Capitalism and Global Flows BOOK

CAPITALISM AND GLOBAL FLOWS 2019 ARPL 4002A Contemporary Architectural Theory

CONTENTS Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production Jonathan Melamdowitz.................................................................................Page 5 Umswenko: A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo...................................................................................................Page 15 The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow......................................................................................................Page 33 Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect Danillo Deletic..............................................................................................Page 47 Cover image: Adapted from: ‘Network Atlas Improves Visualization of Global Internet Infrastructure’. Sub marine Cable Networks (Online). Available at: https://www.submarinenetworks.com/en/insights/network-at- las-improves-visualization-of-global-internet-infrastructure

I, [Alan Kow, 535203; Calvin Alan Thoo, 1123127; Danilo Deletic, 321081; Jonathan Melamdowitz. 599583] am a student registered for the course ARPL4002 in the year 2019. I hereby declare the following: I am aware that plagiarism (i.e. the use of someone else’s work without permission and/or without acknowledging the original sources) is wrong. I confirm that the work submitted for assessment for the above course is my own unaided work except where I have stated explicitly otherwise. I have followed the required conventions in referencing thoughts, ideas, and visual materials of others. I understand that the University of the Witwatersrand may take disciplinary action against me if there is a belief that this is not my unaided work or that I have failed to acknowledge the source of the ideas or words in my own work. Name Student Number Signature Danilo Deletic 321081 ____________________ Alan Kow 535203 ____________________ Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583 ____________________ Calvin Alan Thoo 1123127 ____________________

Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 2019 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

Cover image: Adapted from Buckminster Fuller: World Map on Dymaxion Projection (1946) Figure 1: Extinction Rebellion protesters outside HM Treasury, Westminster, London. REUTERS / Peter Nicholas. Accessed from article: Martinez, D and Fraser, A. ‘Goldman Sachs, Bank of England and Treasury targeted by climate activists in London’. Reuters (online). 25 April 2019. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-protests-climate-change/gold- man-sachs-bank-of-england-and-treasury-targeted-by-climate-activists-in-london-idUSKCN1S10J5?- feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_cam- paign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Fenvironment+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Environment%29 Figure 2: Leonardo da Vinci: Vitruvian Man Figure 3: Le Corbusier: Modular Man Sketch Figures 4 & 5: CHORA develops strategies for modelling, and simulating urban scenarios, using cyber- netic principles to develop instruments for participatory models. Operating at a range of scales, through multiple subjectivities, technoscience is mobilized to promote the ‘right to the city’. Images from: Bunschoten, R. 2016. ‘Urban Prototypes’, and Smart Region: A Guide to Dynamic Master- planning’. In Mostafavi, M. and Doherty, G. Ecological Urbanism. Lars Muller Publishers: Zurich Figures 6: Graph illustrating the numbers of private and public sector houses built in the Unite Kingdom, against house prices from 1945 to 2010. Graph from: Meek, J. 2014. ‘Where will we Live?”. London Review of Books. Vol 36 no 1. Figure 7: Camille Pissaro’s 1899 painting, Avenue de l’Opera, Snow Effect, depicting a the wide avenues cleared by Haussman i a romantic impressionist light. Image from: Artsheaven.com (online). Available at https://www.artsheaven.com/painting/artists/p/ca- mille-pissarro/avenue-de-lopera-snow-effect/ Figure 8: Boulevards cut through the Parisian urban fabric. Image from: Willsher, K. 2016. ‘Story of cities #12: Haussmann rips up Paris – and divides France to this day’. The Guardian (online). 31 March 2016. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/ mar/31/story-cities-12-paris-baron-haussmann-france-urban-planner-napoleon Figure 9: Granby Workshop, developed by Assemble, in collaboration with Granby Four Streets residents. The workshop mobilizes local skills to produce architectural ceramics. Image from: ‘Granby Workshop’. Assemble (online). Available from: https://assemblestudio.co.uk/proj- ects/granby-workshop Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 6 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

Introduction environment, has come to form a not to say that there is no alternative Figure 1: Extinction Rebellion protesters outside HM Treasury, tangible mechanism that both contains position posed, but rather that it Westminster, London The very means by which systems of and defines social, economic, and takes place through a challenge poduction and consumption of the environmental interaction.2 It forms to conventional pegagogies, often built environment operate are defined a living representation of political through political, economic, or civil by political and economic forces of and economic power dynamics, action that oppose unjust systems of neoliberal capitalism. David Harvey forming and revealing the ecologies accumulation. proposes that Karl Marx’s notion of of alienation and exploitation that alienation “exists almost everywhere. It result from existing capitalist systems The ongoing global environmental exists at work in production, at home that make and remake the urban protest action by groups such as in consumption, and it dominates environment. The dialectic relationship Extinction Rebellion epitomizes this much of politics and daily life”,1 and between the city-as-representation idea. A key point in their argument is that the proliferation of information and city-as-mechanism results in a that that the ethics of accumulation and automation technologies serve to politicisation of the terms through and self-determinism have manifested intensify this effect. which we understand and create significant ecological injustices. This essay will address the ways in the urban environment. Harvey which architecture necessarily operates defines the right to the city not as Under Harvey’s notion that the right as a concrete representation of political being merely a right to access the to the city encompasses a right to and social ideology, at the frontline of infrastructures and lifestyles provided remake ourselves, representation systems of capital and global flows at by the urban environment, but rather functions as a projective vector by multiple scales. It will look to show as the right to affect change, make, and which the environment is both made how ‘alienation’ has come to define remake physical and imaginary urban and understood. the production, manifestation, and environments as a kind of performative physical life of architecture within agency in defining and making our If, as scholarship of the Anthropocene contemporary neoliberal capitalist existence.3 tells us, human action has defined the urban environment. I will attempt geological systems of the planet to the to suggest some ways in which Harvey notes that rights are defined extent that Earth’s so-called ‘natural’ architecture might navigate these by underlying moralities of justice functions are indivisible from human power structures, in which modes and normative values. While there is action, then Raoul Bounschoten’s of representation and practice are currently a strong tendency towards qualification of the city as a ‘second- considered to be ethically projective an abstract noition of rights, much skin,’ “appearing to become a wrapper acts, that define (and are defined by) of the dialogue takes place within of the earth, as ground itself is a the ecologies and power dynamics of the value systems of “hegemonic skin” provides a more encompassing knowledge production. liberal and neoliberal market logics, perspective of the city.5 Thus, in this In the introduction to his essay, or the dominant modes of legality paper, the city (and the rights that ‘The Right to the City’, Harvey and state action”.4 There is little Harvey ascribes to it) encompasses the cites urban sociologist Robert Park’s work being done in challenging these entire cybernetic systems of humanity, idea that the city, as a man-made normative, and self-perpetuating ecology, power and flows which wrap notions of justice, which premise the and subsume the planet. 1 Harvey, D. 2018. ‘Universal accumulation of capital and material It moves away from a cartesian Alienation’. Journal for a Global Sustainable product as fundamental rights. This is depiction of the city, in which the Information Society. Vol.16 Issue 2. p242. 2 Harvey, D. 2008. ‘The Right to the 5 Bunschoten, R. et al. 2001. Urban City’ New Lect Review. Vol.16 Issue 2. p23 Flotsam: Stirring the City. 010 Publishers: 3 lbid. p23 Rotterdam. p.19 4 lbid. p23 Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 7 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

primacy of human subjectivity is urbanisation, not only in providing Knowledge production, and displaced, and the city, as well as the a productive labour force, but also Representation as Ideology question of who or can claim rights, is in manufacturing an environment considered in terms of more dispersed that can absorb the surplus capital The processes by which this non- positions, relations, and proximities.6 that results.8 Fundamental to this is cartesian metaspace of capital what Harvey calls “accumulation by and political cybernetic structures Rossi Baidrotti describes this shift dispossession” - the process by which are rendered physical, concrete as resulting in political power’s the “commons” (a term Harvey uses to expressions and creators of urban functioning “not so much by binary include non-privatised public spaces), life are themselves political and oppositions, but in a fragmented and as well as land owned or inhabited ethical actors, in the making of the all-pervasive manner. This rhizomatic by low income populations, are ‘city’. These processes do not only or web-like structure of contemporary captured by a private sector enabled include the direct supply chains of power and its change of scale, however, by legislature. This is the process of the construction industry, but also do not alter fundamentally its terms ‘privatisation’. the mechanisms through which of application. If anything, power This is not to say that the effects of architectural and spatial knowledge is relations in globalization are more neoliberal logics are limited to the created and disseminated. ruthless than ever.”7 He suggests physical production of built form, but that the implications of this power rather that the city forms an important In his thesis, The Problem of Scale: The dynamic are capitalism’s structuring part of the rhizome of globalized City, the Territory, the Planetary, Adrian of commodified products, including free-market power structures. The Lahoud addresses the fundamental information. The creation of privatisation of the “commons” can be conventions of architectural scale knowledge, and its representations, are extended to include the disposession of as a politically determined metric. necessarily defined by profit-centric natural resources, such as water or oil, Scale is defined by hierarchical forces logics of the free market. As such, the legitimized by legal structures that that that premise the ‘ideal’ human city is not limited to the physical form operate under the morality of a free form, mechanisms of production, of the built fabric within urbanised market, in which “the rights of private or scientific paradigm that lay claim nodes, but forms, and is formed property and profit trump all other to an objective measure and form of by the rhizome of power structures notions of rights”.9 The implications knowledge.10 In doing so, Lahoud that produce, exercise, and represent of the radical dispossession of the explicates the idea that the tools ecologies of knowledge, capital, care, commons is fundamental to the through which space is understood, and political control. entire chain of production of the built measured, represented and made environment. are indivisible from a hierarchical Harvey argues that the neoliberal structure. capitalist project is fundamentally 8 Harvey, D. 2008. ‘The Right to the based on a system of accumulating City’ New Lect Review. Vol.16 Issue 2. p24 He proposes that conceptions of scale Figure 2 & 3: Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, and Le Corbusier’s ‘Modu- ‘surplus product’ in order to produce 9 lbid. p23 should be arrived at through the idea lar Man’ represent ideal proportions based on the codified ideology ‘surplus value’. He proposes that of ‘scalar individuation’, in which scale that premises an ideal notion of human form. this endeavour has become reliant as a metric emerges not as a singular on a manipulation of the process of a priori conception of embodied knowledge, but rather that it may 6 Baidrotti, R. 2013. ‘Posthuman Relational Subjectivity and the Politics of 10 Lahoud, A. 2012 The Problem of Affirmation’. Relational Architectural Ecologies Scale: The City, the Territory, the Planetary. : Architecture, Nature and Subjectivity. Rawes, (Doctoral thesis, University of Technology, P. ed. p.24 Sydney, Sydney, Australia). Retrieved from 7 lbid. p.24 OPUS database.p. 10 Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 8 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

