Michael Wolf and the Architecture of Density
German-born photographer Michael Wolf documents the extreme densities of Hong Kong. His series ‘Architecture of Density’ rarely contain images of people, instead letting the extreme scale of the buildings remain as the focus. The images are stunning, though I’m not quite sure how to react. It’s overwhelming to view the scale and enormity of the buildings, and then realize that people live there. The post-modernist in me wants to decry the lack of humanity in the high rises. But these images aren’t hopeless. After all, we created those buildings, right?
Says Rebecca Walker (.pdf):
A close look at one of Wolf’s architectural images uncovers irregularities such as plants, laundry and scaffolding that interrupt the orderly design of monolithic apartment buildings.
The monotonous regularity of each façade is given a distinct personality through human details.
Adds Kenneth Baker (another .pdf):
Various images describe the facades of monstrously tall and repetitive residential highrise buildings, views cropped to make the structures appear as if they might extend indefinitely, upwards and down.
Link via design industry. More after the jump
The camera eye appears to hover, nearly causing us to lose the sense of which direction is earthward, even in the images that include the tops of street lights. These structures seem almost to float free of the planet and extend themselves in space without constraint.
I’ll chose not to view these images as overwhelming or hopeless. After all, pull far enough out of any setting and you’ll realize just how small each of us are. I’m in there, somewhere.
December 27th, 2009 | Quote
[…] I came across images from Michael Wolf some time ago but just saw them again today. The series Architecture of Density shows some beautifully scary pictures of Hong Kong. originally seen at Magical Urbanism, reminded again by Kate Andrews […]
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Руководствуясь не нормой закона, а чьей-то “волей” сотрудники милиции решили “проверить” все фирмы, внесшие денежные средства в избирательный фонд неудобных кандидатов.
Начались “проверки” с телефонных звонков - где директор, сколько человек работает на фирме. После чего последовали “письма счастья” с просьбой предоставить всю бухгалтерскую документацию, учредительные документы фирмы, и даже, план экспликации БТИ.
Такие запросы химкинским фирмам рассылает 1 отдел Оперативно-розыскной части № 9 Управления по налоговым преступлениям ГУВД Московской области за подписью начальника подполковника милиции Д.В. Языкова.
И всё это в то время, когда Президент дал прямое указание правоохранительным органам о прекращении всех незаконных проверок малого и среднего бизнеса. С это целью внесены изменения в Федеральный закон “О милиции” - из статьи 11 этого закона исключены пункты 25 и 35, на основании которых ранее правоохранительные органы имели право проверять финансово-хозяйственную деятельность предприятий.
Видно, об изменениях действующего законодательства местные правоохранительные органы не уведомлены. И не смотрят телепередачи с выступлениями Президента.
Может быть, эта публикация подвигнет их к исполнению указаний Президента, а также к изучению и соблюдению действующего законодательства
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November 15th, 2008 | Quote
Stunning. As an former architecture and fine art student, these images really appeal. Truly stunning images.
November 13th, 2008 | Quote
[…] Faz algum tempo recebí essa dica do João Simi, e agora repasso dada a devida atenção… http://www.magicalurbanism.com/?p=127 […]
August 31st, 2008 | Quote
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August 21st, 2008 | Quote
[…] Michael Wolf es un fotografo Aleman, que realizo un documental en fotos conocido como “Architecture of Density” en donde refleja como viven la mayoria de las personas en Hong Kong: en un espacio monotono y muy reducido. Parece increible, pero estas fotos son verdaderas, no han sido retocadas ni manejadas digitalmente, asi es como vive la parte mayoritaria de la poblacion en Hong Kong . Via: Magical Urbanism Categoría: Diseño, Off Topic COMPÁRTELO Cerrar […]
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May 19th, 2008 | Quote
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January 2nd, 2008 | Quote
[…] Dense Hong Kong […]
January 1st, 2008 | Quote
[…] High Density Housing A series of beautiful and abstract photos of housing in Hong Kong. […]
December 24th, 2007 | Quote
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December 18th, 2007 | Quote
I was trying to figure out why my HK pictures don’t look like this….. Awesome pictures. Even more on his site. Thanks for posting.
