Theory in any discipline is about the perspective and understanding of an individual, which continually evolves over the course of time in reflection of education and self-reflection. In this way, theory is essentially about continually reevaluating the perspective based on continual collection of thoughts and ideas on the subject, utilizing new information to reflect on the previous perspective and understanding.
Within the film ‘REM’, three architectural analyses – snapshot of time, two lives of a building, and public perception – influence the interpretation of architecture and spaces, and provide influences on architectural inquiries.
‘REM’ acts as a snapshot of time of Rem Koolhaas and OMA, exploring history and context that influenced Koolhaas and OMA and how that relates to their designs. Each architectural theory and practice is a snapshot of time, of the social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological status of the time frame. By understanding the architect and architecture in regards to their context, we are able to understand the spaces design from the perspective of the architect and contextual architectural theory and practice. Architectural inquiries are also a manifestation of a snapshot in time, since inquiries capture the current understanding or lack of understanding on that topic based on current social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological status. By this thinking, that inquiry could not have been made any sooner and would be unnecessary later on.
“A building has at least two lives – the one imagined by its maker and the life it lives afterward – and they are never the same.” – Rem Koolhaas
The quote above by Koolhaas speaks to a relevant occurrence within architecture. Architects design an intended use, however the public’s perception of space changes how a building lives. For example, the opening scenes of ‘REM’ feature a freerunner utilizing the building in a completely different manner that then intended use. This highlights the necessity for architects to keep in mind their understandings of space in comparison with the public’s perspective throughout the design process. This design awareness affects architectural inquires by pushing designers to think past the intended use and see a design’s value through outside perspectives.
In continuation of a building’s two lives is the public’s perception displayed in ‘REM’ by the interviews of the homeless individuals discussing the Seattle Central Library. These interviews opens a discussion about the public perception of space based on their individual wants and needs, making each understanding of space a personal interpretation. This discussion becomes crucial to architectural inquiries by asking the question of how the everyday user perceives architectural design, other than the intended message laid out by the designer.
REM Poster: https://alycat.art/posters, Less More: hunch: the Berlage Institute report, No. 6/7 summer 2003
Each theory, practice, and inquiry holds opportunities to make connections between their interpretations. Below are a few connected interpretations between ‘REM’ and ‘Less More’ by Rafael Gomez-Moriana.
What is OMA after Rem Koolhaas? | Less Hype More Substance
‘REM’ and ‘Less More’ relate on this topic of lessening the hype and focus on the individual – in this case Rem Koolhaas – and instead put that focus towards the process and transformation of architectural design, for OMA’s practice in this instance. It is about taking the ‘celebrity’ notion out of architecture, and focusing on the substance of design.
Architecture is not linear, however it is a continual education process. | Less Academicism More Research
‘REM’ and ‘Less More’ relate on this topic of continual education because the reality is that the profession should not be wrapped up in the academicism of architecture, but however should be researching to continue their education about the field to further the design profession.
Not just asking the right question but also recognizing the right answer? | Less Output More Input
‘REM’ and ‘Less More’ relate on this topic of output and input because there are a multitude of outputs, however the profession needs to focus on the quality of the input of design. A notion of recognizing quality over quantity.
Beyond the understandings of space, architectural interpretations throughout ‘REM’ and ‘Less More’ connect in ways that influence the architecture profession’s theories, practices, and inquiries. Thus allowing for architects to continually reflect and reevaluate their perspective and understanding, evolving their architectural theories.
S Senninger 