derive from human, non-human, The ways in which we measure, [T]he constitution of the underground individual, collective, and anonymous quantify, and conceive of architectural as a frontier, as well as the specific relationships. Central to his thesis is space are not distinct from kinds of disputes that emerge the idea “that scale is both ontological geopolitical, scientific, economic, and therein, cannot be uncoupled from and epistemological, that is, it refers social relational systems. the modes of seeing and knowing to things and behaviours in the world, In ‘The Underground Frontier’, the earth that are characteristic and also to the forms of knowledge Godofredo Pereira describes how to the capitalist partnership with that make those things available for the metrics by which the earth is technoscience.15 understanding and action”.11 measured, represented, and understood are determined by forces of capital, This is to say that the technoscientific He presents an argument that is not and ‘are reformulating the ways in processes that explore, reveal, focused on a history of the use and which territorial disputes recurrently and extract at the underground concept of scale, but rather how it played out’.13 frontier are necessarily ‘predicated functions as an important mechanism Pereira proposes that the ‘underground on investments in technology and for forms of knowledge generation. frontier’ is no longer simply the space science’.16 Perreira argues that these He goes on to demonstrate that in which resources are located, but technoscientific developments have this epistemological function of the rather that has become a resource in caused a fundamental shift in our concept of scale makes clear the itself, abstracted through coded data, perception and representation of the relationship between morality and models and classifications: underground. This demonstrates representation, and explores the the notion that representation conditions and forces that conspire [A]ll aspects of the earth are made and abstraction of the physical to produce the frameworks through into resources once they are environment cannot be separated from which information is generated. The translated into datasets—the epitome the economic and political. scale in, and of, practice does not of what Heidegger described many present an a priori all-encompassing years ago as the age of the world These forms of knowledge in turn objective truth. picture, where the entirety of nature determine the parameters territorial is framed as a standing-reserve’14 agencies and disputes play out. Within [W]ith the advent of globalization and a neoliberal capitalist system, the especially the expanded networks As a result, Pereira determines that private sector plays a significant role and entangled causal chains the quantification of the underground on shaping the data that underlies that have come to characterize frontier in terms of its extractive our knowledge of the underground it, scalar categories are due for potential transforms the earth into a frontier, as well as the ways in which reconsideration. The result of this series of quantities of varying capital this information is communicated. is a re-evaluation of some of the value that define the parameters by basic parameters and descriptors which it is understood: The movement away from an objective Figures 4 & 5: CHORA develops strategies for modelling, and used to make scalar claims, putting subject that represents a kind of simulating urban scenarios, using cybernetic principles to into doubt the coherence of such 13 Pereira, G. 2015. ‘The Underground epistemic ideal is not unique, or new, develop instruments for participatory models. Operating at a accepted terms as ‘local’, ‘urban’, Frontier’. Continent. Vol.4 Issue 4. p.4 in debates of aesthetic representation. range of scales, through multiple subjectivities, technoscience ‘territory’, ‘region’, and ‘global’.12 14 lbid. p.5 The genealogy of representing is mobilized to promote the ‘right to the city’. perspective is inseparable from shifts 11 Lahoud, A. 2012 The Problem of in our fundamental understanding Scale: The City, the Territory, the Planetary. of the nature of space, movement (Doctoral thesis, University of Technology, and time. Siegfried Giedion describes Sydney, Sydney, Australia). Retrieved from OPUS database. p.11 15 lbid. p5 12 lbid. p.17 16 Pereira, G. 2015. ‘The Underground Frontier’. Continent. Vol.4 Issue 4. p.5 Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 9 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

the evolution of three-dimensional datasets conventionally employed by negotiations to inform urban planning. The Capital City Euclidian geometry of the renaissance at the underground frontier might The dissemination of information to produce an understanding of space be repositioned as urban planning gained from technoscientific mapping The 1979 general election, which brough in a that is not limited and defined by the tools that enable a broader cybernetic is fundamentally different from Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher, objective individual gaze. modelling of the rhizomatic urban the logics of the technoscienctific effectively spelled the end of the bipartisan programme environment. dessemination described by Pereira. of local authority construction that had prevailed Exhaustive description of an area Bounschoten and CHORA look to throughout the post-war years. That programme had from one point of reference is, This conception of cybernetics does ways in which technological networks ensured that almost 50 per cent of the population was accordingly, impossible; its character not conceive of natural systems, may provide the tools through accomodated by social housing by the mid-1970s.20 changes with the point from which it humanist subjectivity, or so-called which all members of the population is viewed… Space in modern physics ‘natural’ systems as occupying (including non-human actors) are In their introdcuction to Project is conceived of as a relative point independent systems.18 It attempts empowered to shape the urban Interrupted (2018), Ellis Woodman of reference, not as an absolute and to develop models of knowledge environment. and Phinneas Harper describe static entity of the baroque system production at multiple scales, The potentialfor mobilizing the dismantling of social housing of Newton. And in modern art, for the depending on specific problems. technoscience for motives not simply structures that were developed and first time since the Renaissance, a It openly acknowledges multiple driven by the need to gather data administered by local authorities in new conception of space leads to a subjectivities rather than employing for the extraction of resources at the the UK following the Second World self-conscious enlargement of our technoscientific data to reinforce underground frontier is becoming War. The ‘right-to-buy’ policies ways of perceiving space. It was the dogmas of capital accumulation an increasingly prominent realm in that overturned state-structured in cubism that this was most fully morality. which spatial intelligence can promote council housing provided a populist achieved.17 the proliferation of the right to the governmental policy through below- Chora’s dynamic systems of city, and deconstruct the dogmas market rate options for tennants to Giedion’s understanding of the masterplanning that operate of objective scales and categories of purchase their homes. dialectic relationship between simultaneously at multiple scales in scientific knowledge. our perception of physical space order to provide develop, represent, 20 Woodman, E. and Harper, P. 2018. and its depiction is indicative of and disseminate information. Introduction. In Anderson, P. Project Interrupt- the ways in which representation ed. The Architecture Foundation: London. p7 functions projectively and shapes Data are used to generate our understanding of space. information flows, and models that Figure 6: Graph illustrating the numbers of private and public Simultaneously, the metrics through use these information flows to evolve sector houses built in the Unite Kingdom, against house prices which space is represented are shaped according to the dynamics of nature from 1945 to 2010. by scientific data that is unstable and and society, to create real time open to change. representations and simulations of the complex dynamics of both nature The proliferation of information, and and human society.19 its representation fundamentally affects the ways in which we understand the This takes the form of the development rhizomatic space of the city and its of ‘cybernetic tools’ that simulate ideological power structures. prototypes and facilitate multi-agent Raoul Bounschoten’s spatial agency, 18 Werner, LC. Introduction to Con-ver- CHORA, provides encouraging sations vol. 1: Cybernetics: State of the Art. TU propositions on ways in which big Berlin. p2 19 Bounschoten, R. ‘The Second Skin 17 Giedion, S. 1967. Space, Time and of the Earth’. In Werner, LC. Con-versations Architecture: the growth of a new tradition. (5th vol. 1: Cybernetics: State of the Art. TU Berlin. edition). Harvard University Press: Cambridge, p97 Massachusetts. p435-6. Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 10 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

