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https://journal.unwira.ac.id/index.php/ARTEKS Research paper doi: 10.30822/arteks.v5i3.487

The hedonistic sustainability concept in the works of

Nita Dwi Estika1* , Yudhistira Kusuma2, Dewi Retno Prameswari3 , Iwan Sudradjat1

1 History, Theory, and Criticism in Research Group, School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPD), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha, no. 10, Bandung, Indonesia 2 Architectural Planning Research Group, Department of Architectural Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi, no. 229, Bandung, Indonesia 3 School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPD), Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha, no. 10, Bandung, Indonesia

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Contemporary architects highlight past ideas and present new Received April 29, 2020 manifestos often perceived as utopian. Bjarke Ingels introduced Received in revised form May 12, 2020 hedonistic sustainability in response to the demand for Accepted July 26, 2020 environmentally friendly and sustainable living through different Available online December 01, 2020 perspectives. This paper comprehensively explains the concept of hedonistic sustainability through the designs of Bjarke Ingels, a Keywords: contemporary architect. Literature from various sources is examined Bjarke Ingels to describe Bjarke Ingels' idea. Hedonistic sustainability combines Contemporary sustainable ideas, fun, and community. Bjarke Ingels's architectural Hedonistic sustainability design is applied through simulation and an ironic approach. Its Manifesto representation facilitates the exploration of the design objects planned concretely. The idea of playful and communality was raised through the design that accommodates various user activities. Bjarke Ingels's idea is expected to contribute to the knowledge and *Corresponding author: Nita Dwi Estika contemporary architecture design process in Indonesia. History, Theory, and Criticism in Architecture Research Group, SAPPD, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia Email: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0003-2117-482X

Introduction what architecture can do at its maximum point. However, it is also a challenge since it may Architects become famous in other media because highlight the main weaknesses of the architecture of their manifesto. A good manifesto combines a (Jencks 1997). , a founding partner bit of terror, emotion, the prestige of capabilities, of the OMA (Office for Metropolitan and utilizes rhetorical tools such as rhymes, word Architecture), was assisted by an apprentice plays, and jokes. Jencks and Kropf (1997) named Bjarke Ingels in 1998. Manifesto Bigness grouped manifestos into five time periods, Koolhaas inspired Ingels to be one of the including, Post-Modern, Post-Modern Ecology, innovative, ambitious, creative, and most famous Traditional, Late Modern, and New Modern contemporary architects of the younger (Jencks 1997). generation. This success is also attributed to skills The appearance of Rem Koolhaas in 1994 in using various platforms, including social with the manifesto of Bigness made him a new media. Ingels won many awards because of the modern figure. The Manifesto Bigness represents

