feminist architecture?

[elliejane]

hi, hope someone can help me, does anyone know anything about feminist design in relation to architecture? my brief for this semester was to design a house for a feminist client, im finding it very difficult to find information on the subject or any existing buildings designed in this way. im interested in exploring the interior layout of the building as i feel that for a feminist it would be the way in which she lives and the functionality of the building that would be important rather than creating a house which somehow visually represented feminism in some way, however i could be wrong on this point so fell free to tell me otherwise. hope someone can help me

thanks

[teamjdc]

I somehow doubt you will find any examples because the premise came from the warped mind of the typical professor.

Don't be too literal, that will send you down the path to failure.

Break down the aspects of a house, both functionally and emotionally and then see if any can be impacted by one's feminism.

Of course, you need to figure out what a feminist is. Also bear in mind that feminists can be male.

I see two ways to go. You can take the sensitive, "let's try to make this philosophy apparent" approach -- which I believe is your current leaning. OR, take it from a bolder, no BS approach -- the flip-side of feminism -- the unspoken, non-militant side that wants to glorify women and create a hmoe where a woman can glorify herself with the best of all the stereotypical girl ammenities.

It sould be interesting for you to do a search for interviews with Betty Friedan and Gloria Friedman. Perhaps you can find info on their homes and maybe theirown words about the design.

But do you want to know the real truth?

Really?

They're just people.

Do you have the guts to do a Barbie mansion behind a cold, steely facade? Now that's metaphor and high concept! Exactly what school is all about.

[Antisthenes]

i would say it is less about the form the building takes and more about women being involved and in what aspects of it.

like my mother being a master green builder

but overall it would be important not to divide and to go to the root meaning of feminism, being equality of the genders opportunities not focus on females per se but in the equal opportunities of both genders and the lack of or type of hierarchy in the design team.

[teamjdc]

oops, that should have been Gloria Steinem.

[apotheosis]

I'd recommend avoiding any form of (even vaguely) phallic forms--at least not as dominant forms. Smashing the patriarchy and the like. Though perhaps (depending on the wave of feminism and the philosophical inclinations of the client) it would be more appropriate to use phallic and vaginal symbolism in equal measure and significance, as an egalitarian motif; inverted triangles and vertical lines, traditionally masculine and feminine colors, something of the sort.

[richanar]

just as a spinoff apotheosis's suggestion (which i don't agree with at all actually)...the ultimate phallic male-female symbol is the 'shivaling' from Hindu belief.

http://www.gangesindia.com/catalog/images/Dsc00637-Blk-Shivling-Small.jpg

It is basically the linga (the rounded upright stone,symbolizing...guess what ) in conjunction with the large stone chute,symbolizing...guess again!
Its considered to be the point of creation,the start of the world!And is worshipped as an idol in Hindu temples...amazing,don't you think?

But please don't use any part of this for a feminist house!!
I'd suggest a work diagram for the house which emphasizes the many abstract qualities of feminism...like independence,self acceptance,a sense of rights and justice etc..read germaine greer!

[Architorture]

read some diana agrest that should give you a pretty good feel for what feminist architecture should be like...

also a little marxist theory would probably help a little bit since it sometimes serves as a jumping off point for feminist arch. theory

[chauhan]

you shoud read about Le Corbusier, he was known as the great Feminist architecture, and designed many buildings.