THE STORY OF ARCHIGRAM
Archigram were a group of young architects who had their own specific ideas, and once they got to know each other, and see that they shared similar views they chose to form a collective. A collective that seemed to go the opposite direction to the modernist approach of the time. They were only really "all in the same time at the same time" for 2 years (1962-64) they produced their most notable work during that time, all hypothetical projects. The group dissolved in 1974. Their projects were quirky, fun and very experimental. They were the pop artists of architecture, embracing the new technologies and the rise in consumerism. A common theme that can be observed in their projects is the ability for the consumers to change location if they wished, Walking city literally had legs so it could change location if the habitants wanted to. Plug in city was just a massive infrastructures where houses could be plugged in essentially. And Instant city was a event that would travel to various town or cities with giants balloons and provide entertainment and educational resources. Even though their projects were only hypothetical a lot can be learnt from them I think, a city on legs cannot be built but it still rises questions, what if a city could be moved to another location. What I like is that they didn't just go along with what was the style at the time, they didn't agree with the approach, and like them a lot of the buildings from the modernist or international style, I don't like. Now that is not to say I like everything they put forward, I like the concepts, and especially like the plug in city, but for example I do not like that they use so much colours for buildings, I couldn't name you a building with a lot of colours that I really liked. When it comes to their design philosophy it's difficult to say, they trusted advancements in technology were very optimistic and just looked to challenge what they viewed an outdated look on architecture. Their designs is most definitely more wacky then the kind of buildings I usually gravitate to, but I still really like some of their projects. In terms of how they will inform my project, well I would like to explore the concept of the plug in city, I really like the idea, I don't know how appropriate it is for student accommodations but for example imagining a university student that studies abroad for a year could bring his apartment and plug it in his new university. I don't know really, but I'll still explore the idea. I really like their illustration as well they're funky, and although I do not envision myself colouring my buildings in various colours I don't think I'd hurt that I be more adventurous when drawing out concepts or final design sheets etc.
Plug In City- Peter Cook (1964)
Instant City- Peter Cook (1968)
Walking City- Ron Herron (1964)
Seaside Bubbles- Ron Herron (1966)
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