Also the often prophetic character of a number of architects only reinforced the strong conceptual, ideological charge of the modernist project. Revolutionary building-planning was meant to lead towards an also better planned existence and lifestyle. But not all of the dwellers are architects, designers or fanatics who have successfully pictured every aspect of a project already at the drawing board and would be delighted to order their lives according to it. A modernist building is hard to read. It is not easy to live up to its expectations as an inhabitant. Letting in the light every time when it´s in the right angle, being visible, being ready to interact and share resources and the tightly measured space with others. Such conditions would raise some expectations and raise the standards regarding the use of the facilities and the social formalities. Some extreme examples of apartment blocks didn´t even have individual kitchens. Social encounter was linked to the main life activities intentionally. It would make sense to find work in the office buildings, companies near the tower block, if we already have given up living in the countryside in order to face the growing urban dysfunctionality, fatigue of local traffic and restlessness, all –indirectly- for the living.
I would say the second option, but I´m also aware that the question already suggests that... Even if the modernist concept didn´t penetrate people´s lives on a philosophical level. Maybe even if the lot of attached services cost more, as for example heating does, compared to an individual heating system –which then often needs a professional check-up. The average rent might be similar; however in an older house there might be more occasions to call the landlord and then the handyman. The noise level is accounted for in our town around both types of habitation whether they are 50 or 100 years old, by traffic, sirens, car horns and alarms going off. The neighbours can be nice or terrible in both cases. It might matter that in a tower block you hear 10% less of them and less of the traffic with the height increasing. It might count as well that nobody puts trash -or worse- occasionally under your window, or that there is no doubt that your balcony hasn´t just been after-fitted by a bricoleur. Continued on page 134
It´s good though that a specialised enterprise, a syndic looks after the indispensable elevators, constant hot water supplies, all round heating and air circulation. In today´s energetic standards this comfort grade isn´t too economic however. The habitants all pay the price for it, but at least many hundreds of people share the bill in a big building. And there are many small positive features and practicalities in return too. As a tenant one doesn’t have to organise maintenance or sudden repairs for the heater, the roof, doors, locks, pipes, sewers etc. and there is no more need to put any trash bags on the street either. People have different habits they bring with themselves, wherever they come from. They have different ideas how to use a room, a piece of furniture and how to pass time. A lot of this varies around cultural aspects or level of education and is usually visible on decoration. And there is nothing wrong with that. If one tries to impose to the smallest detail it will fail naturally on people’s resistance. If the architect was meant to ask more than 1000 individuals about their expectations, wishes with regards to their future home, before he starts working, he would most possibly fail to pin down one homogenic concept. It is how it is. As well as in a seemingly inorganic environment like a tower block, relations and conditions change and develop in an organic manner, with random outcomes, and often fruitful results. But not always and not everywhere. Depending on the building, the locality, and the people, the general experience of an inconvenient flat-visit might overshadow some details, some benefits which could make the high-rise apartment block ultimately a better choice over a piece of old-style house. So, is it better to live in an apartment which has been cut out from something bigger, or rather in one which was meant to be an apartment?
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