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ability to produce innovative architectural works processing methods were used to extract text from and international reputation (Sagdıc 2016). various sources. Furthermore, content analysis Bjarke Ingels founded the Bjarke Ingels techniques were used to determine the inference Group (BIG) in 2005, which is known by the of the selected work to provide an overview of the manifesto Yes is More, a theory of evolution interpretation of ideas or hedonistic sustainability ( 2009). This manifesto was concepts proposed by Bjarke Ingels founded on the abstraction from the thoughts of (Krippendorff 2012). The essence was responded naturalist Charles Darwin and philosophers to by associating this thought with a broader case Friederich Nietzsche (Møller 2013). "Yes is to make a more general and comprehensive More" by Ingels was juxtaposed with six other conclusion on the hedonistic sustainability legendary architectural manifestos, including concept. Vitruvius, Le Corbusier, Steen Eiler Rasmussen, Aldo Rossi, Roberto Venturi, and Rem Koolhaas (Arcspace 2014). Stable manifestos can become a Result and discussion theory, which is a discourse that explains the practice of architectural production along with a The Ingels architecture process with Koolhaas description of its challenges (Jencks 1997; Nesbitt provides show that each project is handled 1996). The manifestos stated by architects can be uniquely based on specific conditions. Projects categorized into groups of theories to form the start with a story attached to a city, about art and architecture theory (Sudradjat 1997). The theory technology, and the institutions that develop. represents how architects develop and use Therefore, Ingels concludes that architecture is principles, knowledge, techniques, and other part of society and is based on societal issues resources in the design process (Sudradjat 2020). (Parker 2012). It underlines the background of the architect's “Yes is More” might be perceived as a joke design process, such as the use of media and ways from a famous quote by the founding father of the of acting, enriching historical and cultural modern revolution Mies Van Der Rohe, “Less is diversity (Widodo 2019; Subroto 2019). More.” However, the choice of phrases has a solid Through the Yes Is More manifesto, Ingels basis. Apart from the concrete form of the Less is synthesized various concepts, including More spell, which results in the repetition of Hedonistic Sustainability. This paper explains identical square buildings dominating, “Yes is Hedonistic Sustainability's design concept, More” also refers to the fact that the architecture ranging from the origin, principles, development is a contradiction and revolution of implementation, and context of application previous ideas. Ingels intended to free through the architectural works of Bjarke Ingels. architecture from traced cliches and viewed The purpose of choosing this concept was to modern life as an inspiring challenge. As an appreciate the BIG for its exciting design architect in the 21st century, he shows that the philosophy and challenging the idea of project's importance is not formulated under the sustainable living principles. This concept is also basic guidelines and principles of architecture, but a contextual idea with the urgency of today's is focused on concept research on architectural architectural design that must prioritize projects expected to be the best in the market. environmentally friendly principles. According to Ingels, the need in architecture today is not revolution, but evolution. Architecture should adapt progressively to the Method development of life. It should follow the way of life, rather than slowing the progression of life by This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, adjusting to obsolete ideas from the past. Perfect commonly used to build knowledge patterns architecture should say "yes!" to every desire and based on constructive perspectives sourced from need (Bjarke Ingels Group 2009). individual experience and historical values "Yes is more" represents Ingels's optimism as (Creswell 2014). Data collection involved a designer in the contemporary era to produce literature studies of various sources, including perfect architectural works. Instead of positioning books, articles, and information from the official themselves toward "pragmatics" that kill the wild website of Bjarke Ingels's works. Text data ideas of an architect or "utopians" that reject

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Nita Dwi Estika, Yudhistira Kusuma, Dewi Retno Prameswari, Iwan Sudradjat: The hedonistic sustainability concept in the works of Bjarke Ingels

various realities, Ingels merge the two poles in an challenge." (Sanders and Sanders 2019; architectural design entitled "pragmatic- Ingels 2012). utopianism" (Bjarke Ingels Group 2009). Hedonistic sustainability is a vision to respond Through the Pragmatic Utopianism idea, he was to current challenges in line with the need for new confident and optimistic that architectural works ways of addressing the evolving contemporary should not be partial. Architectural work should lives, multicultural issues, economic problems, reach both sides through the creativity of an and technological and communication architect and produce outcomes that developments. Hedonistic sustainability is a accommodate various needs. mind-set that integrates aspects of sustainability “How could the ecosystem live with playfulness into a building to improve sustainably when humans continue to do human life. what they want?” (Fiore, Phillips, and Ingels doubt that the environment is currently Sellers 2014). undergoing an ecological regression (Bjarke The Hedonistic Sustainability concept also Ingels Group 2009). In his view, the environment emanated from the foundation of pragmatic is ecologically "possible" in progress. The utopianism. The hedonistic preposition seems to statement seems to show the quality of the built contradict with the main idea, which is environment whose development is not sustainability. This concept can be expressed proportional to the needs and lifestyles of humans using the term "extravagant while saving." This currently. This situation indirectly forces humans concept is against sustainability, which denotes to adjust their lifestyles for sustainability. that living sustainably is a sacrifice (investment) As an architect with authority and for the greater good (Fiore, Phillips, and Sellers responsibility to change the built environment for 2014). Ingels and BIG are active in defining urban the better, Ingels stated that an architect should scenarios, bringing concepts related to society, create a sustainable design and still accommodate economy, and ecology to create synergies the way humans want to live, rather than precisely between sustainability, community needs, and imposing limits on their life (Bjarke Ingels Group spectacular design. (BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group 2009). Ingels change the sustainable paradigm 2018; Bjarke Ingels Group 2018). that cramps the society because it has to limit everything. A sustainable life is not merely about Bjarke Ingels’s thoughts: Hedonistic changing existing lifestyles, and the world can be sustainability changed to suit human life. are artistic three-dimensional, Ingels developed the idea of a pro-community and ecosystem designs that unite ecological and built environment design in which expending economic systems. Architects should integrate energy produced more of it (Bjarke Ingels Group everything resourcefully in a plan and ensure the 2009). Therefore, the Hedonistic Sustainability flow of resources is sustainable (Ingels 2012). concept is needed. In his book Yes is More, Ingels When ecology and economics are combined, criticized some of the contents of "Ten people tend to focus on the boundaries that Commandments of Good Consumption," as emerge as rules, eliminating the community shown in table 1. values built in architecture. According to Ingels, this is a challenge to determine new ways of Table 1. Hedonistic sustainability critiscism of ten building a pro-community ecological and commandments of good consumption Ten commandments of economic system (Bjarke Ingels Group 2009). Hedonistic sustainability There is a general misconception of good consumption sustainability regarding how much the Reduce, reuse, recycle Use, reuse, recycle Stay close to home Hit the road community's life quality should be sacrificed to Minimize the use of Maximize the use of achieve sustainability (Ingels 2012). This is the combustion engines hydrogen engines Reduce fuel underlying concept of hedonistic sustainability. Produce energy while driving According to Ingels, the solution to the conflict is consumption Support government Support youth own purely a matter of design. regulation with political household with energy “Sustainability cannot be like a choices Support thoughtful moral sacrifice or political dilemma or a (agree) philanthropic cause. It has to be a design innovation

