Social condenser
Encyclopedia
From Soviet constructivist
theory, the social condenser is a spatial idea practiced in architecture
. At the opening speech for the first OSA Group
conference in 1928 Moisei Ginzburg
claimed that "the principal objective of constructivism...is the definition of the Social Condenser of the age." The single building most associated with the idea is the Narkomfin Building
in Moscow, begun in 1928 and finished in 1932.
Central to the idea of the social condenser is the premise that architecture has the ability to influence social behavior
. The intention of the social condenser was to influence the design of public space
s, with a goal of breaking down perceived social hierarchies in an effort to create socially equitable spaces.
Approaches in creating the built form of a "social condenser" include the intentional overlapping and intersection of programs within a space through circulation. In this example, shared circulation nodes create collision zones of varied constituencies. The premise is that these areas of collision create the environment where there is potential to allow for otherwise disperse social communities to interact.
From the OMA book Content a social condenser is described as; "Programatic layering upon vacant terrain to encourage dynamic coexistence of activities and to generate through their interference, unprecedented events."
Constructivist architecture
Constructivist architecture was a form of modern architecture that flourished in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and early 1930s. It combined advanced technology and engineering with an avowedly Communist social purpose. Although it was divided into several competing factions, the movement produced...
theory, the social condenser is a spatial idea practiced in architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. At the opening speech for the first OSA Group
OSA Group
The OSA Group was an architectural association in the Soviet Union, which was active from 1925 to 1930 and considered the first group of constructivist architects...
conference in 1928 Moisei Ginzburg
Moisei Ginzburg
Moisei Yakovlevich Ginzburg was a Soviet constructivist architect, best known for his 1929 Narkomfin Building in Moscow.-Education:Ginzburg was born in Minsk in a Jewish real estate developer's family. He graduated from Milano Academy and Riga polytechnic institute . During Russian Civil War he...
claimed that "the principal objective of constructivism...is the definition of the Social Condenser of the age." The single building most associated with the idea is the Narkomfin Building
Narkomfin Building
The Narkomfin Building is a block of flats in Moscow, designed by Moisei Ginzburg with Ignaty Milinis in 1928, and finished in 1932. Only two of four planned buildings were completed. The building is squeezed between old and new territories of United States Embassy at 25, Novinsky Boulevard...
in Moscow, begun in 1928 and finished in 1932.
Central to the idea of the social condenser is the premise that architecture has the ability to influence social behavior
Social behavior
In physics, physiology and sociology, social behavior is behavior directed towards society, or taking place between, members of the same species. Behavior such as predation which involves members of different species is not social...
. The intention of the social condenser was to influence the design of public space
Public space
A public space is a social space such as a town square that is open and accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level. One of the earliest examples of public spaces are commons. For example, no fees or paid tickets are required for entry, nor are the entrants...
s, with a goal of breaking down perceived social hierarchies in an effort to create socially equitable spaces.
Approaches in creating the built form of a "social condenser" include the intentional overlapping and intersection of programs within a space through circulation. In this example, shared circulation nodes create collision zones of varied constituencies. The premise is that these areas of collision create the environment where there is potential to allow for otherwise disperse social communities to interact.
From the OMA book Content a social condenser is described as; "Programatic layering upon vacant terrain to encourage dynamic coexistence of activities and to generate through their interference, unprecedented events."