WEEK 1: "Space as a key word" & "Space of Flows"

"Space as a key word" gives an easy to understand and familiar account of space as it is perceived by us. It breaks space down the concept of Space into 3 areas, Absolute Space, Relative Space and Relational Space and describes how these interrelate.

The essay presents Architecture as a "plastic art" something that comes out of the unconscious into reality, something that is merely a Visual impression. I perceive this to be cynical about architecture as a process where architects do not and can not create space for a purpose, the purpose comes out of the space. They can create absolute space but it is only through the people using it and their memories and pre-conceptions will determine it.

The Matrix of information it produces give the clearest image of the authors intensions, with these the reader can see the tensions that live between the various characteristics.

The "Space of Flows" is a concept that takes a more measured approach to Space and Time, relaying them to their interactions with technology, to be specific telecommunications technologies.

It considers space as a node on a local and global system. It is a way of connecting spaces, the producers, services and the end market. Linking sectors into regional areas. It also looks at possibilities that this communication improvement could bring, meaning that there would be no need for all parts of Business to be in the same area however it later goes on to say this will not work as people still require face to face contact so the cities will remain.

In regards to architecture it mentions a reproducing architecture in each country and reducing scales along the system.

The writing really is theorising about connecting space in the modern world however it mainly goes about it in a Business sense, This is quite different to "Space as a key word" where space is dividing by personal emotions and circumstance.

It informs us about the linking up of processes and places but doesn't lead on to how these spaces are, merely the linkage between them.

The two essays seem to be related to a small extent but focus on very different aspect of the concept of space; "Space as a key word" taking the more poetic ideas of space being related to experience and emotion and this is what I would drift towards however I dislike its cynacism towards architecture. "Space of flows" is a valid interpretation of the modern communication system and the spaces it creates, this is valid and true however does little to give additional knowledge to the reader without confusing.

Overall "Space as a key word" wins