The context for these schemes was one market.24 similar logic of creative destruction. Figure 7: Camille Pissaro’s 1899 painting, Avenue de l’Opera, of a surplus in housing stock, allowing Although it took place under the Snow Effect, depicting a the wide avenues cleared by Haussman for the development of a combination The free-market housing developments authorship of the state rather than i a romantic impressionist light of governmental complacency, and that have taken place under the logic private development forces, the envisioning of short-term populist of “capitalists’ - especially property reconfiguration of Paris displaced electoral policy.21 owners’ - constant drive to improve working class residents in order to their moral, political, and economic cultivate a centre for bourgeoise This policy was explicitely based on position relative to other groups”25. economies of consumption that the morality of private ownership. The This positions the city as a site for placated capitalist economic and term “right-to-buy leaves little room speculative investment of surplus political motives. The structure for discussion. Further, the properties capital, driving class segregation of the extensive boulevards, cut sold at below-market rates were through inflated property prices. through the urban fabric of the city, primarily taken up by a small minority provided space for new forms of that did not need this state-funded Today, large swathes of housing stock luxury consumption - department handout, and provided an important stand empty in central London. As stores, cafes, and fashion outlets number of swing-votes for Thatcher’s of 2019, over 200 000 homes in the provided a lifestyle that could consume Conservative party.22 British capital are unoccupied for the surplus capital at a scale previously majority of the year, existing as capital unseen.27 Haussman acknowledged James Meek’s 2014 article in the investments for the ultra-rich.26 that the aim of the project was London Review of Books describes how in “absorbing huge quantities of the selling of British housing stock Even if ultimate generosity is allowed labour and capital... coupled with did not result in a reinvestment in in assessing Thatcher’s motives in the suppressing the aspirations of the alternative accomodation, but rather privatisation of the housing stock - Parisian workforce”.28 The urban left the most economically vulnerable that she believed in the market’s ability regime would ultimately result in the sector of the population in the hands to provide an adequate and steady Paris Commune uprisings, through of private development and free- supply of affordable housing - the a radicalised and disenfranchised market forces. case of London’s housing crisis clearly labour class that emerged as a direct embodies Harvey’s concept of “creative consequence. Those who did not purchase their destruction”. The disposession along council houses were subject to class lines in the name of absorbing These conditions seems to perfectly Figure 8: Boulevards cut through the Parisian urban fabric inflated rentals as a result of decreased surplus capital, and perhaps a capture the alienation described production of housing, and eventually convenient populist support group. by Marx, and restated by Harvey priced out.23 Harvey describes Haussman’s in his 2018 essay, ‘Universal gentrification of Paris as following a Alienation’. Harvey explores two The fallout from the conversion to a related conceptions of the term - one private sector, free market provision 24 Woodman, E. and Harper, P. 2018. humanist, the other scientific. The of housing has been significant. The Introduction. In Anderson, P. Project Interrupt- particulars of these distinctions are ‘trickle-down’ economic structure has ed. The Architecture Foundation: London. p8 not the focus here, but rather that resulted in a deficit in quality housing 25 Zukin, S. 2006. ‘David Harvey on the scientific conception of alienation stock, and a hugely inflated housing Cities. In Castree, N. and Gregory, D. David stated that the “objectified results of Harvey: A Critical Reader. Blackwell Publish- workers past labour actually becomes 21 lbid. p7 ing: Oxford, UK. p102 22 Meek, J. 2014. ‘Where will we 26 Beckett, A. (2019). ‘Number of 27 Harvey, D. 2008. ‘The Right to the Live?”. London Review of Books. Vol 36 no 1. empty homes in England rises to more than City’ New Lect Review. Vol.16 Issue 2. p26 23 lbid. 216,000’. The Guardian. (online). Published 28 lbid. p53 11 March 2019. Available at: https://www. theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/11/emp- ty-homes-england-rises-property Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 11 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

the ruler of the present”.29 This is to that the most significant shifts in justice across the rhizome of the spatial say that the labour produces capital, architecture since the 1980s have environment. which tends towards a market on occured in the relationships within the which class structures are formed, with building industry itself, with the focus The London-based architectural the labourer at the bottom end of the on pace and finance of construction collective Assemble is one such supply chain being dominated. The becoming the primary factor in practice, challenging the conventions concept wencompasses the notion that architectural production. Models such of patronage through self-initiated the labourer and capital forces do not as the UK’s Private Finance Initiative projects, and collaborative projects. enjoy symmetrical power relations, gift the private industry profits from Their multidisciplinary, deomcratic but rather that the alienated labourer developing social amenities, such as model allows for a large degree is somehow compelled to work to schools and hospitals, while the risk of flexibility and imgination on produce their own alienation. remainse the burden of the state.31 conceiving new projects. One such project is Granby Four Streets in Alienation, Activism and Clear argues that architecural Liverpool, which directly challenged Architectural Practice practice, at least in its conventional the proposed demolition and configuration, has relied fundamentally disposession of working class housing. In his conclusion to ‘The Right to on speculative investments and The collabotative nature of the project, the City’, Harvey looks to social infinite consumption. In the wake of establishing a shareed ownership movements to apply pressure on the the financial crisis, architects must community land trust model, and state to redefining the value systems reinvent themselves, and their modes local craft industries repositions on which rights are recognised. of practice.32 architectural practice as an act of The right to the city, as previously activism.33 explained to encompass the right I would perhaps go even further, to to agency in making and remaking suggest that architectural practice This form of practice addresses the Figure 9: Granby Workshop, developed by our environment, is key to avoiding is situated at a critical node in civil fundamental issues of rights and Assemble, in collaboration with Granby Four alienation through capital oppression society’s capacity to challenge both alienation within the making and Streets residents. The workshop mobilizes of the working classes. This would the terms of production of the city representation of the built fabric. It local skills to produce architectural ceramics. take the form of a fundamentally and control of the surplus that encourages an imagnation of a future different controls and mobilization of results. Within conventional models of making and remaking the city along both the financial surplus, as well as of patron-funded and market- democratic lines, as well as a future the”‘conditions of its production”.30 dependent projects, the architect has for architectural acts that can function been occupies a precarious position - with a greater degree of financial and In the introduction to the 79th volume financially, morally, and creatively. creative agency, and morality. of Architectural Design, Architecture aof the Near Future, Nic Clear outlines Rethinking the model of the 33 Batchelor, A. and Karakusevic, P. how architecture and the economy commission and patronage as the 2017. ‘Granby Four Streets - Assemble’. Social have grown increasingly closer over the defining factor of built work opens Housing: Definitions and Design Examples. past thirty years. In fact, he suggests up a wide range of possibilities for RIBA Publishing: London. p72 architects to mobilize skillsets of spatial 29 Harvey, D. 2018. ‘Universal intelligence that address the control Alienation’. Journal for a Global Sustainable of the production of of rights and Information Society. Vol.16 Issue 2. p245 30 Harvey, D. 2008. ‘The Right to the 31 Clear, N. 2009. Introduction to Archi- City’ New Lect Review. Vol.16 Issue 2. p39 tectures of the Near Future. Vol.79, no. 5. p6. 32 lbid. p6. Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 12 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583

BIBLIOGRAPHY Baidrotti, R. 2013. ‘Posthuman Relational Subjectivity and the Politics of Affirmation’. Relational Architec- tural Ecologies : Architecture, Nature and Subjectivity. Rawes, P. ed. Batchelor, A. and Karakusevic, P. 2017. ‘Granby Four Streets - Assemble’. Social Housing: Definitions and Design Examples. RIBA Publishing: London. Beckett, A. (2019). ‘Number of empty homes in England rises to more than 216,000’. The Guardian. (online). Published 11 March 2019. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/11/emp- ty-homes-england-rises-property Bunschoten, R. et al. 2001. Urban Flotsam: Stirring the City. 010 Publishers: Rotterdam. p.19 Bounschoten, R. ‘The Second Skin of the Earth’. In Werner, LC. Con-versations vol. 1: Cybernetics: State of the Art. TU Berlin. Clear, N. 2009. Introduction to Architectures of the Near Future. Vol.79, no. 5. Giedion, S. 1967. Space, Time and Architecture: the growth of a new tradition. (5th edition). Harvard Uni- versity Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvey, D. 2018. ‘Universal Alienation’. Journal for a Global Sustainable Information Society. Vol.16 Issue 2. Harvey, D. 2008. ‘The Right to the City’ New Lect Review. Vol.16 Issue 2. Lahoud, A. 2012 The Problem of Scale: The City, the Territory, the Planetary. (Doctoral thesis, University of Technology, Sydney, Sydney, Australia). Retrieved from OPUS database. Meek, J. 2014. ‘Where will we Live?”. London Review of Books. Vol 36 no 1. Pereira, G. 2015. ‘The Underground Frontier’. Continent. Vol.4 Issue 4. Werner, LC. Introduction to Con-versations vol. 1: Cybernetics: State of the Art. TU Berlin Woodman, E. and Harper, P. 2018. Introduction. In Anderson, P. Project Interrupted. The Architecture Foundation: London. Zukin, S. 2006. ‘David Harvey on Cities. In Castree, N. and Gregory, D. David Harvey: A Critical Reader. Blackwell Publishing: Oxford, UK. Late Capitalism’s control over Architectural Production 13 Jonathan Melamdowitz 599583



‘Umswenko’ A Constructed Network ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 2 1123127

Introduction Society can be interpreted as a system, that according to Richard Coyne organizes itself into a collection of interconnected networks or entities i.e. subcultures and ideologies. The idea of “society as a system” and “networks of all sorts”, underpins the relationship between space and belonging in architecture. A post-subcultural movement in Johannesburg, ‘Umswenko’; represents a constantly evolving network that continues to challenge the very notion of any given cultural field, and any values or systems attached to it. According to the Bubblegumclub, ‘Umswenko’ is not a protest to or against established systems or networks of culture, but ‘Umswenko’ has a way of expressing itself in the form of borrowed ideas and re-organizing, re-interpreting and re-appropriating these ideas through the collective conscious of young creatives. This notion of constructing and de-constructing ideas to create a new system or network, may be used to understand the sense of place and belonging within a field of study. ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network 3 Calvin Thoo 1123127

Integration The Systems of Society Systems Theory, according Talcott Parsons realizes on this understanding, Adaptation The Systems of Society Pattern Maintenance to Talcott Parsons (1902- that the seamless Talcott Parsons has 1979), refers to the study connected nature of formulated four possible Goal Attainment of society as a complex systems, is differentiated parameters within arrangement of elements by the way in which they which systems are Figure 1. The Systems of Society. such as individuals, groups relate to the concept of formed: Integration, Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 26-10-2019 or institutions that are time: social systems are Pattern Maintenance, relative to a complete either realized through the Goal Attainment whole. Talcott Parsons’ need to constantly create and Adaptation. The approach to defining a sense of stability in the exploration of these Systems Theory can be present, through societies parameters in relation to explored through parts consummatory nature or a design proposal of a that are either related to geared towards aspirations sports center, ‘Umswenko’, an internal environment of the future, through will form points of consisting of various societies instrumental discussion in attempts to other social systems or nature. Systems Theory utilize systems thinking as to an external, non-social can be understood as a tool for understanding environment consisting an exploration of social the sense of place and of psychic, biological systems, in association belonging. or cultural systems. It to either an internal or is evident that there is external environment a connection between a and either showcasing system and its’ associated a consummatory or environment. Furthermore, instrumental nature. Based ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 4 1123127