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Ten commandments of and irony. Specifically, this was meant to achieve Hedonistic sustainability good consumption a synergistic and sustainable design. The more you use, the more Prioritize The simulation approach is analogous as a boy you get playing with a Lego model or a digital computer Vote Waste Do not feel guilty (agree) game. Many Ingels buildings oppose the Enjoy what you have Enjoy more conventions and dimensions of traditional Source: (Bjarke Ingels Group 2009) architecture and highly eccentric and photogenic. Ingels uses the camouflage perspective learned Through the hedonistic sustainability concept, from Koolhaas and used digital technology to Ingels offers expectations and beliefs that humans formulate influential designs (Sagdıc 2016). For can live in a utopian architecture world that is instance, the use of simulation, imitation, and beautiful but still be responsible. Sustainable representation by BIG was applied to The design provides fun and enthusiasm and can Mountain project (2007) in . The improve the quality of life for individuals and project explores the experience (simulation) of communities (Fiore, Phillips, and Sellers 2014). life on the "mountain," and therefore, an artificial However, to create a pleasant sustainable mountain was built. It is a view of new environment, public and community participation mountainous settlements in the sub-urban area of in the design process is needed (Fiore, Phillips, Copenhagen (Ingels 2012). Simulation is a and Sellers 2014). representation of reality that is considered equal "... to look at some different because it produces several authentic approaches where sustainable cities and characteristics. In this project, reproduced buildings increase the quality of life" "mountains" emerge as imaginative theatrical (Ren 2016). realities (Balık and Allmer 2015a). Hedonistic sustainability, as the design The ironic approach is also used as a design to principle of BIG in various articles, is considered create an ironic expression and form a more iconic closer to the joke in architecture. Szczegielniak building. An ironic expression on Ingels (2015) explained that BIG is an expert in making architecture is a design input that develops jokes in architecture with a funny design process. pragmatic-utopian design ideas, such as rational However, it is a solution to problems in various and irrational binary, usual and unusual, or contexts faced by the development of Ingels serious and funny. Ingels developed irony as a architecture. With this approach, they expect collective creation tool to produce ideas with architecture to be readily accepted and understood other architects. by the wider community, attracting society's For example, in The Mountain project (Figure involvement in its architectural work. 2), Ingels deliberately made the residential block "The Mountain" look like a mountainous settlement. In reality, the Copenhagen plain is a flat without mountains. The irony approach arises because the resulting design contradicted the situation in Copenhagen.

