The Dialectic Bridge
ADVANCED DESIGN STUDIO C / STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION
TUTOR : DENNIS PRIOR
2008 RAIA National Architecture Conference Critical Vision Form,
Representation and the Culture of Globalisation Student Competition Project.
Zeitgeist & Nostalgia
Zeitgeist and nostalgia occur simultaneously. Zeitgeist, a city of independence and privacy based on technology and without human interaction has resulted in a condition of loneliness and alienation.
Nostalgia, the state of mind exists as an idealised antithesis to the dehumanised condition of our future city. Zeitgeist is a developing, constantly in a state of flux while Nostalgia is a ‘frozen’ city, resisting change in a permanent state of stasis.
The bridge is a one-way connection from the frozen city of the present to an evolving future. This bridge will work as a facilitator of decision through a series of conditions on the bridge; travellers will be forced to decide between the present and the future.
The bridge is a constant reminder of the loneliness and alienation of Zeitgeist, whilst stimulating a longing for Nostalgia. The bridge consists of various travelling conditions. You start the journey comfortably with space for partner before being directed through a confined space.
This narrow oppressive space is surrounded by screens obscuring any visual reference to your position or to your travelling companions. However, when you reach the river, you are deposited into a vast space of chaos. Each of the singular journeys reaches this point in different times and location.
You are alone – in a crowd. Therefore this solitude is contemplation on your possible future in Zeitgeist and ever recurring present.
