Traces of the Past Utopias in Contemporary Architecture: Parasitic Architecture

• Main Authors: Gamze Şensoy, Berna Üstün
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Konya Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Design 2018-06-01
• Series: Iconarp International Journal of Architecture and Planning
• Subjects: Contemporary architecture, parasitic architecture, utopia
• Online Access: http://iconarp.selcuk.edu.tr/iconarp/article/view/188

Utopia, a phenomenon shaped in the frame of criticism, can be described as a proposal representing hope for the future. Architecture, which is a critical practice, creates new grounds for debate in the discipline with utopia designs. When utopian approaches of the past and contemporary architectural products are examined, it can be observed that utopias can be transformed into the facts of today. In this sense, this article aims to question whether contemporary approaches are inspired by the utopian propositions of the past. It was tried to be comprehended the utopian examples of parasitic architecture and the manifestations of currently produced samples. Examples were criticized with the aid of the analysis sheet prepared in the light of the specified parameters and the contributions of the utopias to the embodiment process of the design in the real world were questioned. In the context of parasitic architecture, it can be seen that approaches of both are similar. The accuracy of the thesis on that, no matter how much time passes over the utopian spatial productions, they continue to be valid and embody in the case of sufficient technology is debated. It is right to say that architecture continues to criticize, produce solutions for the current situations in every period, and doing so, it benefits from the pioneering attitude of utopias. In this sense, the article reveals that utopias are shaping both the human life and the future of architecture, and thus the traces of the past utopias can be encountered today.