Life Cycle of the A.p.t

These photos found on a photoblog show an apatu complex that is slowly falling to pieces. The first generation of apatu are now showing signs of degradation, and a lack of maintenance.  Does this indicate that their construction was designed to meet an immediate need and not the long term longevity of the neighborhood? Many of these are to be demolished and reconstructed, without attempts to salvage/retrofit them. The amount of servicing and air conditioning ducts that adorn the buildings, almost like ornamentation, reflect the amount of resources needed to sustain large populations living in high density.

servicing shafts

The scale of the individual is dwarfed in these complexes. When this architectural form is the dominant housing type, what kind of effect does this have on the community within - do they enjoy feeling part of the larger whole, or is this the monotony and scale oppressive? Naturally, this contrasts greatly with what I am used to in the UK where we have a penchant for individual family homes over communal living.

scale of the whole vs, the individual

This image shows the only signs of life - no people are shown but these small gardening projects show that some humanity is present. (This is perhaps relevant for you too Beni?) There may be a desire to personalise and soften such formal, oppressive spaces. Perhaps this indicates how public life functions elsewhere in the city, cropping up in the most unlikely of places.

Neighborhood gardening project?

All photos from http://blog.naver.com/youkizaki/20040073336