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Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

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Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#11

Post by clueless123 »

notahacker wrote: post #8
rocky1138 wrote: post #5

I can't decide whether I love it or hate it.

Context is everything in architecture. The rest of El Alto is unfinished, artless concrete and terracotta like the adjacent buildings in some of the photos, so it definitely lifts the neighbourhood, and the centre of nearby La Paz is dominated by concrete towers painted in similarly bright colours that just aren't as interesting. It's the graffiti of the architectural world, and sometimes the neighborhood feels more…

I recently found out that "unfinished" structures in Peruvian emerging towns is by design, as you don't start paying property taxes on a building until is "finished" , leaving it on an eternal state of construction, avoids you those taxes..

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#12

Post by barry-cotter »

clueless123 wrote: post #10

"His buildings are nicknamed cholets, a portmaneau of chalet (a Swiss mountain house) and cholo (derogatory slang for indigenous person)." Just a small comment on the above paragraph from the article: While in mexico the word "cholo" is used on a derogatory manner, in the andes (Peru and Bolivia) the word Cholo is used also as a pride term (like the N word can be used in the US) So people often claim "Cholo Power" fo…

> In this particular case, I believe "Cholets" is used as a proud "originality" term.. but it certainly could be used as a demeaning term by the local equivalents of the infamous USA "Karen" type :)

You might want to consider your use of gendered slurs.

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#13

Post by beloch »

rocky1138 wrote: post #5

I can't decide whether I love it or hate it.

Viewing this feels sort of like listening to speed metal for the first time. At first, it's jarring and off-putting, but you recognize that it's unique. You may decide you like it, but probably only after a fair bit of exposure.

I wouldn't dismiss this style as ugly until you've seen it enough to get over the initial shock. The real test is if you can walk by one of these buildings every day for a year and either appreciate it more each time or, alternatively, hate it more each day.

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#15

Post by [deleted] »

clueless123 wrote: post #10

"His buildings are nicknamed cholets, a portmaneau of chalet (a Swiss mountain house) and cholo (derogatory slang for indigenous person)." Just a small comment on the above paragraph from the article: While in mexico the word "cholo" is used on a derogatory manner, in the andes (Peru and Bolivia) the word Cholo is used also as a pride term (like the N word can be used in the US) So people often claim "Cholo Power" fo…

[deleted]

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#16

Post by mark336 »

I am a Peruvian Native. I think his designs are ok. They seem to be based on the Caporales dancer costumes and the typical Native garmets. If they have to be based on the traditional the buildings should be based on traditional architecture from Incan other Peruvian/Bolivian civilizations. And maybe, if possible, something that can be imagined by extrapolating what Incan/Other peruvian civs architecture would look like if the culture had been allowed to survive for another 500 years.

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#17

Post by robarr »

clueless123 wrote: post #11
notahacker wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Context is everything in architecture. The rest of El Alto is unfinished, artless concrete and terracotta like the adjacent buildings in some of the photos, so it definitely lifts the neighbourhood, and the centre of nearby La Paz is dominated by concrete towers painted in similarly bright colours that just aren't as interesting. It's the graffiti of the architectural world, and sometimes the neighborhood feels more…

I recently found out that "unfinished" structures in Peruvian emerging towns is by design, as you don't start paying property taxes on a building until is "finished" , leaving it on an eternal state of construction, avoids you those taxes..

Your story may be apocryphal. I live in Peru and the unfinished aspect is rather the result of the extended period (we are talking years) it takes poor families to build their houses and also from the fact that the vertical growth of the house reflects the growth of the family: the children as they become adults build and live on the second floor, the grandchildren on the third etc. These houses are always getting upgrades as the families grow and round up money and therefore are never finished. You can always see the metal rods sticking out of the cement columns because they always plan to add another floor. (Housing in Peru is mostly built on cement and bricks, except the poorest people, because of earthquakes).

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#18

Post by rendall »

mark336 wrote: post #16

I am a Peruvian Native. I think his designs are ok. They seem to be based on the Caporales dancer costumes and the typical Native garmets. If they have to be based on the traditional the buildings should be based on traditional architecture from Incan other Peruvian/Bolivian civilizations. And maybe, if possible, something that can be imagined by extrapolating what Incan/Other peruvian civs architecture would look li…

With respect, you seem to be saying he should not be designing the buildings he does, but he should rather design a set of buildings that you have clear ideas about. Honest thought: try sketching out your ideas. Send them to him, and ask for feedback, from him and others. It sounds like you have some vision!

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#19

Post by rrdujay »

barry-cotter wrote: post #12
clueless123 wrote: post #10

"His buildings are nicknamed cholets, a portmaneau of chalet (a Swiss mountain house) and cholo (derogatory slang for indigenous person)." Just a small comment on the above paragraph from the article: While in mexico the word "cholo" is used on a derogatory manner, in the andes (Peru and Bolivia) the word Cholo is used also as a pride term (like the N word can be used in the US) So people often claim "Cholo Power" fo…

> In this particular case, I believe "Cholets" is used as a proud "originality" term.. but it certainly could be used as a demeaning term by the local equivalents of the infamous USA "Karen" type :) You might want to consider your use of gendered slurs.

Am I right in understanding that you're referring to misgendering slurs?

Re: Neo-Andean Architecture in The Highest City in the World

#20

Post by barry-cotter »

rrdujay wrote: post #19
barry-cotter wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In this particular case, I believe "Cholets" is used as a proud "originality" term.. but it certainly could be used as a demeaning term by the local equivalents of the infamous USA "Karen" type :) You might want to consider your use of gendered slurs.

Am I right in understanding that you're referring to misgendering slurs?

No. Karen is a sexist, usually racist insult.
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