parasites

[back2b]

Does anybody remember the movie "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"?

Was it just me or did anybody else wonder what this title really meant?
Because of the fact that cuckoos do not build nests a cuckoo's nest is therefore a place of no EXISTENZ. It is a very virtual, imaginative, even mystic space.


(I learned just recently that Americans call a "nuthouse" a "cuckoo's nest". That was disappointing I have to confess... No deeper meaning at all...)


Anyway, back to the birds...
Just to update your knowledge about cuckoos:
These birds do not build their own nests because they do not care for their offspring. Cuckoos lay their one egg into other bird's nests and let them take care of their offspring. While the often much smaller foster parents strain themselves to get enough food for that huge orphan, it eventually kicks all the other 'real' chickens out of the nest. "There can be only one!"

Nevertheless, this parasite behaviour proved itself to be a quite successful strategy as other animals (e.g. insects) have developed similar strategies to have other insects taken care of their offspring.

Even in human societies you can find parasites abusing the system or even parasites being an integral part of the system. (Maybe you know some professions that can be referred to as 'parasites').

Maybe there are also some good examples where architecture is using this strategy as well as a strategy to survive in cities.

As I am quite interested in having this parasite idea developed a little bit further I would very much apprechiate it if you could contribute some examples of 'architectural parasites'.

I am keen to know in what different ways architecture could become a parasite.

But also other ideas or comments regarding parasitic behaviour are very welcome.

Cheers!

[manc]

get a book published by NAi called rooftop architecture. v good and covers whatr you're looking at.

[back2b]

Thanks for the tip with the book, MANC.

But as the title suggests it just deals with rooftop architecture, which is just one part of the field I am refering to.

Actually, the project that I am gathering information for is a video clip I want to do together with an video artist. Therefore I am interested to find some nice ideas how space can be related to parasites.

That's why I am interested what other people think of that topic or what suggestions you have.

Choice!

[Hotrats]

Not sure if you would consider this a parasite but it certainly requires a 'host' organism/building to live on.

Holz Box Tirol's Minicabin that perches on an elevator shaft way up above the city. - Click on the image on their site and you can doenload the pdf.

http://www.holzbox.at/Index_05/A1_Minibox/Minibox.html

[takesh h]

You might already know it but Diller + Scofidio did a seriese of projects called Parasite in 1980s-1995.
If I remember it correctly, it was multi-disciplinary projects mixing architecture with theatre and installation.

[PeterE]

Interesting thought. Google "architectural parasites", lots of interesting stuff.

[MICHEL]

Korteknie & Stuhlmacher architecten, P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E., Rotterdam
More info in DETAIL 3/2002 p.185.
"In 2001, this “parasite” dwelling was erected on the roof of the lift shaft of the Las Palmas building, a former industrial complex in Rotterdam harbour. The structure was built in the context of an architectural project that seeks to exploit scarce urban space in an innovative manner. The “parasites” are housing objects designed for unusual urban situations. The organizers of the scheme, an architects’ office in Rotterdam, invited 30 young architects from all over Europe to create new forms of habitation by developing lightweight, flexible, low-cost structures that could be installed in left-over spaces where services and access already exist or are near at hand. The present prototype is connected to the water and electrical supply of the Las Palmas building. The form of the structure was determined by the lines of access and services in the “host” building, by the existing structural parameters and the architects’ aim to achieve a sculptural appearance. Thick laminated glued timber was used for the construction, a material that is still virtually unknown in the Netherlands."

[PeterE]

I love this image:

You beat me Michel, but at least its a different image.

[Francesco]

The loftcube project

[sohail]

Hi friends, I am first time here and really found ti good by all means, Infact the topic is good to read and and sending this page to my other firends because they are always asking me for the good resources to read out

[sudark]

you could try to google lebbeus woods and peter cook and their theories about parasitic architecture. Lebbeus woods is more of a theory guy in my opinion so you cant count on too many built works. But I believe there are a number of videos on youtube about the topic such as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g9NDLK5n-w

[ragin]

Here is an interesting design.

Perched between art and architecture, form and function, the Rucksack House is a walk-in sculpture with its own spatial quality. A hovering illuminated space that looks like a cross between temporary scaffolding and minimal sculpture. As mobile as a rucksack, this mini-house is intended to be an additional room that can be suspended from the façade of any residential building.

By the way, is a rooftop garden a parasite?

[Zxath]

What sprung to mind were pictures of the Old London Bridge...quite a few surviving European bridges display this kind of 'parasitic' concept...though still providing the intended primary use of a river crossing, added dwellings and shops have relegated that purpose in favour of commercial considerations....It was said of the Old London Bridge, that it was quicker to take a river taxi across the Thames, as the Bridge itself was too crowded with merchants and customers.

An engraving by Claes Van Visscher showing Old London Bridge in 1616 ( from Wikipedia )

[Zxath]

wow! I just realised how old this thread is