Figure 1. Schema of hedonistic sustainability concept

Design approach In the design process, Ingels uses two Figure 2. The mountain building approaches to achieve optimal design: simulation Source: (Bjarke Ingels Group 2007)

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The design decision is not merely the The Hedonistic Sustainability concept is fulfillment of utopian desire. There are widely applied to projects directed by Ingels and sustainability values accommodated in The BIG. The explanation of this concept's Mountain's design, including land reduction implementation is based on the analysis using two (building function integration), natural lighting Ingels design approaches, including a simulation and ventilation, the view of each occupancy, and (SA), and an ironic approach (IA). Several iconic sustainable technology (Bjarke Ingels Group projects by Ingels withthe Hedonistic 2007). Sustainability concept are briefly explained in table 2. Implementation of the hedonistic sustainability concept in Bjarke Ingels’ work

Table 2. Implementation of hedonistic sustainability concepts in Several BIG Projects Project Design approach Hedonistic sustainability value The Mountain (2007), Kopenhagen • SA: The parking building is likened • Hedonistic: The pleasure of living to a mountain, and then dwelling is in the mountains; Sub-urban life in placed on it (the experience of urban density. settlement life on the mountain). • Sustainability: Integration of two • IA: Design residential blocks like in building functions; Natural lighting, the mountains, while Copenhagen is fresh air, views, and parking in each a city without mountains. residential unit; Roof garden with https://big.dk/#projects-mtn irrigation from rainwater collection technology.

8 House (2009), Kopenhagen • SA: The experience of normative • Hedonistic: Horizontal residential residential life (horizontal land) life inside a vertical housing such as on a city roadside with (pedestrian path for walking and bicycle and pedestrian paths to biking). access various facilities. • Sustainability: Integration of various • IA: Transform the idea into vertical facilities in one residential block residential typologies on confined area; Roof garden to reduce the land. effects of urban heat island; rainwater collection technology. https://big.dk/#projects-8

Amager Resource Center (2019), • SA: Making the incinerator facility • Hedonistic: Mountain recreation Kopenhagen community-friendly (obscuring the (ice skating, hiking, wall climbing). image of industrial buildings); • Sustainability: Turn obsolete Making "mountains" for recreation incinerator into a green building Copenhagen community. landmark; Educational facilities • IA: Mountain recreation in an area about sustainability for the without mountains; Recreation on community (waste-to-energy plant); top of industrial facilities large roof garden for new natural (incinerator). ecosystems; New recreation area.

https://big.dk/#projects-arc Source: (Bjarke Ingels Group 2020; Støa 2008; Balık and Allmer 2015b; Vyzoviti 2013; Ingels 2012)

Many Ingels architectural works that apply and ways of life of the community, sourced from similar design patterns, include Copenhagen the societal stories, and adding pleasure Harbor Bath (2005) in Copenhagen, Danish (playfulness) in the design. Pavilion (2010) in , and VIA 57 West The Hedonistic Sustainability concept is a (2016) in New York. The idea of these works was contemporary thought that can be used in to mergepleasure into a sustainable environment architectural design. It is in line with the urgency system. It relieves the burden of boundaries of the current design that should meet the arising from sustainable principles. Ingels created standards of green architecture and sustainable an environmental nuance that makes ordinary development. Therefore, the assertion that the people interested and willing to understand quality of sustainable physical design needs to be sustainable living and living. In this case, the supported by the involvement of the surrounding critical thing is the design following the desires community is disputed. Ingels, in his design, has

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successfully integrated both aspects. Through horizontal, vertical, and diagonal axes. Therefore, creativity as an architect, an unusual way to make repetition back and forth, rise-and-sink, as well as the community to live with sustainable principles up and down in the design, produces a building was discovered. mass with a dynamic impression. Sustainable architectural design approaches Ingels responds to the surrounding may vary with the context. Ingels' hedonistic environment to bring up sustainability aspects of sustainability concept widely applied in the each design. He uses every field in building works Scandinavian region can be successful since it is to respond to the surrounding climate and ready in various aspects. In other regions, conditions. The green elements on the roofs and architects must be very creative in finding walls of buildings maintain and enhance green solutions to the spirit of sustainable community- open spaces in the city where the building stands. based design. Contextuality is very important The use of materials responding to the since designing a built environment improves the environment optimizes design performance. This quality of life of its users based on their needs. A is one of Ingels's efforts to harmonize work with well-designed and sustainable built environment the surrounding environment. persuades users to be indirectly integrated into it.

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