ARCHITECTURE AS
P O W E R T R I U M V I R A T E
steven
j
carlson
Syracuse University School
of
Architecture
SUPPRESSION,
REPRESSION, and REVOLUTION
THROUGH EXPLOITATION of ARCHITECTURE
Architecture ement and
of a
is
a
exp¬ression,
cultural
potent
manifestation
cultural identity. attracts wardens
the of
the
valuable
asset
ed
and
world:
efit.
to
the
for
the con-
as
their
history,
regimes,
it
a
manipulat-
be
Throughout
thoritarian
of
dictators,
altered
of
Therefore,
attention
the
querors,
el-
powerful
benau-
conquerors,
and dictators have exploited architecture
as
a
tool
in
their
quest to control and subdue their subjects.
This
architectural ex-
ploitation has occurred over many levels; from planometric innovations
on
a
small
scale,
inter-
ventions upon existing constructs to demonstrate new ownership of a culture’s identity, and the construction of monumental buildings as
an
extension
and
symbol
authority lation;
of over
a a
manifestation ruling
group’s
servant
Architecture
has
popu-
often
been exploited by those in power, as
a
means
of
subduing
Conversely, architecture has often been exploited by recalcitrant populations, as a means of throwing off the yoke of authoritarianism. trant
populations.
recalci-
The 'triumvirate'
of
power
through
architecture:
1 2 3
PRISON ARCHITECTURE
ALTERATION
of
[pg.11]
EXISTING CONSTRUCTS
AUTHORITARIAN MONUMENTALITY
[pg.27]
[pg.19]
1
PRISON ARCHITECTURE
2
ALTERATION
of
EXISTING CONSTRUCTS
3
AUTHORITARIAN MONUMENTALITY
Architecture has a ed, complex, and
multifacetintertwined
relationship with power struggles,
hierarchies,
social
control in society. arguable a
that
small
control
scale
It
and
is in-
architecture
at
can
to
be
used
individuals,
and
the
intentions of the designers of prisons
are
ble
the
in
clear plans
sive
domains
on
the
prison.
and
considered
oppres-
of
the
The
pre-existing
legi-
and
scale
of
deliberate
neutering
of
architecture
in
recalcitrant regions was and is still used alongside invasion, forced
assimilation.
and of
conversion,
religious
architectural
tent
becomes
less
clear
The
in-
control
more as
reading
complex
the
and
discussion
is shifted from this pragmatic scale,
to
the
domain
monumental
and
the
ly
significant;
clear, is that
but
of
the
culturalwhat
is
Architecture's
role in society and its symbolic nature
carries
significance, exploited
to
with which
great
it has
great been
effect
by
groups and people throughout the world
and
throughout
history.
steven carlson Syracuse University School of Architecture ARC134[Architecture's Global History]
12.09.2013
This work was created as a supplement to a semester-long investigation of architecture's roll in a global historical context. Initial work investigated architecture's role in the potential creation of a moon colony in the wake of newt gingrich's speculations during the 2012 presidential election. This led to an investigation of architecture's role in colonization throughout history, which was used as a springboard into this investigation of architecture's role in control mechanisms. NEWT GINGRICH <> COLONIZATION <> POWER&CONTROL
THANK YOU
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http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m64kxxkKid1r13gsho1_500.png
[13]
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/books/review/the-panopticon-by-jenni-fagan.html
[14]
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[15]
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[17]
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[21]
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[22]
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ORIGINAL DIAGRAMS: pgs. 20,21, 28, 29 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: https://globalhistory.expressions.syr.edu/architecture-as-power-triumvirate/ ALSO BY THE AUTHOR, IN COLLABORATION WITH ANGELA COPES: “Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Gingrich” https://globalhistory.expressions.syr.edu/goodnight-moon-goodnight-gingrich/ “Colonial Hybridization in Architecture” https://globalhistory.expressions.syr.edu/colonial-hybridization-in-architecture/