I. Integration Talcott Parsons refers is completely new, but still can be associated to the to the parameter of geometrically related to process of diagrammatic ‘Integration’ as an internal its’ original form or shape. manipulation. or external relationship The process of placing between an element and and re-organizing simple In Figure 2, a generic field its’ environment. Similarly, elements not only takes of study is formulated to Stan Allen (1997) explores place within the element allow for the exploration the concept of integration itself, but it also takes of the core principles of by analysing systems as a place within a defined ‘systems’, particularly from relationship between an field of study which is the perspective of Stan object and the space that it represented by the dashed Allen (1997). The process occupies. Furthermore, the square in Figure 2. As a of the manipulation of relationship between the result, Stan Allen refers simple elements in the object and its’ respective to the fact that although form of re-organization, field of study is realized in elements within a system re-interpretation and physical space through the may be manipulated, re-appropriation; may be exploration of diagrams, the core structure adopted and utilized as an that are manipulated in of the transformed important tool throughout various ways. Figure 2 elements remain relative the process of design. showcases how Stan Allen to the field in which represents simple elements they originally occur. that are re-organized Through the analyzation within themselves in order of these diagrams, the to create something that theme of movement Figure 2. A diagrammatic expression of the manipulation of simple elements. Source: Allen, S. 1999. From Object to Field. AD: Architecture after Geometry, vol.67. no 5/6, May - June, 1997. ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network 5 Calvin Thoo 1123127

A similar approach was movement of the body the opposing movement Figure 3. A diagrammatic expression of the linearity of Braamfontein. taken regarding the or an inanimate object. of the skateboarders, Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 design development of According to an article within the rigid and ‘Umswenko’, whereby written by Shawn Greyling linear environment Figure 4. A diagrammatic expression of the fluid movement of skateboarding. the relationship between (2017), there are many of Braamfontein. Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 the object i.e. the unrecognized sports such Furthermore, Greyling skateboarding culture as skateboarding that take mentions that the and the field of study place in Braamfontein. spontaneous movement of i.e. Braamfontein, were Shawn Greyling continues skateboarders challenges carefully considered. to define skateboarding the very nature of rigidity Figure 3 showcases the as an unrecognized sport and leads to the curation field of study as a series that not only boasts a of the spaces around them. of geometrical lines. The form of free-roaming, linear nature of the group free-thinking and free- of single lines represents styling; but opposes the important physical qualities rigid linearity expressed of the field of study, which in Figure 3. The idea of indicates a linear approach ‘Umswenko’ is to challenge to most of the buildings and critique this linear in Braamfontein. The notion by understanding typology of the intended the way in which a design as a sports center popular sub-culture of is geared towards the skateboarding moves concept of movement, within Braamfontein. as the practice of most Figure 4 diagrammatically sport involves the physical expresses the notion of ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 6 1123127

II. Pattern Maintenance According to an article object and the ‘activity’ The connection that published by Avancier can be referred to as exists between society, (2019), systems thinking the behavioural pattern, the material object and defines an entity that is that may possibly initiate cultural practice; according described as an interaction change within a system or to Grant Kien, creates an between actors of various field of study. According urge amongst society to roles, performing in to a YouTube video posted constantly create a sense various activities. The by Serious Science (2016), of stability or consistency article continues to Grant Kien explores over a period of time. describe the relationship society as a system through between actors and the Actor-network Theory. activities as patterns, that Grant Kien states that can transform the state the essence of society of a system or an element is embedded within the within its’ environment material object or the at any point in time. It is tools of appropriation. In clear that Talcott Parsons, this video he continues to Stan Allen and the article draw a linkage between published by Avancier, behavioural patterns consider systems as an and cultural practice, entity that consists of which is underpinned a network of elements. by a common ritual of Similarly, the ‘actor’ can routine or the theme of be referred to as the repetition and movement. Figure 5. The Array of Patterns. Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 25-10-2019 ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network 7 Calvin Thoo 1123127

In the same way that Braamfontein in Figure Figure 6 Key: 21 systems are considered as 3, is re-expressed and a network of elements; conceptualized into 1. Solid 1: Core 4 5 architecture, according the notion of a rigid Bertha St. 6 to an article published movement, that exists 2. Sold 2: Core by the MITRE Systems within the field of study. 3 Engineering Guide However, in Figure 7a – 3. Location of zone for Jorissen St. (2010), may equally 7d, the same geometrical Sports facilities. be considered as the lines are placed over a fundamental organization series of site plans of 4. Location of zone for of a system that is the intended design media and technology embodied by a network intervention, that not only i.e. home of Bubblegum of components, and their expresses the concept Club. relationship to each other of movement which is and their environment. intended to challenge 5. Linear, underlying struc- Figure 6 represents the the linearity or rigidity ture. proposed fundamental of Braamfontein, but elements of the design, diagrammatically expresses 6. Carving out within lin- ‘Umswenko’ which allows the nature of the possible earity structure to contest the architect to relate the movement patterns, that rigidity. design proposal to the may be formulated in patterns of movement relation to certain elements in Braamfontein. The of the design proposal, series of lines which ‘Umswenko’. demonstrates the linearity of the spatial quality of Figure 6. The fundemental elements of the design proposal, ‘Umswenko’. Source of base image. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 8 1123127

Jorissen St. Bertha St.Jorissen St. Bertha St. Solid 1 A The process of overlaying by the MITRE Systems stability and consistency movement patterns on an Engineering Guide (2010). with regards to the layout Solid 2 De Korte St. existing site plan forms Through the understanding of the proposed design the basis for developing of systems as a complex elements. Ultimately, this De Korte St. the best possible design organization of networks, could prove that society as intervention or solution, it is possible that the sense a system, constantly strives • Figure 7a: Two solid support structures are • Figure 7b: The position of the two solid backbones in relation to the context of place and belonging towards constructing the intended to ground the proposed building and allows for an inbetween, supported space, that of Braamfontein and may be perceived through world around itself in serve as the backbone of the structure itself. will be used for circulation and programs (A) the proposed design the infinite engagement attempts to create a sense elements. It is important that society has with the of stability, even if society to note that an infinite material object or tools is not consciously aware number of possible of appropriation, in-order of it. design solutions can be to continue to create created, diagrammatically the sense of stability or Jorissen St. Jorissen St. expressed and critiqued. consistency within human Bertha St. The possibility of cultural practice. Similarly, B infinite design solutions it is interesting that Bertha St. expresses the fact that throughout the process of MediHa u&bTech there are infinite ways of formulating the elements defining the object and of the proposed design, De Korte St. Vehicular Access the field of study within a in relation to the concept system, which highlights of movement within De Korte St. the complex nature of Braamfontein; the architect a system as mentioned has created a sense of • Figure 7c: The position of the sports facilities (B) • Figure 7d: The program of the building is sur- has been localized parallel to Jorissen Street, rounded by ‘points’ of circulation, which gives a which emphasizes an intense notion of move- sense of spectatorship throughout the building. ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network 9 Calvin Thoo 1123127

The common Goal III. Goal Attainment According to Talcott of goal attainment, belonging, in-order to The Crowd Parsons (1902- 1979), based on the behavioural achieve a specific goal. the parameter of goal patterns of crowds or Elias Canetti’s approach to Figure 8. The Crowd and The Common Goal. attainment is based on large volumes of people. the behavioural patterns Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 02-07-2019 the tendency of systems Canetti suggests that the of crowds, is not based and its’ various networks behavioural patterns of on a rigid structure of to experience directional crowds are influenced by elements within a system, changes, which cause more complex desires and but his sources of elements within the system interactions that result information are developed to constantly re-organize, in the attainment of a by understanding the re-structure and re- common goal. According complex nature of crowds: appropriate themselves to Canetti, a crowd has the crowd can be liberating in-order to create a four main attributes: as well as confining; and sense of equilibrium. the crowd wants to angry or destructive The directional shifts continuously grow, there is as well as joyous. This of changes are based on equality within the crowd, complex nature of crowds particular situations that the crowd craves density showcases the infinite may occur within the field and the crowd needs characteristics displayed of study, that either directly direction. Furthermore, by a system, based on or indirectly influence Canetti expresses the fact an infinite number of the behavioural patterns that the basis of these directional changes of a number of objects attributes is formulated experienced within the within the system. Elias around the crowds’ ability field of study. Canetti (1962) explores to constantly manipulate the concept of movement the understanding of through the dynamics the sense of place and ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 10 1123127

Jorissen St. Perspective Elevation B The Centre Piece The design proposal section through the east – and re-appropriated within Bertha St. of ‘Umswenko’ aims west axis of the proposed the design proposal. Users to create a centre piece design. In this section, the within the Braamfontein around which movement is importance of building precinct are able to filter facilitated, as represented structure is emphasized through the proposed in Figure 9. The centre within the design proposal design and not just remain piece is intended to house and is considered as a by-standers within the various sporting facilities, complex system in its’ rigid, linear spatial quality that is placed in-between own right. The building of Braamfontein. the two solid cores of the structure that facilitates building. The intention carved out spaces allows Ground Floor Plan of surrounding the sports the user to engage with facility zone with the two the architecture or system solid cores, allows for an itself. The process of efficient form of access engagement through the to this particular zone. In spatial quality of the design a sense, the centre piece proposal, allows the user of the building acts as a to reconnect to the context “common goal” which is of Braamfontein. This attainable by large volumes reconnection is achieved of people, through a clear through the simple concept visual and unobstructed of the manipulation of physical connection. Figure linear movement that is 10 represents a longitudinal re-organized, re-interpreted Figure 9. The Centre Piece. Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 1123127 11

