Analysis
SUBMITTED BY BJG DATE 03 - 08 - 2010

While in Helsinki, Finland, I began to think about residential construction after seeing many superb and modern examples. All over the city, I saw block after block of sleek, new, and unique "high rises." I immediately began thinking of the differences between this and some of the still-developing countries we have visited. I don't think there could be more of a difference than those seen in Egypt. The structures share many similarities: many are of structural concrete with brick infill shell, but the differences between the construction and detail lead to analysis of what makes a building "livable" instead of just "inhabitable." In Egypt, the construction ended there (if it ended at all: most buildings were left intentionally unfinished for tax breaks). The concrete structure was replicated as many times as necessary and the exterior was blocked in with brick and small glassless apertures. One extended family would stay in each one-room apartment. No attention at all was paid to detailing or site planning. The units and the complexes were bleak and I would imagine that those inhabiting each unit would wake up every morning with thoughts of grinding out the rest of the day, or the rest of their existence in a constant fight for little improvement. In Helsinki, the structures and material didn't stray that much from this plan but where they did, it seems to make a world of difference. The brick buildings opened up with windowed balconies, attention was paid to site planning and corridors opened up to semi-private squares where residents could play or rest. The material selection differed enough to create unique structures that residents could use for means of way-finding and identification and steel "crowns" decorated the buildings (often with bright, cheerful colors). All of these details lead to individuality among the buildings and complexes, and I would guess, among those living within. My thoughts then, are that attention to the inhabitant vary among scales (with public spaces at the site planning scale providing places of retreat) and that individuality is a vital aspect of designing residences (one that is often overlooked in developer-designed "cookie-cutter" neighborhoods of American suburban culture).