Solar - power factories , ground-effect machine apartments , glass column topped with helipads : No , these are not concept drawings for EPCOT circa 1981 . These are ideas for the future of North Korean cities , design by North Korean architects in 2014 .
presently on prospect at the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale , these visions were curated by Nick Bonner , the owner of Beijing - basedKoryo tour — the group responsible for some of the most incredibleInstagram photostaken behind the DPRK drapery . The show includes XII of effigy created by architects from Paekdusan Construction and Architectural Research Institute , the two organizations which design and build up most of the political science - issued projects in the country .
For the project — which was four long time in the making — the architects were demand to create proposals for what touristry might someday look like in North Korea . It ’s an interesting proposal to consider since the idea of visitor freely go into the province is a completely foreign concept to residents at the moment . While some mind are simply wacky , it ’s also captivating to see how many element of urban pattern that are commonplace in westerly world are presented as “ utopian ” visions for the hereafter . The desire to know in and hire with the natural environment is probably the most prominent theme .
Even though the real - human beings prevalence of bunker - corresponding Soviet - geological era structures in North Korea do n’t necessarily infer a pattern - centric culture , computer architecture itself holds a prized role in the society . In 1991 Kim Jong - Il spell a book entitledOn Architecturewhere he described the ideal architectural style for his mass : “ There can not and should not be a modern form of architecture that is devoid of national characteristics . Architecture that has been create to reflect the people ’s necessary in a new age , in keeping with the innovative aesthetic feelings and modernistic civilized life is computer architecture that embody modernity , namely , modern architecture . ” While that particular statement does n’t really make any sense , it ’s exonerated that the Dear Leader did envision himself as some kind of master contriver , with a specific esthetical vision for North Korean urban design .
While most Americans will never see genuine - life North Korean figure in person , Koryo Tours ’ unequaled relationship with the government does let visitant to get up near and personal with present - day North Korean architecture . If you ’d care to go along for the drive , Koryo is organizing anarchitecture circuit of Pyongyangin October . [ The Independent , The Guardian ]
ArchitectureCitiesKim Jong IlNorth Koreaurbanism
Daily Newsletter
Get the honest tech , scientific discipline , and finish news show in your inbox day by day .
newsworthiness from the time to come , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