Proposed height of design: 34m Zone of Sports Facili- Solid 1 Zone of Me- located centrally to empha- dia & Tech- size a constant notion of spectatorship In the same way that constantly adapt its’ views ‘Umswenko’ challenges and perceptions based the rigid and linear nature on directional changes, of Braamfontein, the relies on the transference infinite characteristics of of information through the crowd system cannot various tools between the be defined by a rigid or elements of the system. structured element. The crowd system acts freely Carved out space (influenced by movement of skateboarding/ within the parameter of goal attainment through Figure 10. The Building Structure as a Complex System. adaptable views and Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 perceptions that are in constant motion, which according to Philip Ball (2005), is referred to as critical mass. There is a clear sense of fluidity that underlines the way in which large volumes of people interact with their physical surroundings and within the crowd system itself. However, according to Parsons, the ability of a system to ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 12 1123127

IV. Adaptation In-order for the elements in the transference and critique the readers’ within a system to create of information from own perspectives of a sense of equilibrium, one object to another. architecture as a system. At the elements need to Latour deduces tools to the same time, the reader be able to adapt to the the essence of reading, is able to simultaneously process of re-organization, the craft of writing and create their own re-interpretation and visualization. Similarly, the perceptions of the sense re-appropriation. process of developing this of place and belonging According to Talcott research paper serves as a in Braamfontein, through Parsons, the process in tool for the transference the process of reading and which elements create of information in the analyzing this information a sense of equilibrium form of ideas that are re- in the form of image and is simultaneous and organized, re-interpreted text. demands a simultaneous and re-appropriated within act of adaptation. the design proposal of The transference of ‘Umswenko’. The collective information is a vital form of ideas can be factor of a constantly further explored through evolving system. Bruno image and text. Therefore, Latour (1990), highlights the collective information that constantly evolving is transferred from the systems are successful due writer to the reader in the to the utilisation of ‘tools’ form of image and text, and their effectiveness in an attempt to challenge Figure 11. Information Transference. Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 28-10-2019 ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 1123127 13

Furthermore, Bruno to us, but he acknowledges has intentions of creating Latour explains that the the need to utilize these an innovative culture, success of human cultural tools to constantly through the use of various practice is dependent construct the world around platforms and mediums of on the advancements in us. Latour passes this communication. According technology regarding the acknowledgement from the to the Bubblegum Club tools of writing, printing basis that the utilization website, this cultural and visualization. Latour of tools can be carried organization aims to pay believes that constant out provided that society homage to the legacy of advancements in tools or is constantly aware of the 80’s Bubblegum music technology can be used to systems and networks at which combined cutting our advantage. This belief hand. edge technology with raises an issue in the form local and international of neglect, either towards As per the longitudinal musical influences, in- the object or towards the section in Figure 10, spaces order to create a unique field of study. Stan Allen for media and technology and successful style of (1997) believes that society have been provided for. music. Ultimately, the should not utilize all the The technological aspect Bubblegum Club aims tools available to them, as of the design proposal to transform the legacy this increases the chance of ‘Umswenko’ realizes of popular modernism, of neglect towards certain the need to provide the in-order to create a new elements within a system. user with spaces to allow reality consisting of However, Bruno Latour for forward thinking and hyperstimulation and not only acknowledges innovation. The space network culture. societies constant need to would be occupied by the improve the tools available Bubblegum Club which Figure 12. The Building Structure as a Complex System. Source of image: https://bubblegumclub.co.za/ ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 14 1123127

The Centre Piece: Zone of Sports Facilities Previously, the structural the visual connection appropriation to take place. Perspective Elevation B Structure aspect of the design between the inside and However, the parameter proposal of ‘Umswenko’, outside may not be clear, of adaptation allows for Structure Polycarbonate has been described as a the façade is openable on the constant construction system in its’ own right. the ground floor, which and de-construction Polycarbonate 2: View from the oustide of the building, looking through the Figure 13 showcases how emphasizes the concept of equilibrium within a polycarbonate facade (The spaces within are exposed) the concept of movement of movement and allows system. By embracing the 1: View from the inside of the building, looking through the is integrated within the a large volume of the parameter of adaption polycarbonate facade (The structure is exposed) façade system of the everyday user to become within systems thinking design. Many buildings a spectator of sporting in architecture, the 3: Fully openable facade Facade to be openable to allow for 3: Fully openable facade in Braamfontein consist events. The adaptability connection between the (Winter) the engagement of sporting facil- (summer) of harsh external shells of the façade which is user, proposed design ities and activities during summer that do not create a sense consciously aware of and field of study may of connection between both the internal and be relevant over a longer & winter the everyday user and external environments period of time. The the built form itself. The of the building, allows prolonged sense of application of an opaque, the building to be used engagement between polycarbonate façade to throughout the year. elements may ensure a the centre piece of the It is evident that the ability strong connection to design, is intended to of systems to adapt to the sense of place and create a sense of physical their environment or field belonging. and visual absorption, of study allows for the between the everyday user process of re-organization, and the building. Although re-interpretation and re- Figure 13. The Adaptable Facade. Source of base drawing. By Calvin Thoo, 15-09-2019 ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 1123127 15

Conclusion In an article published by the Architect (2011), Toshiko Mori mentions that the discipline of architecture can contribute to a reality beyond building buildings, through the understanding of systems thinking. Systems thinking encompasses an entity of extreme complexity which can be manipulated through the process of the re-organization, re-interpretation and re-appropriation of ideas. This ongoing process can either construct or de-construct linkages between the elements within a system and in the same way construct and de-construct our understanding of the sense of place and belonging over a period of time. ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 16 1123127

Bibliography • MITRE Systems Engineering Guide. (2010). System Architecture. [Online] Available at: https:// www.mitre.org/publications/systems-engineering-guide/se-lifecycle-building-blocks/system-ar- • Buraczynski, K. (2019). Assessing Arcology through Ekistics. [Online] Available at: http://scalar. chitecture#targetText=Definition%3A%20An%20architecture%20is%20%22the,%5B1%2C%20 usc.edu/works/assessing-arcology-through-ekistics/index 2%5D.%22 • Nxedlana, J. (2015). UMSWENKO: Johannesburg’s Post Sub-cultural movement. [Online] Available • Canettti, E. 1962. “Crowd and Power”. New York: The Viking Press. at: https://bubblegumclub.co.za/features/johannesburgs-post-sub-cultural-movement/ • Wigley, M. 2001. Network Fever. Grey room 4, pp. 82 - 122. • Parsons, T. (1951). The Social System. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. • Latour, B. 1990. “Drawing Things Together,” in Michael Lynch and Steve Woolgar, eds., Represen- • Coyne, R. (2010). The Tuning of Place: Sociable Spaces and Pervasive Digital Media. London: The tation in Scientific Practice. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1990, pp. 19 - 68. MIT Press. • Latour, Bruno (2005). Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory. Oxford: • Ball, P. (2005). Criticl Mass: how one thing leads to another. United Kingdom: Arrow Books. Oxford University Press. • Coyne, R. (2019). Reflections on Technology, Media & Culture. [Online] Available at: https://rich- • Law, John (2008). Actor-network theory and material semiotics. In The New Blackwell Companion ardcoyne.com/2019/10/26/recursion-again/ to Social Theory 3rd ed., Bryan S. Turner ed. Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 141–158. • Coyne, R. (2011). Network Notion. [Online] Available at: https://richardcoyne.com/2011/10/29/ • Galofaro, L. (2017). “On the Idea of Montage as Form of Architecture”. [PDF] Italy. Facul- network-notion/ ty of Architecture and Design headquarters Annunziata, University of Camerino. • Allen, S. (1999). From Object to Field. AD: Architecture after Geometry, vol.67. no 5/6, May - • Architect. (2011). Systems Thinking in Architecture. [Online] Available at: https://www.architect- June, 1997. magazine.com/practice/systems-thinking-in-architecture_o • Greyling, S. (2019). Then & Now: Braamfontein. [Online] Available at: https://joburg.co.za/ then-now-braamfontein/ •Please Note: All images have been drawn by: • Avancier. (2019). Systems in general. [Online] Available at: http://grahamberrisford.com/AM%20 Calvin Thoo: 1123127 4%20System%20theory/Introducing%20system%20terms%20and%20concepts.htm (Unless stated otherwise) • Serious Science. (2016). Actor-Network Theory — Grant Kien. [Online] Available at: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=5Uh2UIPvIhs ‘Umswenko’ - A Constructed Network Calvin Thoo 1123127 17

THE SPECTACLE OF PARACHUTE CAPITALISM Examining spectacle and postmodern theory through China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative Alan Kow 535203

BACKGROUND In 2013, China announced its multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at competing for global dominance by stimulating their economy through the aggressive building of infrastructure around the world. This is done through both a “belt” made of overland corridors and a “road” of shipping lanes and it is often described as the 21st century silk road by modern day analysts. (Kuo and Kommenda, 2018) Now in 2019, the BRI has seen impressive success in its implementation, with the Chinese government having secured trade agreements in many countries that have allowed them to setup bases around the world for not only their own benefit but for the benefit and livelihoods of the local populaces at these nodes. The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 34 535203

