Jane Jacobs, among others, discussed the importance of mixed uses in urban settings. It is a concept that is honored often in post-post modern architectural thinking, but its execution always reflects a narrow range of uses and activities. Craft manufacturing and artisanal industries are the desired occupants in this mode of design. The classic arrangement of the ground-level shop surmounted by residences has a definite value.
But, we have committed ourselves to manufacturing systems that depend on large scale equipment like the chemical factory pictured here. Nothing I can imagine would make this a good addition to anyone's neighborhood. There may be a point in the future where we don't have things like this.
On a side note, I find this chemical plant interesting looking, but unlike some of the industrial architecture of the past, this will probably never have a second use.
No comments:
Post a Comment