The large publications and advertising conglomerate Code Nast, has moved in with hundreds of employees and all the paraphernalia of the publications empire. The new tower has 104 floors and is the tallest built structure in North America.
In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, there was a worldwide re-thinking on the wisdom of constructing such gigantic structures, tempting the evil minds to target them. There was some slowing down in the erection of taller structures in competition. However, the past 13 years have witnessed the emergence of more than fifty such structures around the World. The apparent theme in doing these competitive constructions seems to be the assertion of financial clout in a visible form. The Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai,with a big lead over all the present towers is poised to retain its pre-eminence for quite some time to come (42 floors and 196 metres higher than the nearest rival, the Shanghai Tower ).
While the World Trade Centre Tower seeks to re-assert the will of the American psyche, the financial industry doesn’t seem to share that attitude. Not only have they not moved back into the tower, but also they seem to have abandoned the Lower Manhattan area itself in favour of safer places to carry on business. This approach seems to run counter to the projected image of re-assertion—a sort of paradox. This is because perverted minds do not target the heights of buildings but the financial might of the target.
Compare this picture of faith in tall structures to the preference being given by nay6 to micro- residences like tree top houses. These are the conservative lot who believe in the spirit of resilience. Leading architects like Japan’s Sou Fujimotos opting to promote simplistic functional housing, with large elements of capability of being re-built quickly in case of destruction, (though this aspect is nowhere explicitly stated), are finding enthusiastic fans among those making new homes. Designs that blend with nature have always been preferred by the discerning owners, but these used to be even more expensive than plain functional designs.
Massive reduction in materials used for construction and reliance on lighter weight components, without compromising functionality , would make the new idea ideal for addressing the housing needs of the economicaly weaker segment, low income group and middle income group, in a very big way. The plus point of such an option would be the flexibility allowing for future expansion within available space, and even up-gradation of the quality of the housing as and when resources permit.
Now let us look at the craze for micro housing. Here, the driving force is the need for exclusivity, a kind of need to be aloof from others. Spiritual pursuits call for some such facility but demands of social integration call for more integrated life than exclusivity. I have lived in tree houses as a trekker and hiker and enjoyed it, but would rather have community around me for normal life activities.
Man is basically a social animal. Our accommodation must reflect this aspect. Both residences and work places must demonstrate it. Business managers and administrators have realized that exclusive corner offices and closed cubicles serve only to prompt jealousy and not promote aspiration for career growth.
Thus the craze for exclusive housing which deters others from wanting to communicate with us will be detrimental to social progress. Let the few tree houses be there to provide us with an occasional looking inward experience. That serves a purpose too. But our destiny is to live as a community. Let us do so!