INTRODUCTION China is a country that country beyond its own Chinese and also not of advertises to the world boundaries through the the local context, so what that it practices socialism use of disguised capitalism then does this category on the path to becoming methodologies. One of of architecture belong? a purer communistic state, the main methodologies I will be attempting to but through that façade I will be discussing in this answer that question by isn’t it just a vehicle for essay will be from Marxist interpreting the work of capitalism? I mean to argue theorist Guy Debord’s Walter Benjamin’s, The work the point that through the book titled Society of the of art in the age of mechanical extension and expansion Spectacle and in particular reproduction, as well as some of the Chinese state it what he mentions as the of the work from Jean becomes the perfect ‘Recuperation’. The BRI Baudrillard in his book example of what I call aims and continues to build Simulacra and Simulation. ‘parachute capitalism’ infrastructure around the – The growth of a world that is not distinctly Image 1. Showing the countries that have agreed to participate in the BRI (Herbert Smith Freehills, 2018) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 35

THE SPECTACLE “In societies dominated by modern conditions of production, life is presented as an immense accumulation of spectacles.” – Guy Debord, The Society of Spectacles The spectacle is a term survival, one that seeks others. Late capitalism (I’ll used to describe how to augment itself, in be using Fredric Jameson’s society is obsessed with that we don’t simply interpretation of it where images and appearances ‘want’ standard goods of it is not seen as the final over the reality of truth consumption anymore, we or last stage of capitalism and experience. Debord regard it as a ‘need’ for our but rather the capitalism introduces this concept survival. He then goes on of late) has encouraged post World War II to say, “That at the present us to become obsessed and uses it as a way of stage, capitalism is bringing with images above all else. critiquing the state of the about a general shift from We are not buying into situation. He states that, ‘having’ to ‘appearing’ – All the product itself but buy “Through the introduction ‘having’ must now derive the image of the lifestyle of the technological its immediate prestige and that it represents. The advances brought about its ultimate purpose from spectacle is only interested by capitalism, this meant appearances.” (Debord, in presenting us with that our basic needs to 1967) For example, we simplified mono images survival were met. Yet in believe we have a desire and this obsession. its constant need to find for the latest iPhone, that new markets capitalism we need it for the function Image 2. People watching the first ever 3D colour film in theatres(Life Magazine, 1983) had simply redefined what or that it is better than our survival meant.” (Debord, current one but instead we 1967) He argues that we are guided subconsciously now are in the pursuit of by thinking that it will a sort of differentiated improve how we appear to The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 36 535203

“The spectacle cannot be understood as a mere visual deception produced by mass media technologies. It is a world view that has actually been materialized. Spectacle is diffused throughout society; we all participate in it and are all participating in it.” – Guy Debord, The Society of Spectacles Every country that infrastructures, jobs will be alternatives and thus the colludes with the Chinese created and that economies late capitalistic machine state is then part of the will be improved but at expands and further spectacle. They buy into the heart of it all they are entrenches itself as the this notion that they are simply buying into the overriding force governing improving their own appearance of it. The our lives. countries, that through spectacle poses as the main the building of these new ideal presenting no other Image 3. Countries and companies part of the BRI spectacle(Emirates News Agency, 2017) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 37

RECUPERATION I’d like to talk about “In analyzing the spectacle, then carry on sustaining Image 5. Guerrillero Heroico (Korda, 1967) another point from we are obliged to a certain the spectacle. Debord’s work. The issue extent to use the spectacles of Recuperation and how own language, in the sense This thought process is this directly relates to that we have to operate called ‘recuperation’. When the image of China as a on the methodological faced with a movement or communist state when it is terrain of the society that a person or a certain set of anything but. expresses itself in the ideas which seek to disturb spectacle.” (Debord, 1967) the spectacle or challenge Recuperation relates to the system of capitalism how the spectacle reacts This has created a situation itself, “The ruling ideology to its subversion or the where if late capitalism or sees to it that subversive opposition of its ideals. It the spectacle is critiqued discoveries are trivialized acts as the immune system in any way, shape or form; and sterilized, after against the destruction of that the spectacle itself can which they can be safely itself. Debord claims that then absorb that criticism, spectacularized.” (Debord, the using of the spectacle’s in order to turn it against 1967) techniques is inevitable. itself and subsequently The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Images 6, 7, 8. Recuperation of Che Guvera into commodified goods (Dazed, 2016) (Lenin Imports, n.d.) (Extra Brazil, n.d.) 38 Alan Kow 535203

A good example of this values become lost people dead when it was Image 9. Socialism with McDonalds (The Red Phoenix, 2018) can be seen through a case through time to ultimately first implemented. Having study of Che Guevara, become spectacularized such a failure forced the Marxist revolutionary and this is the process of the government at the who had ideals of anti- recuperation. time to adopt and adapt capitalistic nature and other drastic policies third worldism as well China through its that eventually saved the as having fought for the formation of the Chinese nation. (Wong and Zhou, Cuban revolution before Communist Party claims 2019) The sacrifices of subsequently being to have followed Marxist those people however executed for those ideals. socialist ideals (Wong and unfortunate paved the His martyrdom provided Zhou, 2019) but does that way for modern day China the perfect platform for really follow through if we today, a China that is very rallies about class struggles analyze it today? far from the socialistic and and new consciousness I believe that through communistic ideals that it about morality and recuperation China has preaches. materiality. (Sinclair, 2019) long lost its socialist ideals. Socialism or Communism In summary, because This is where the initial have long been the enemy Socialism/Communism production of shirts in of Capitalism, their very is inherently opposed his image began. As a fundamentals don’t allow to Capitalism. It can be means to show support them to co-exist with seen that it was only a to those ideals. However each other. Yet in the matter of time before nowadays Guevara’s image Chinese case we see it recuperation managed to has been plastered all happily existing today. not only subvert the ideals over the world, t-shirts, For example, if we look of China but also that it coffee mugs, figurines at Alibaba one of the now becomes the vehicle and more. It has become world’s largest e-commerce for the image that further commercialized and so the sites run by Jack Ma spectacularizes and grows original ideas have become one of the world’s most late capitalism. Today, the disconnected from all the affluent people alive today. Chinese Communist Party political context and from This perversion of the is about as Communistic its historical substance. original Marxists ideals as the Democratic People’s Thereby, it becomes the has happened because Republic of Korea (North simplest of images far socialism was a failure that Korea) is Democratic. from the roots that created left millions of Chinese it. His anti-capitalistic The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 39

Today we are surrounded by art without really acknowledging that it is art. This phenomenon can be further expanded and explained when we decipher some of Walter Benjamin’s, The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. Using this, we will see how China’s use of the BRI is pushing for an architecture that is not Chinese and also not part of its local context. It is a mechanically reproduced architecture, an architecture that is distinctly capitalistic in its being. AFRICAN UNION HQ In Ethiopia, Addis decorated. (Pankhurst, there are some defining Image 10. The AU Headquarters opening ceremony(Xinhua, 2012) Ababa lies the building 2000) elements that stick out for the African Union The AU headquarters bares across the country. For Image 11. An example of vernacular Ethiopian architecture(Hinson, 2016) headquarters. A marvelous little to no resemblance instance, clay tiles or use of contemporary of any of these features. decorated and adorned Image 12. The Forbidden City - An example of vernacular Chinese Architecture(World materials such as concrete, Perhaps it was a mistake timber acting as the Travel Arena, 2017) glass and steel. The then? roof elements. Square building was designed or rectangular buildings with clear large geometric The design and the placed around an inner shapes and is monumental construction of the courtyard. Timber doors in its stature. But building was done by a and window frames. where does this strange Chinese engineering firm Ornamental features such architecture come from? on request by the Chinese as dragons or lions placed government. (Public Radio around to protect the Traditional Ethiopian International, 2012) If household from bad spirits. architecture can normally we play with the scenario The use of red to bring be defined as being quite that the Chinese were too luck to the area. Chinese modest in its use of proud to have localized calligraphy in rectangular materiality as well as in its the building in its context, plaques to represent the construction. Materials or that they wanted to location. (Wang, 2011) All such as compacted earth, sell the image of China these features and yet not rocks and timber were or whatever the reason. one can be seen in the AU used. Their structures Can we not then assume headquarters. normally had heights of that the building should between 1-5 stories. The have features that define The point I am trying earliest structures were it as being Chinese? So, to make is that the made in simple rectangular what is Chinese vernacular Chinese BRI is importing and square forms. Their architecture? an architecture to its larger structures were often China is one of the biggest constituent nodes around created via a subtraction countries in the world the globe that is neither process where they would and it would be difficult localized nor Chinese. dig the building out of to state how one feature What is this architecture the land. Most of their is distinctly Chinese over and where is it coming churches are colourfully another. That being said from? The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 40 535203

THE MECHANICAL REPRODUCTION Benjamin states that happens to be.” He terms lore or its tradition. Artistic due to the mechanical this unique feature that objects were historically at reproduction of art we an original artwork has as the centre of ceremony, have lost the objects the ‘aura’. For instance, items of sorcery and allure, artistic authenticity. in photography there is part of cults or objects of The authenticity of an a certain level of quality, worship and sacredness. object requires and is its ‘aura’, that cannot (Benjamin, 2008) Later on directly linked with the be reproduced through this idea was expanded into presence of the original. mechanical reproduction the appreciating of art for Therefore, he states that techniques. its beauty. The value of art “the whole sphere of lay in the object itself or authenticity is outside The photograph is an the uniqueness of the ritual technical reproducibility.” image of an image whilst that gave it its value. As (Benjamin, 2008) If it has in the case of a painting it art gets reproduced more been reproduced it no is entirely an original. and more it becomes less longer holds or has any reliant on that ritual, that authenticity. Aura arises from an ceremony of value and “That even a perfect objects uniqueness and becomes more reliant on reproduction of a work consequently of being other factors that make it of art is lacking in one close to that uniqueness. lose that uniqueness. Thus, element – its presence in The uniqueness of an the loss of aura is the loss time and space. Its unique artwork can also arise from of uniqueness. existence at the place it some place in its history, its Image 13. Ford production line due to technological advances, the mass production of cars is possible(The Balance, 2019) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 41

