About Buildings + Cities 121 — Rem Koolhaas's SMLXL — 2/4
Feb 12, 2025
Delve into the chaotic yet coherent themes of architecture through Rem Koolhaas's work. Explore the evolution of prison design, from historic panopticons to modern rehabilitation methods. Discover the tension between architectural ambitions and societal realities, highlighted by a building's troubled legacy. Enjoy a creative critique of design through a comic narrative, and uncover how cyberpunk aesthetics influence urban proposals. The discussion emphasizes the playful and innovative aspects of contemporary architecture.
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Panopticon Prison Reimagined
- The panopticon prison is a powerful geometric form but considered outdated for progressive rehabilitation.
- Koolhaas's design excavates underneath it, adding new facilities while retaining its iconic shape.
Berlin Housing and City Ideas
- The Internationale Bauausstellung housing projects in West Berlin show exploration of urban density and postmodern city concepts.
- Koolhaas's work mixes historic and modernist ideas to address the shrinking city conditions of West Berlin.
Dutch Parliament Competition Design
- The Dutch Parliament competition design by OMA was visually striking but complex and challenging to understand or build.
- The proposal mixed constructivist geometry with historical context, breaking traditional forms with inventive assemblages.