The debate on collective significance focusing on the highrise building

Abstract

This research report outlines the current informal debate on collective significance. The term refers to the view of buildings, in particular the highrise, by the collective, that is, the providers and the users. The report studies the buildings and texts of three notable architects - Moshe Safdie, Helmut Jahn, and Aldo Rossi. An examination is made of the issues the three architects raise concerning collective significance and how their ideas form their architecture. The examination includes both built and unbuilt works as not all of the architects have completed highrise buildings. The findings include contrasts and similarities between the views and works of the architects. Answers are also given to a number of questions about the collective significance of the highrise building raised in the Introduction. For example, can collective significance be measured; is it a function of time? The report concludes with a brief description of where I believe the highrise building is heading, and a closing statement.