typologization of non-places

Dissertation WIP [= Work In Progress ya'll!]


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The first type of these built undifferentiated entities are generic spaces, which function as a beacon of anonymity in an otherwise fully diversified world. It is spearheaded by petrol stations and characterized by generic spaces which are inserted into populated places. By creating a series of identical and instantly recognizable spaces, the experience of inhabiting one is made to be as similar as possible to inhabiting another. This is achieved by utilizing identical floor plans, equipment, uniforms and serving identical products within a standardized environment of fixed temperature and musical/vocal background. Although generally small in terms of architectural size, they are nothing if not compact.

The second are non-places. They achieve a curious trick, where through creating a unique object for a specific place, they create an fundamentally anonymous environment. Whereas they are there, they might as well be anywhere else. The champion of this phenomenon is the international airport, but examples such as shopping malls, parking garages or large medical institutions could be used in its place. Through its own vastness creates a world in itself, frequently with the spatial qualities of a Moebius strip. Limited, but never ending. Unique, yet self-similar. Bland, because of being too spicy. With the most important element being the “You are here” sign, presented in an appropriate language, along with a sufficiently large arrow pointing at itself. The architectural qualities of such spaces can also be described as Big in Koolhaasian terms, where even if they choose a style or concept, it becomes overwhelmed by it’s own Bigness. There is no definite style for Bigness, and yet they are unmistakable, not least through their bigness.

The third step of this un-place evolutionary scale are conceptual places. Although firmly rooted into a specific place, they are there only in passing. By folding the Cartesian grid from the proto-example around the user, they become inhabitable manifestations of abstract terms such as geometry, body, nation, etc. The pure-bred example is the Expo pavilion - an encapsulated cultural embassy, without the paperwork or border controls. It is essentially a displaced slice of land or an idea given corporeal form, striving to instantly consume the visitor and conjure up an immersive virtual world.

The fourth and final step is the wholly virtual spaces. By achieving material disconnectedness that is only aspired to (intentionally or otherwise) in previous types, it offers a truly endless plateau of digital virtuality. By shaping this endless incorporeal, yet malleable space according to our needs, an inhabitable virtual space is created. The current proliferation of blogs/personal pages can be likened to the past population of the Wild West, bar the natives. Every participant can potentially establish a virtual outpost in a seemingly endless space.

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