Pruitt Igoe Now
Reverse-Bavel
KUNIHIKO SONODA
3/16/2012
REVERSE-BABLE
I have known about St. Louis since childhood - Mississippi River; Tom Sawyer; the St. Louis Cardinals; Glenn Miller; etc. When I studied architecture I learned about the beautiful Gateway Arch. But, I did not know about Pruitt-Igoe.
During the 1970’s I was engaged as an architect. Architects were focused on functionalism and internationalism. I was opposed to modernism and focused on the concept of “regionalism.” For the past 40 years, functionalism has ruled the world of architecture. Lately “post-modernism” has been the trend. Functionalism in architecture has cast doubt into the emptiness in the hearts of men.
40 years ago, people were opposed to modernism architecture in St. Louis. The post-modern movement recently has not always been successful, but we should continue the idea of post-modernism. People who are involved in architecture and city designing are involved with the economic conditions and the setting.
My landscape design for the “Pruitt-Igoe-Now” project is in light of the meaning of “40 years.” This is the time required for human society to be delivered from “ruin” and “troubles.” Society develops from theory, race, religion, ideology, locality, nationalism, and various human relationships. People find communication difficult because the meaning of words gets lost in society.
This site will become a symbol of forgiveness, peace and healing. The waters of the Mississippi River will be directed onto the fertile land of Pruitt-Igoe which has been separated from this “Mother River” for 40 years. It will become a park of fountains. Water brings good ideas to the way people live. In the middle of this space will be a convention hall and a 490yd tall tower. The convention hall will be for cultural events. The tower will be a source for sending out information.
“St. Louis – Born Again.”
Reverse-Bavel
KUNIHIKO SONODA
3/16/2012
REVERSE-BABLE
I have known about St. Louis since childhood - Mississippi River; Tom Sawyer; the St. Louis Cardinals; Glenn Miller; etc. When I studied architecture I learned about the beautiful Gateway Arch. But, I did not know about Pruitt-Igoe.
During the 1970’s I was engaged as an architect. Architects were focused on functionalism and internationalism. I was opposed to modernism and focused on the concept of “regionalism.” For the past 40 years, functionalism has ruled the world of architecture. Lately “post-modernism” has been the trend. Functionalism in architecture has cast doubt into the emptiness in the hearts of men.
40 years ago, people were opposed to modernism architecture in St. Louis. The post-modern movement recently has not always been successful, but we should continue the idea of post-modernism. People who are involved in architecture and city designing are involved with the economic conditions and the setting.
My landscape design for the “Pruitt-Igoe-Now” project is in light of the meaning of “40 years.” This is the time required for human society to be delivered from “ruin” and “troubles.” Society develops from theory, race, religion, ideology, locality, nationalism, and various human relationships. People find communication difficult because the meaning of words gets lost in society.
This site will become a symbol of forgiveness, peace and healing. The waters of the Mississippi River will be directed onto the fertile land of Pruitt-Igoe which has been separated from this “Mother River” for 40 years. It will become a park of fountains. Water brings good ideas to the way people live. In the middle of this space will be a convention hall and a 490yd tall tower. The convention hall will be for cultural events. The tower will be a source for sending out information.
“St. Louis – Born Again.”