Week 7 Readings: Megaform & Educator

In response to Frampton's "Megaform as Urban Landscape:


The difference between a megaform and a megastructure is the relative continuity in form. So basically saying a megastructure can reside within a megaform. Frampton begins to describe what exactly makes a megaform, a megaform. A major characteristic of a megaform is that it is a large for that extends horizontally rather than vertically. As well as a form that is orientated towards the densification of the urban form. What really makes megaforms directly related to creating great public spaces is how megaforms relate to the surrounding topography. This almost creates natural spaces in which people may gather. I found how the Baker Dormitory in Cambridge, designed by Aalto connects to the Charles River and has this continuation of form to be very intriguing. The almost direct form and "path" if you will, that the building creates with the topography is spectacular. The ideas of long term stability and creating a group form developed by Maki and Ohtaka create a new kind of look on the megaform.

In response to Borden's "Another Pavement, Another Beach: Skateboarding and the Performative Critique of Architecture":

I found this article to be one of the more interesting ones we have read through out the year. Primarily because skateboarding has always been an interest of mine, and I find it very fascinating. What may be surprising is that I don't skateboard all that well myself, however I still understood many of the relationships the author kept making between the modern city and skateboarding. The relationship between the skateboarders and their urban environment is starting to bring up new ideas on how architecture can not only create an environment in which the general public can enjoy but as well as the skateboarding community. Skateboarding could only happen in the modern city, as opposed to the renaissance or medieval city for many reasons. For one the architecture of those times did not provide applicable space for the moves and such that skateboarders often attempt. One obvious reason that i feel is the most important that the author seems to leave out is roads and street conditions. The roads of today are often paved with asphalt or concrete, and these materials are best for the skateboard. In the case of prior generation cities the roads were often dirt, cobblestone, or gravel. All of which are basically impossible to skateboard on.