Architecture is a hazardous mixture of omnipotence and impotence. It is by definition a c h a o t i c a d v e n t u r e... In other words, the utopian enterprise.
Rem KoolhaasRead
Manhattanism is the one urbanistic ideology that has fed, from its conception, on the splendors and miseries of the metropolitan condition—hyper-density—without once losing faith in it as the basis for a desirable modern culture. Manhattan's architecture is a paradigm for the exploitation of congestion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote explores the complex relationship between urban density and modern culture in Manhattan.
Rem Koolhaas highlights how Manhattan embodies both the delights and struggles of urban life through its extreme density. He suggests that this hyper-density is not just a challenge but also a foundation for a vibrant and desirable modern culture, indicating that the architecture and urban planning of Manhattan reflect the potential benefits of a crowded metropolis.
Themes
UrbanDensityCultureArchitectureMetropolis
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about architectural design, one might refer to this quote to emphasize the importance of urban density.
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