About Buildings + Cities 109 — Rem Koolhaas's Delirious New York — 2/3
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Nov 6, 2023 Discussion of Rem Koolhaas's vision of skyscrapers as portals to unconventional activities, his unique approach to expressing thoughts through writing style, significance of three skyscrapers from Interwar period, reduction of images in the book and unbuilt project for a church with a massive parking garage. Also, exploration of laughing gas, hydraulic jacks, and Diego Rivera's murals, and the commissioning of a major artist for unique perspectives in architecture.
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Koolhaas's Skyscraper
- Rem Koolhaas's ideal skyscraper is spatially and programmatically complex, not just tall.
- It houses diverse activities in close proximity, concealed by an ambiguous facade.
Skyscraper as Ideology
- Koolhaas views skyscrapers as pragmatic objects concealing radical reimaginings of city life.
- He sees them as potential for diverse lifestyles and ideologies within a single structure.
Waldorf Astoria's Evolution
- The Waldorf Astoria's history illustrates Koolhaas's concept of "borrowed reality."
- It evolved from a house to a hotel, changing locations and incorporating remnants of its past.