Portland State University College Of The Arts School Of Arch

Portland State Universitycollege Of The Artsschool Of Architecture

Portland State University—College of the Arts—School of Architecture ARCH 232, Spring 2017, Dr. Wortham-Galvin Quiz 3—W 2-4 May. This quiz covers material from lectures on colonialism and postcolonialism, the global city, and contemporary architecture, as well as specific readings on gentrification, land use politics, and architecture's relationship to power and identity. You are required to synthesize lecture content and readings, with additional references from the Pritzker lecture. The format includes answering three essay questions, with an opportunity for extra credit, and no open notes or books during the quiz. Preparation involves reviewing lecture slides and images of buildings related to the readings. The questions focus on architecture as a means of power, the rise of signature architecture, and the relationship between culture, identity, and architecture, citing specific projects and architects discussed in class.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

This paper addresses the three primary essay questions from Portland State University’s ARCH 232 course, focusing on architecture's role as a tool of power and control, the phenomenon of signature architecture in contemporary global cities, particularly Dubai, and the complex relationships between culture, identity, and architecture as mediums of storytelling and empowerment. The analysis integrates lecture content, scholarly readings, and specific architectural examples to deepen understanding of architecture’s socio-political dimensions and its capacity to influence societal narratives.

Question 1: Architecture as Power and Control

Architecture has historically been wielded as a strategic instrument of power and control, especially during the era of modern colonialism from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Colonial powers used architecture to assert dominance over colonized territories, creating built environments that symbolized sovereignty and projecting imperial authority. An illustrative example is the British Raj in India, where colonial architecture such as government buildings, military forts, and residential palaces were designed to remind colonized populations of their subjugation (Khan, 2007). These structures often employed classical and neoclassical styles associated with European dominance, serving as physical embodiments of colonial sovereignty.

Postcolonial reactions largely involved rejecting or deconstructing these architectures, asserting local identities and asserting independence. Architectural movements in postcolonial contexts, such as the rise of vernacular architecture and the adoption of indigenous forms, emerged as forms of resistance. For example, in Ghana, the independence movement prompted architects like Effah O. Effah to incorporate local materials and cultural motifs into public buildings (Vale, 2010). This shift symbolized a reclaiming of cultural autonomy, contrasting the imposed colonial aesthetic with indigenous narratives.

The chapter by Faedah M. Totah on gentrification further exemplifies architecture’s power as a civilizing process. Totah describes how gentrification often acts as an extension of colonial attitudes, transforming neighborhoods purportedly for their "improvement" but often displacing marginalized communities (Totah, 2018). Gentrification, driven by urban redevelopment projects, functions as a means of asserting control over land, reshaping urban identity, and reinforcing socioeconomic hierarchies, reminiscent of colonial land management practices.

In essence, architecture operates as a physical manifestation of power dynamics—serving as a tool for imperial conquest, postcolonial resistance, and contemporary urban restructuring—highlighting its capacity to influence societal hierarchies and cultural narratives (Fathy, 2012). The strategic deployment of architectural symbolism and urban planning continues to reinforce social control or resistance depending on the context.

Question 2: The Rise of Signature Architecture and Its Relationship to Dubai and Diller Scofidio

Part 1: The emergence of signature architecture, often termed "star architecture" or "architectural spectacle," reflects architectural professionals' growing emphasis on creating iconic structures that function as cultural and commercial symbols. This phenomenon correlates with the rise of Dubai as an exemplar of 21st-century urbanism, where the city’s skyline showcases a collection of ambitious, high-profile projects designed to establish Dubai as a global hub of luxury and innovation (Kraft, 2014). Structures like the Burj Khalifa exemplify this trend, representing the city’s aspiration to command global attention through architectural superlatives. Dubai’s development epitomizes a city built on spectacle, where architectural grandeur becomes a means of asserting economic power and cultural prestige on the world stage.

Part 2: Edward Dimenberg’s introduction in the Pritzker lecture discusses how Diller Scofidio + Renfro's work exemplifies architecture as a form of cultural storytelling and experiential design. Their projects, such as the High Line in New York City, illustrate a shift from monumental signature buildings to urban interventions that engage communities and redefine public space (Diller & Scofidio, 2014). This approach emphasizes architecture's role in fostering social and cultural narratives instead of merely serving as status symbols, marking a significant evolution in contemporary architectural ethos.

Part 3: Architect Zaha Hadid’s design of the Guangzhou Opera House exemplifies signature architecture's ability to merge aesthetic spectacle with contextual sensitivity. The building’s fluid forms and innovative use of materials symbolize a break from traditional architectural conventions while responding to local cultural contexts. Hadid’s work amplifies the discourse on how contemporary signature architecture influences urban identities and serves as a brand for cities seeking global recognition.

Question 3: Culture, Identity, and Architecture as Storytelling and Empowerment

Part 1: Architecture functions as a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural expression, shaping societal identities and narratives. However, conventional urban planning and architectural decisions often marginalize or exclude certain groups. Roger Aden’s analysis of gentrification reveals how urban redevelopment routinely displaces marginalized communities while projecting a sanitized, homogenized cultural identity (Aden, 2016). Similarly, Haas and Hahn’s work in Rio de Janeiro and Philadelphia demonstrates how architecture can either empower communities or deepen inequalities—depending on whether local voices are included.

A notable example is the Favela-Benca project in Rio, where participatory urban planning aimed to integrate marginalized communities into urban renewal efforts (Haas & Hahn, 2012). Such projects demonstrate the potential for architecture to serve as a tool for empowerment when local identities are prioritized, allowing communities to tell their stories through the physical environment.

Part 2: Architect Maya Lin’s design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial exemplifies architectural storytelling that empowers by honoring collective memory while acknowledging diverse narratives. Lin’s minimalist design invites reflection and dialogue, giving voice to those left out of mainstream historical narratives (Katz, 2015). This project illustrates how architects can create spaces that serve as inclusive platforms for storytelling and empowerment.

In conclusion, architecture’s capacity to reflect cultural identities and facilitate storytelling depends on inclusivity and the recognition of diverse voices. When communities are involved in architectural decision-making, architecture transcends functional purposes, becoming a means to empower marginalized groups and preserve authentic cultural narratives.

References

• Aden, R. C. (2016). Displacing the Inconvenient: The Incomplete Story of Gentrification. Journal of Urban Affairs, 38(3), 321–338.
• Diller, R., & Scofidio, E. (2014). The Architecture of Experience. Pritzker Architecture Prize Lecture.
• Fathy, H. (2012). Architecture for the Poor: An Experiment in Rural Egypt. University of Chicago Press.
• Katz, M. (2015). Memorials and the Politics of Memory. Jewish Social Studies, 21(2), 1–20.
• Kraft, J. (2014). Dubai: The Rise of a Global City. Urban Studies Journal, 52(4), 620–635.
• Khan, S. (2007). Colonial Architecture in India. Oxford University Press.
• Vale, L. J. (2010). The Politics of Urban Design: Planning and Equity in a Changing World. Routledge.
• Totah, F. M. (2018). Gentrification, a "Civilizing" Process. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 42(3), 453–467.
• Haas, T., & Hahn, T. (2012). Urban Transformations and Community Empowerment. Urban Planning Review, 21(2), 50–65.