“The film responds to the shriveling of the aura with an artificial build-up of the personality outside of the studio. The cult of the movie star, fostered by the money of the film industry, preserves not the unique aura of a person but the ‘spell of personality’, the phony spell of a commodity.” – Walter Benjamin’s, The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction With the decreasing This process describes world for the masses to of aura or the objects exactly what is happening consume. The vision of a uniqueness, something with the African Union contemporary progressive replaces it. An imposter building in Ethiopia. country through these that seeks to fill the void These buildings that buildings is dangled by the of its predecessor with China finances and builds Chinese to our leaders. the image of what people around the world are part They bite and we are left think that such an object of the spectacle that is with buildings that hold brings them. This ties back being sold to the masses. no authenticity or aura to the earlier idea of the Benjamin states that, or uniqueness. We are spectacular. We no longer “Reproducible art is made only left with an image of buy the product for its with the intention for what we want to appear function and therefore exhibition, for the masses to be and so the capitalist these celebrities he speaks to be able to see it.” In machine continues its reign of only represent the our case the art can be of dominance except this image or the appearance replaced with architecture, time with an even stronger of the ideal lifestyle. It’s the architecture that is grip than before. authenticity long lost. mass produced around the Image 14. Advert for Cosmetics with Marilyn Monroe as poster child – they purchase for the lifestyle that Monroe has and not neccesarily for the product(Pinterest, n.d.) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 42 535203

SIMULACRA “The simulacrum is never what hides the truth – it is truth that hides the fact that there is none. The simulacrum is true.” – Ecclesiastes Simulacra is a term used three orders that happened example here. Through by Jean Baudrillard in throughout time. its misrepresentation, it his book Simulacra and The first being the ‘natural’ has the ability to create a Simulation. He gives which is associated with facade and masks the truth an example where he the age before the modern. of the reality by mimicking proceeds to “describe a “The image is a clear it so well. great empire which, as counterfeit of the real. The its territory expanded, image is recognized as just Lastly the ‘simulation’ devised a map which was an illusion, a place marker which is associated with so precise in scale and for the real.” the postmodern age. This detail that it eventually is where we are presented becomes confused for the The second being the with the simulacrum of actual geography it was ‘productive’ which is today. The representation only meant to represent. associated with the 19th is now the leader and it In other words, the map century, right in the becomes what determines became the empire.” middle of the industrial the real. (Baudrillard and Glaser, 2018) revolution. During this period the distinction Image 15. The Matrix is perhaps the closest film to represent the simulacrum and the The distinction between between the representation simulation(Manifesto, 2016) the representation becomes and the reality begin to blurred and entangled with dissolve due to the ability the reality. They are one to mass produce and make and the same. Baudrillard copies. The photograph breaks simulacra down to is again used as an The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 43

The simulacra help accepted by the masses starchitect #7, we know describe the current events as the norm. There is where the closest Starbucks of what is happening now. no longer a question of is located. Capital now whether it belongs or not, defines our identities. It In China’s attempt to it is just there. makes us placid to the expand its global influence on goings of the world through the manufacturing We have lost touch with and thus it uses our own of infrastructure around the underlying reality of technological advances, the world it starts the buildings we make and our own genius to replicate producing products that of the goods we purchase. itself and keep us at bay. are copies and imitations That is the truth that now of the capitalistic system. No longer are we involved defines our reality. That is with the process of the simulacra. This can be seen in the making the products that form of the architecture we now consume. How that accompanies it’s many people can still parachute capitalism. identify where the steel They are not buildings in our buildings comes that hold any contextual from or where their coffee relevance to the builder beans grow? We only (China) nor the intended know the images that are recipients. This product is produced and placed in already distributed around front of us. We ask for the world and thus easily the tallest skyscrapers by Image 16. Capitalism is the reality (The Guardian, 2019) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 44 535203

CONCLUSION In their fight to become a truly communistic state, one which aims to subvert capitalistic values China ends up becoming an organ to the spectacle, to the late capitalistic machine. Using parachute capitalism, China has shown that the capitalist image becomes the spectacle. The architecture produced by this capitalistic image, this spectacle is mechanical in its reproduction and thus has no authenticity, aura or uniqueness. It is simply a hollow shell whose aim is to ensure the capitalistic machine keeps us in chains. We are part of the assembly line that has no idea of the bigger picture. Capitalism is the inescapable reality we live in. The simulacra complete. The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 45

BIBLIOGRAPHY Image References Book References Dazed (2016). Jay Z in a riff on the famous Che Guevara t-shirt. [image] Available at: https:// dazedimg-dazedgroup.netdna-ssl.com/633/azure/dazed-prod/1180/2/1182429.jpg [Accessed Baudrillard, J. and Glaser, S. (2018). Simulacra and simulation. Ann Arbor: University of 29 Oct. 2019]. Michigan Press. Emirates News Agency (2017). UAE Joins 110 countries in China’s Historic ‘Belt and Benjamin, W. (2008). The Work of art in the age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Road Forum For International Cooperation’. [image] Available at: https://assets.wam.ae/ Penguin Books. uploads/2017/05/45681699984393.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Debord, G. (1967). Society of the spectacle. 1st ed. Extra Brazil (n.d.). Caneca Che Guevara. [image] Available at: https://www.extra.com.br/ utilidadesdomesticas/copos/caneca-che-guevara-10073627.html [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Jameson, F. (1984). Postmodernism, or, the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. The New Left Review, 146(1). Herbert Smith Freehills (2018). CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE: PROJECTS PAVE THE WAY. [image] Available at: https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/sites/ Pankhurst, R. (2000). Ethiopian art and architecture. Lwarenceville: Red Sea Press. contenthub_mothership/files/Website-graphics-1v2.png [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Wang, Q. (2011). Chinese architecture. New York: Better Link Press. Hinson, B. (2016). Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela. [image] Available at: https:// architecturearoundtheworld.net/architecture-spotlight-ethiopia-1bcb1f1fb8d5 [Accessed 29 Internet References Oct. 2019]. Kuo, L. and Kommenda, N. (2018). What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative?. [online] The Korda, A. (1967). Guerrillero Heroico. [image] Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/ Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/ng-interactive/2018/jul/30/ wikipedia/commons/5/58/CheHigh.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. what-china-belt-road-initiative-silk-road-explainer [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Lenin Imports (n.d.). Che Guevara Canvas Bag. [image] Available at: http://www.leninimports. Public Radio International. (2012). African Union’s new Chinese-built headquarters opens com/che-guevara-canvas-bag.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [online] Available at: https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-01-28/ african-unions-new-chinese-built-headquarters-opens-addis-ababa-ethiopia [Accessed 29 Life Magazine (1983). The Society of the Spectacle. [image] Available at: https://en.wikipedia. Oct. 2019]. org/wiki/The_Society_of_the_Spectacle#/media/File:Debord_SocietyofSpectacle.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Sinclair, A. (2019). Che Guevara | Biography, Facts, Fidel Castro, & Death. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Che- Manifesto (2016). Virtual Reality, simulation & computable universes. [image] Available at: Guevara [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. https://manifesto.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/efecto-matrix.jpeg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Wong, A. and Zhou, V. (2019). Is China socialist? A long (and better) answer. [online] Inkstone. Available at: https://www.inkstonenews.com/china-translated/china-translated- Pinterest (n.d.). Vintage ad for Westmore cosmetics featuring Marilyn Monroe, 1950s. [image] china-socialist/article/2161467 [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Available at: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/211809988694828806/?lp=true [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. The Balance (2019). Production line at Ford Motors. [image] Available at: https://www. thebalance.com/thmb/L5D26BaOL7FOHKzl-EUY0YEeqSc=/950x0/filters:format(webp)/ GettyImages-HU5905-001-5744e4bd5f9b58723d26234e.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 46 535203

The Guardian (2019). The goal is to automate us. [image] Available at: https://www.theguardian. com/technology/2019/jan/20/shoshana-zuboff-age-of-surveillance-capitalism-google- facebook#img-4 [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. The Red Phoenix (2018). Socialism but with McDonalds. [image] Available at: https:// theredphoenix.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/4.png [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. World Travel Arena (2017). The Forbidden City. [image] Available at: https://worldtravelarena. com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/forbidden_city-2.jpg [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Xinhua (2012). The opening ceremony of the African Union headquarters built by China in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [image] Available at: https://www. thenational.ae/image/policy:1.711595:1520589972/WEB-wo10-china-africa. jpg?f=16x9&w=1200&$p$f$w=c196d95 [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019]. Research Avenues General list of avenues taken by author to conduct research (with result in brackets): 1) Wits Architecture Library Online and Offline (Many books) 2) Wits Architecture Professors (Guidance and direction) 3) Google Scholar(Research) 4) Google and Google Images (Resource Gathering) 5) Pinterest (Resource Gathering) The Spectacle of Parachute Capitalism Alan Kow 535203 47

Architectural augmentation The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect Danilo Deletic 321081

“I feel however, that we architects have a special duty and mission... to the socio-cultural development of architecture and urban planning.” “Technological considerations are of great importance to architecture and cities in the informational society.” Kenzo Tange Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect Danilo Deletic 2 321081

