The modernity of New York according to Rem Koolhaas

Abstract

It is relatively accepted, between some authors, that theoretical works by Rem Koolhaas explores important problems of the metropolis, although his posture is considered controverse. Without attempting to solve disputes about the current position of the architect, this article analyzes the earlier texts by Koolhaas in order to identify, in his ambivalent discourse on modernity of New York, relevant themes to the architectural theory of the last quarter of the twentieth century. In my reading key, it implies taking into account the following question: how this narrative is able or not to elucidate features of the urban culture of metropolis under ultraliberal schemes . The paper is divided into two phases. In the first I analyze Koolhaas texts on the subject, highlighting the following points of the narrative of the author: i) the urban grid as speculation in two senses, so as to; ii) the new yorker skyscraper understood in its various aspects: as cities within the city, such as extrusion of the contradictory forces of the metropolis; iii) Rockefeller Center as architectural collective experience and the greatest realization of new yorker urban life. And finally, I show the ambivalent position of Koolhaas before the events narrated. Secondly, I analyze the perspectives of Hal Foster and Fredric Jameson about the position of Koolhaas, highlighting points that the authors consider contributions of the dutch architect.