ARCH 642 Reflections on Koyaanisqatsi

1. Formulate at least three points of analysis in relationship to your [architectural] interpretation of the film “Koyaanisqatsi” that touch your individual way of understanding spaces. Were you aware of those topics? Explain how.

The movie Koyaanisqatsi started out showing natural features of the world. Which at that point I found interesting because there was no way of knowing when the movie was actually filmed and produced. While our man-made world is constantly changing, the natural world withstands the test of time unchanged. So when people started showing up, and specifically man-made things, it was quite obvious what time period was being filmed, The natural elements were relaxing to watch, while the man-made movement was taxing to watch, yet I still couldn't look away. I think that's a metaphor for how we live nowadays. While we know that giving into the demands of the world can be a bad thing, we can't help but do it anyways.

2. Are those interpretations, those inquiries related to your individual architecture searches? How? Why?

I have always found nature fascinating and necessary, and have always wondered why we don't focus more on incorporating it into the built environment. This movie made it quite apparent that we don't focus on nature, and we haven't been for some time.

 3. Are those interpretations influencing your individual architecture thesis question[s]? How should they be considered in the current architecture discussions? Bring to the discussion examples of that influence.

My thoughts about the movie are strongly reflected in my thesis. My thesis is about incorporating the nature world into the built world, and the movie made it very obvious to me how much that isn't happening and how necessary it is.

4. As a reference search for an article, a piece of architecture, a design position that take into account the topics you are listing/observing.

I recently read an article/journal written by Maggie Jencks, an architect who died in 1995 from breast cancer. She described hospitals as places that people dread going to. While the buildings 'serve their purpose' of providing medical care to patients, they are not conducive to helping people (family, friends or patients) deal with the harsh reality of their illnesses and overcoming them. Maggie came up with the idea of the Maggies Centre, a place for patients and their families to go to deal with their illnesses, get help and comfort, and realize they have a community who supports them, so they know they aren't alone. It's all about designing and providing an appropriate space where these types of interactions and relationships can happen, and people feel comfortable in them.