Introduction The definition of the word Through this discussion an The purpose of this is essay is augment is to make an explanation of this statement to contribute to the ongoing entity or idea greater or will be presented. The use of discussion surrounding more effective by adding automation and algorithmic the “Digital Culture” in another entity or idea to technologies in the design architecture. The idea of it. The concept of Human process, within the field of augmentation is slowly Augmentation is the architecture specifically, will becoming a reality in many cohesion between man and be looked at through the lens aspects of our human lives; machine, to enhance the of a disconnected architect. therefore, it is in our interest productivity and capabilities The theme of “Tool Maker to approach this part of our of the human body; versus Tool User” is analyzed profession in a fully “hands Architectural Augmentation to explain the pragmatics of on” manner. is the alignment of man and the creation and application machine, to enhance the of these technologies, and fig. 01. The iconic image of construction workers having their lunch process of design through how they will be beneficial to break modified to illustrate the cohesion betwween man and machine. algorithmic analysis and the architectural field. What automated principles and are the ramifications of the parameters. cycle of production and use? This essay intends to develop Has the line between tool and an agenda, for the inclusion user become blurred, have we of the architect, in the design become one? and development process of The current habits of the future digital architectural architectural profession will technologies. Through a set be scrutinized and possible of themes, it will challenge alternatives presented. current technologies, highlight The habits of society are opportunities and envision quantifiable due to the fact possibilities. that society is a system, this The focal point of means that a large-scale Architectural Augmentation, analysis of social intricacies that will be discussed, is and tendencies can provide specific to the paradox of copious amounts of data to the architect in society. enhance the design process. Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect 3 Danilo Deletic 321081

Rethinking Augmentation As already stated, the concept modernist ideologies. and networks”. He might of augmentation is to ‘We have never been feel this way since people enhance the qualities of an modern’ is Bruno Latour’s are inherently proud of object or idea through the (1991) way of questioning their ideas, a preservation process of addition. In the these ideologies. Looking of individual thought, bred case of architecture, we need at the way in which Latour from the modernist approach to view it as a set of ideas sequentially breaks down for the individualism and the that produce object. The the notions of modernity, need to innovate. process of design, a complex thereby concluding that This is why a collaboration system, needs to be broken Modernism as a movement of fields is necessary if we down into a series of simple was flawed from its inception, are to question and possibly and understandable principles gives us a base from which reconstruct every theory and if we ever hope to enhance we can start unravelling the philosophy presented through its’ qualities. Gordian knot of design. This our time. In his book ‘Algorithmic is an extremely important Just the thought of this Architecture’ Kostas Terzidis realization, it forces us to daunting task is enough to (2006) does just this. The question any principles we set one down the path of process of breaking the have created for ourselves nihilism, but this is where word “design” down to its throughout time. technological development linguistic roots, is his way To even begin a process of and the advent of of simplifying this complex this magnitude a collaboration computation can be extremely system. The constant between all fields of useful. This is the reason wants of current design intellectual development must for my choice of the word to innovate is something be established. Maybe a boat augment when approaching that is antithetical to its trip around the Mediterranean the topic of computation needs. What design needs is in order. The thought- in architecture. The way I is a cyclical process of provoking discussions had by understand it is that it is not transformation. Through Buckminster Fuller, Marshall only augmentation within overlapping, reinterpretation McLuhan, Constantinos the realm of technology and the constant shifting Doxiadis and a diverse group we should explore, but from one state to another of intellectuals on a boat an augmentation between design is generated. Design sailing around the Greek ourselves. The rethinking is an accumulative process islands created a platform augmentation. that transcends any single from which everyone of generation. It is a collective these fields, in my opinion, fig. 02. The idea that the augmentation of individuals minds into a collective creates “hive mind” system that benefited. From Wigley’s the opportunity to enhance our understanding of oursleves and the world around us. has no origin nor end. The point of view in his Article audacious thought of design ‘Network Fever’ (Wigley, M as novelty, or creation out 2001) it only bred “the radical of nothing, is a concept that confusion of architecture has been developed through Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect Danilo Deletic 4 321081

The Habit of Architecture Habit is something that set of rats (implanted with a Scientists call this process If we had to correlate the rat This leads me to understand and theories, passed on is intrinsically a part of neuro-sensor) and a T-shaped chunking, and the reason in a maze to an architect with that as we get older and more through generations. Without any system. Looking at maze with a chocolate at one I am mentioning it at all is a brief, and the finding of the “experienced” the chunking even being conscious of it we the development of our end. The rats were placed in because I believe it has an chocolate to the final design equivalent in architecture have developed a base for our philosophies and principles the maze, and initially the rats enormous role to play in the product; it would be safe to would be the design profession that is automated. as a society, one must would wander around the design process. Picture the assume that the process of development process. This is We are already designing understand them as a product maze sniffing and scratching, approach one takes to any scratching and sniffing is problematic as this is the core using computational of habit. Habit in the way trying to discern where design problem. Everyone has directly proportional to the of the architect. This is the philosophies, just with a far we use preceding ideas and the chocolate they could their own way of design but design process. base of all our philosophies inferior tool. theories to develop on newer smell was. While they were as a process it would generally E ones. Habit in the way we wandering and searching go something like THIS: grow comfortable from the the sensors in their heads Brief → Concept → understanding and meaning were alight with activity. As Programming → Massing these theories give, to our the experiment progressed, → Design Development lives and our professions. the rats stopped sniffing → Critique → Design Habit in the way we and scratching, they began Development → Critique approach design, specifically to move through the maze → Design Development architectural design. with precision and accuracy, → Critique → Design Developing habit is completing the maze Realization → Final Product unavoidable, its all- quicker with every attempt. encompassing presence can The sensors in the brain be observed throughout however showed something nature. “We are, all of unexpected. The mental us, creatures of habit…” activity of the rats had with this quote by Edgar Rice each attempt decreased. The Burroughs emphasizes this path they took became more sentiment and by using the automatic, more habitual, word creature he denounces inversely the amount of the delusional idea by some thinking decreased. If you that we are anything but a had to map out the process system within nature. it would generally look Over two decades ago, something like THIS: Neuroscientists in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences 1.Rat in Maze → Smells Chocolate → Searching → Mistakes department at MIT and Wrong Turns → Searching → Mistakes and Wrong Turns conducted an experiment → Searching → Mistakes and Wrong Turns → Searching → (Duhigg, C 2012). The Finds Chocolate experiment consisted of a 2.Rat in Maze → Smells Chocolate → Searching →Less S Mistakes and Wrong Turns → Searching → Finds Chocolate fig. 03. A maze constructed using algorithmic process in 3.Rat in Maze → Smells Chocolate → Searching → Finds collaboration with a human designer. Kaplan, C (2005) Chocolate 4.Rat in Maze → Finds Chocolate Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect 5 Danilo Deletic 321081

Tool Maker vs Tool User Consider for a second evident in mass production architect’s vision to a digital process is what helped pave inclusion of the architect in design process of our tools, the historical process of lines where robotics and platform that can be viewed the way for Social Media the process of tool making. and possibly learn from the tool creation. What is the automation have become the and understood by the world. Systems. These systems can We need to develop our mistakes of overzealous oldest known tool to man? go to. Automation breads Latour (1990) speaks about be extremely useful in our architectural tools in a similar predecessors. Thereby According to the Smithsonian automation. “First we build the power of “image and profession and their potential fashion to the transition potentially closing the gap National Museum of Natural the tools, then they build us.” text” stating that it defines has stagnated much like our from rock to computer in the between Tool Maker, Tool History in Washington, D.C, This statement by Marshal modern scientific culture. ability to create tools of infographic (Figure 04). The User and Tool in our field of the earliest tools we are aware McLuhan ‘Understanding I believe the process of significance. point I want to make here study. of originated more than 2.6 Media’ (1964) is extremely transitioning the immutable This brings me to the is that we are theoretically mtoiolllisown eyreearpsreadgoom(1)i.nTanhtelsye relevant in this context. into the mobile is what truly conclusion of this chapter still at the level of Primitive fig. 04. An amusing made of stone “These 2.The Tool User & the Tool: defined modern scientific and will lead into the final Spear, maybe Axe, Hammer infographic that represents the Oldowan toolkits include With reference to the culture. In todays society theme for this essay. The & Anvil if we are being evolution of our tools. Hinting at hammerstones, stone cores, previous quote our role as image and text are created, future of architectural tools generous. This gives us a the future as that of computation. and sharp stone flakes...”, the current users of our own shared and absorbed in needs to start with the wonderful opportunity to offcuts of bits of the earth. tools in this system becomes the blink of an eye. This involve ourselves in the The 2.6-million-year evolution extremely blurred the further of ourselves and our tools down this road we go. is, in my opinion, relatively Eventually we will be both the skewed. The process started tool and the user which is an off as a directly proportional interesting concept and will graph, but with the invention be further discussed in the of the engine the evolution next section of this essay. Our of our tools abruptly constant need for progression surpassed our own. This is as a society has transmuted us due to mass production and into a supercritical state (2). the industrial revolution. To bring this back to What does this mean for the architecture and the future of the tool maker, the computation of the design tool user and the tool? Let’s process we must analyze break this down into two our place as architects in categories and discuss them this process. The history separately: of architectural tools is 1.The Tool Maker: interesting since it hasn’t Similar to the rapid undergone the rapid evolution disconnection between that many of our other tools ourselves and our tools, I have. The function of our believe there will be a point tools, be they pen and paper in the near future where we or Computer Aided Drafting as the tool maker will become (current C.A.D systems) irrelevant. This is already software, has always been about the transition of the Architectural Augmentation: The Paradox of the Disconnected Architect Danilo Deletic 6 321081