tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post3032268884298899589..comments2024-03-27T06:24:30.922-04:00Comments on A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books: AE11: New Wave BunkersJohn Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14842328320680692310noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-31335532490057038952013-12-12T03:43:35.309-05:002013-12-12T03:43:35.309-05:00Reading about bunkers reminds me of Israel too, I ...Reading about bunkers reminds me of Israel too, I lived there for a few years in my 20’s and we had a leisure room in a bomb shelter where we would watch TV and hang out. Using them as a storage area is quite an interesting idea – imagine if the world and all of us were obliterated one day, who is going to be around to discover these things?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03517697216674188837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-67681259044447561952009-03-10T12:29:00.000-04:002009-03-10T12:29:00.000-04:00I find this post especially pertinent in regards t...I find this post especially pertinent in regards to the dynamic characteristics of each type of bunker described in this post. The first question I have considers which architectural elements of the original Federal Reserve Communications and Records Center were preserved in the adaptation that exists today. While I applaud the architect’s willingness to revise an outdated architectural form, I have to question whether or not this project is technically considered a full renovation rather than an adaptive reuse. The recyclable qualities that are inherently associated with adaptive re-use are not commonly affiliate with renovation. I imagine that the construction elements that make a “nuke proof” bunker actually nuke proof would be extremely large in size and not easily capable of renovation. Also, what qualities of the Reserve bunker’s structural elements are in any way applicable to the programmatic needs of a library? At first glance, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (see image at right) looks like an unbelievable project. Its simple diagrammatic design is clearly correlated to the function of the system. As the design of the structure is clearly magnificent, I have to question the practical relevance of a building like this. As you mention yourself, in the even of a global meltdown or catastrophic geothermal collapse, what good is a giant population of plant seedlings going to do? In other words, while the architecture of the vault is effective in its protective qualities, beautiful design, and responsiveness to its surroundings, it is important to question whether the building needs to exist in the first place. While an architect is obviously not going to pass up a job opportunity, it is part of the architect’s role to question the intentions of a project and bring the most out of an assignment. Regarding the Capital Visitor’s Center, I have to wonder whether the underlying reason for subterranean construction is safety related. After looking at the images, I can’t imagine the addition providing too much protection from terrorist attack. I see the design choice having more to do with appropriating programmatic elements in relevant spaces without disrupting the function of the adjacent Capital Building. As you mention in your post, the reason to construct below ground might have to do with the architect not wanting his building to compete with the Capital Building itself. This is obviously the case. The visitor’s center to the Capital Building is just that, the visitor’s center. Any attempt to contend architecturally, spatially, or figuratively was never an option.Kevin Kleinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04423410141266038081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-21582830816264345742009-03-08T12:40:00.000-04:002009-03-08T12:40:00.000-04:00Delpolo - Thanks. His photos are remarkable, remin...Delpolo - Thanks. His photos are remarkable, reminiscent of Virilio's bunkers shots along the Atlantic Wall.<BR/><BR/>Dina and eBohn - Your points show how my take is very US-centric. If I would have extended my thinking further I probably wouldn't have stated that underground safety is no longer tenable or that bunkers are historical remnants. I hope this doesn't mean I'm becoming culturally ignorant!John Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842328320680692310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-14435525108032658262009-03-08T09:49:00.000-04:002009-03-08T09:49:00.000-04:00To me, "bunker" is not in the slightest a musty, o...To me, "bunker" is not in the slightest a musty, outdated term. Rather, it calls to mind Bunker-Busters and other fine postmodern killingry!eBohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15094855245959233770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-8912305386433870802009-03-07T06:43:00.000-05:002009-03-07T06:43:00.000-05:00oh i do have to say i despise the white house...oh i do have to say i despise the white house...abba sillarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16607476895247041699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-12248516202087670572009-03-07T03:18:00.000-05:002009-03-07T03:18:00.000-05:00This is all so interesting for me, living in Israe...This is all so interesting for me, living in Israel, where "bomb" shelters are below ground, on the ground, and now even in each new apartment.<BR/>And a friend here just down in the woods made her little home in a cave. Now it is illegal to live in caves, i.e. sleep in them. <BR/>Come on over and do some bunker research for an article!Dinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531343.post-63147749156289866332009-03-07T03:01:00.000-05:002009-03-07T03:01:00.000-05:00As far as bunkers are concerned you may want to ha...As far as bunkers are concerned you may want to have a look on Leo Fabrizio's photographic work.<BR/>Have a nice day !Léopold Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03947076320670854055noreply@blogger.com