans, are open to public without any restrictions. This proves us the fact that the distinctions that existed in the past between “work” of humans or sacred buildings and “labor” of humans or buildings for human necessities are blurred nowadays.
Question 3
I would like to add to Aleandra's views on Rittenhouse Square. Today's society no longer relies on paces such as public squares to communicate and catch up with one another. The function of Rittenhouse has thus become one of recreation works and less of necessity. I do also agree with Woojae in that the space brings both delight and some commodity though. Indeed, without many green resources it seems necessary to the community. It is also important to note that this space is both very shared and open with buildings, people in and around the park, pets, bikes and cars whizzing by all day long. Yet it still isn't unusual to see a wedding or engagement photos taking place at the same time; making it clear that today there is no clear distinction vs. what is very public or very sacred and private. We are changing our own views on public spaces and changing how we use them over time which makes it hard to define our cities and spaces into these clear cut separations of labor and work.
Question 3
Alex S. had good points on the importance of a space such as City Hall. Adding to that, The space serves as not only a major transportation hub for Center City but also has features built to create both a public and private place. City Hall has office spaces, a train stop, social events, and artworks. By combining these two types of space Philadelphia invites a variety of people into the city.
Phil S.
Question 3:
Responding to Dynisha B's comments about Sacred vs. Profane and Work vs. Labour. I think you bring up an interesting point in explaining how acts of Labour, like animal husbandry and farming, have transformed into acts of Work, like pet-owning and gardening. As Dynisha mentions, in an historic city like Philadelphia, spaces that where originally designated for Labour, like churches, may now serve as recreational spaces. And, I agree that the line between the Sacred and the Profane is harder than ever to distinguish, as there are many "sacred" acts that don't have much to do with religion. So, gathering at a church (not necessarily First Unitarian) for a play or musical performance can be as Sacred as a church sermon 200 years ago. In the same way, a profane act can become a sacred act. For example, eating is a profane act, and an act of labour. However, some people consider Fine Dining to be a sacred experience, one that is to be cherished, and that goes beyond the simple act of eating, becoming an act of work. So, as you said, the Sacred and Profane are very much intermingled. And, in our society which seems to be high in Work and low in Labour, you'll find people having Sacred experiences in seemingly Profane buildings.
Alaina L.
Question 3:
In response to Joe R's point about the Broadway section of New York City, it is a huge oart of the culture of NYC and honestly could be considered essential to it's economy and growth. However, it is also important to point out that one thing about NYC is that they keep their different functions very separate. For example, Broadway and the Financial district are very separated in their own districts as well as major residential areas. However, I do agree with Joe in the sense that the Broadway area is very built up to feed the economy and overall success of New York City.
Response to question 3:
Responding to Woojae H he talks about the segregation of buildings and how this division of sacred and profane no longer exists in modern day buildings. However even though there nay not be any physical barriers splitting the sacred from the profane does not mean that they exist together. They are still divided by forms of architectural style. When walking around the city of Philadelphia you can see a distinction between the more sacred building by how and when they were constructed. They are usually the older building and often made with heavy materials that make them look more monolithic then any of the buildings be using for labor or work. Although there may not be any barriers there are still many physical characteristics that separate the sacred from the profane. Also when you talk about there being no distinction between the independence hall and the other building surrounding it I believe this is untrue. Independence Hall is completely surrounding by streets making its own block as if it is segregated from all the other buildings that share blocks with other buildings. Therefor you see this emphasis that this building may be more important then the other building, because it is separated and has no restaurants nor shops located with in it, while all the other building surrounding do have these other uses.
Manhattan in New York City displays a wide distinction of different spaces, from bakery shops, theaters, and attractions. Tourists and residents alike venture to Times Square, be it for leisure or business, to experience city cultural life. There are people on every corner hailing down taxicabs, others enjoying a cup of coffee inside quaint cafes, and captivated visitors experiencing dazzling broadway shows. The distinction between sacred and profane seems difficult to define due to the great diversity in the buildings and range of human activity. The space displays commodity through various forms of public transportation and shops; firmness in the structural soundness of the buildings; and delight in nightlife.
Manhattan is interactive with surrounding cities within New York by its relationship with work and labor. “Work for early man was a process that relied on developing a collective mythology that would spiritually unite a society…this collective mythology would evolve in the creation of buildings that embodied the spirit of this belief.” The space serves to bring people and communities of different cultures together, as it is also close to neighborhoods such as Chinatown and Little Italy. Labor is also a part of this space because human activity is always thriving and continues to grow for business and survival.
In response to Alaina, I agree that Philadelphia's buildings carry the spirit of the city. People appreciate the efficiency and convenience by having different shops close together. The community can experience different lifestyles and cultures from the neighboring businesses. From early morning coffee shops and bakeries, to late night clubs and takeout restaurants, these buildings function as the essence of Philadelphia.
Joe R…
I agree with what one of my classmates said about Love Park in Center City. Love Park interacts with its surrounding structures in a number of ways. As my classmate stated, Love Park is a place full of work in terms of its artistic value and as a park is a crossroads for a number of city structures that revolve around labor such as businesses and residential housing. I agree with the notion that the park as a whole is a good example of how art or work blends together with labor in such a great way. I would argue that the park doesn't necessarily have the largest influence on the surrounding area in Center City but it definitely compliments the area around it very nicely.
Responding question 3
I totally agree with what Daniel K. said about New York City and its Central Park. He mentioned three significant elements from lecture : Commodity (function) ,Firmness (structural soundness) and Delight(Visual Appeal). Also, examples for each elements which he gives are realistic and significant. It is so true that zoo, theaters, as part of the park that have its function to let people feel what the park is supposed to be. And the park itself can brings people who lives near by relaxation and experience of fresh. However, I can explain more about the relationship among park, work and labor. Central Park could be defined as action between work and labor. It makes people relax and provide space for both labor and work. It is the bridge/connection that take work and labor into another level. People gets benefit by working with central park and gets fresh airs by laboring with it.
Post a Comment