Architects’ Homes: Consistency and Contradiction
Posted: March 1st, 2010 | Author: Ali Karimi | Filed under: ali karimi, issue_4, respond, student voice | 2 Comments »
In his life Louis Kahn built monumental works of architecture that exuded a sense of harmony and spiritual clarity. This oeuvre however, was in stark contrast to a turbulent personal life which included great debts and three different families/wives. This nomadic lifestyle prompted questions after his death, and the seemingly contradictory nature of his life and work. Are an architect’s creations representative of their principles ? Do the values an architect embodies in his work translate to the values they have for their homes?
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in this edition, architect and assistant professor gernot riether is questioned about digital design, bernard tschumi’s paperless studio at columbia’s gsaap, global architecture, and his time with powerhouse architecture studio- reiser and umemoto.
Understanding Moore’s Law and its related counterparts, we understand that technological advance is measured exponentially, not linearly. Moore’s Law, specifically, states that transistor speed will double for the same price/size every 18 months. It is no mistake that new computer products are released almost as regularly as new cars. In about a year to two years, technology, like clockwork, will advance enough to make something two times more powerful for the same price. What excites me is to see new functions and gadgets come out, knowing full well that they are starting their journey up the Moore’s Law curve. Below are a few examples that will absolutely make a difference in your life.
Directly to the west of the Georgia Dome is one of Atlanta’s oldest historically African American neighborhoods. Vine City became popular after the 1917 Atlanta fire, which destroyed parts of another black community in Atlanta, Sweet Auburn. Adjacent to Atlanta University and Morris Brown College, Vine City hit its peak as the center of Atlanta’s black community in the 1940’s and 50’s. As job and housing opportunities for blacks improved in the late 50’s, the wealthier residents moved out of the Vine City area, causing a severe economic decline. The 60’s brought demonstrations, Martin Luther King Jr., and increased attention, but the neighborhood continued its slide into poverty. From the mid-60’s forward, talk of revitalizing the neighborhood was common, but no actions were ever taken. In the late 80’s, the neighborhood civic association fought against the impending Georgia Dome to no avail. The dome is not quite the eyesore residents had feared, but neither did it bring a promised economic upturn. The Vine City Civic Association commissioned a lengthy revitalization plan, published 2004, but nationwide recession has prevented any further movement forward. 
Recessions are usually good times to look back, think and reevaluate. Recessions are also to be known as mother of inventions. What we need to think is why we are where we are. As students and architectural schools overall we need to think how we can change this situation. We are in a position that we can judge better since we are not involved in the industry and we are definitely not the ones who created this mess.