What do I think makes timeless architecture ?
I think that I am probably still too young to be qualified to answer this question! The famed modern movement architect Le Corbusier, coined the phrase “a house is a machine for living in”. The clean dynamic lines of the modern movement are probably the embodiment of timelessness -buildings like Corb’s Villa Savoye, designed in 1928, are still as fresh toady as they were 83 years ago! The concept of timelessness seems to be about architecture or design which can transcend fashion. A building like Ponte City in Berea, once the embodiment of urban hip and privilege, has transformed and morphed into a monument to urban decay, white fear and the unknown, yet Ponte still captures our imagination, and is as much a part of the collective conscious of Johannesburg today as when it was built in 1976! While the average suburbanite will never visit Berea, or set foot in a building like Ponte, 35 years later Ponte remains synonymous with Johannesburg, its elegant form imprinted on every iconic Johannesburg skyline. Ponte has transcended the spirit of the time when it was built – adapting to a completely new and different context , a symbol of the contemporary city – Perhaps Ponte is timeless? Good architecture should capture our imagination and inspire us, timeless architecture has the power to do this!
Hope this is ok!
Like I said, your questions are VERY insightful. Hehe!
I think that I am probably still too young to be qualified to answer this question! The famed modern movement architect Le Corbusier, coined the phrase “a house is a machine for living in”. The clean dynamic lines of the modern movement are probably the embodiment of timelessness -buildings like Corb’s Villa Savoye, designed in 1928, are still as fresh toady as they were 83 years ago! The concept of timelessness seems to be about architecture or design which can transcend fashion. A building like Ponte City in Berea, once the embodiment of urban hip and privilege, has transformed and morphed into a monument to urban decay, white fear and the unknown, yet Ponte still captures our imagination, and is as much a part of the collective conscious of Johannesburg today as when it was built in 1976! While the average suburbanite will never visit Berea, or set foot in a building like Ponte, 35 years later Ponte remains synonymous with Johannesburg, its elegant form imprinted on every iconic Johannesburg skyline. Ponte has transcended the spirit of the time when it was built – adapting to a completely new and different context , a symbol of the contemporary city – Perhaps Ponte is timeless? Good architecture should capture our imagination and inspire us, timeless architecture has the power to do this!
Hope this is ok!
Like I said, your questions are VERY insightful. Hehe!
