Master mind, Rem Koolhaas, is obsessed with research. At his exhibit currently showing at the Architectural Assocation School of Architecture in London, hundreds of pages of paper filed with research, theories and sketches rest on a plinth in the middle of the room. Those pages compile an astonishing 400 volumes bound in black folders and contain the story of each one of OMA’s complete works from the past 40 years. So, Koolhaas, prolific writer or awesome architect? We’re going to go with a little bit of both…
As Justin McGurick shares, it is not uncommon for architects to use writing as their tools, a way to “not just to publicise their work but to lay down the latest architectural rules.” But, for anyone who has read Koolhaas’ books, we understand that his works are quite different. Rather than a manifesto, the pages that fill Koolhaas’ books provide the opportunity to understand how his mind functions. Sure, one could argue, especially after physically lifting the 1,300 pages of his S,M,L,XL, that the ‘bigness’ is just for the effect. Yet, the pages show not only his research, but, more importantly, how his mind operates far past the architectural level, and on to issues concerning politics, media, sociology, technology, fashion, etc.