December 11th, 2007 | Quote
I have lives in one of such buildings from the eastern block. What’s interesting is that the communications and relationships between people living there become much closer than in typical blocks of single family homes we see in US. Regardless if those images are photoshoped or not, they are not necessarily horrible. Form is just but one reflection of Urbanism.
December 10th, 2007 | Quote
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November 28th, 2007 | Quote
these pictures are not real…..i’m living in HK……this photographer use photoshop (or other software, i dunno) to copy the buildings and make it unbelievably tall and compacted….
omg…..HK is not that horrible……dun believe da pictures
November 12th, 2007 | Quote
[…] La arquitectura de la densidad […]
November 3rd, 2007 | Quote
[…] Sin perder de vista el delirio visual, here cometh Norbert Knox, una mezcla entre la pintura religiosa mejicana, las portadas más aberrantes del jebi metal y la colección de cromos ‘Monstruos Diabólicos’ (que por cierto, está recopilada aquí). Algo más sofisticadas y también diabólicas a su manera son las extrapolaciones urbanísticas de Michael Wolf: Arquitecture of Density. […]
October 19th, 2007 | Quote
Humans living in a cage.
October 19th, 2007 | Quote
Wow. Nice work –
July 25th, 2007 | Quote
I had the displeasure of spending a few weeks in Hong Kong on
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June 17th, 2007 | Quote
[…] arquitecture of density Michael Wolf and the Architecture of Density German-born photographer Michael Wolf documents the extreme densities of Hong Kong. His series Architecture of Density rarely contain images of people, instead letting the extreme scale of the buildings remain as the focus. The images are stunning, though Im not quite sure how to react. Its overwhelming to view the scale and enormity of the buildings, and then realize that people live there. The post-modernist in me wants to decry the lack of humanity in the high rises. But these images arent hopeless. After all, we created those buildings, right? Says Rebecca Walker (.pdf):A close look at one of Wolfs architectural images uncovers irregularities such as plants, laundry and scaffolding that interrupt the orderly design of monolithic apartment buildings. The monotonous regularity of each faade is given a distinct personality through human details. Adds Kenneth Baker (another .pdf):Various images describe the facades of monstrously tall and repetitive residential highrise buildings, views cropped to make the structures appear as if they might extend indefinitely, upwards and down. Link via design industry. More after the jump The camera eye appears to hover, nearly causing us to lose the sense of which direction is earthward, even in the images that include the tops of street lights. These structures seem almost to float free of the planet and extend themselves in space without constraint. Ill chose not to view these images as overwhelming or hopeless. After all, pull far enough out of any setting and youll realize just how small each of us are. Im in there, somewhere. __________________ free hugs here! […]
May 26th, 2007 | Quote
[…] May 26th, 2007 ( via magical urbanism ) […]
May 17th, 2007 | Quote
[…] Hong Kong: http://www.kirainet.com/edificios-inhumanos/ Tokyo: http://www.magicalurbanism.com/?p=127 […]
March 4th, 2007 | Quote
Frankly these architecture are beautiful— and I am proud of them.
Most of the dense supertalls (except the first pic) are NOT signs of poverty, rather they show the sign of wealth of the city.
These pics are the best of our residential side of Hong Kong, one of the most beautiful city around the world! Having a flat in a supertall is in fact a symbol of status.
I am now living in a small flat (circa 700 sq.ft) in Stanley, a high-income neighbourhood in Hong Kong. By far we claim that we have high living standard, despite our lack of spaces (and often smell of trash in Stanley)… Most of the residents are middle-class, crime problem is by far minor.
February 23rd, 2007 | Quote
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Hello,
I am a student studying at an international academy. We are required to research a topic that deals with world issues. My issue deals with population density, architectural styles, and each different culture’s opinions on personal space allowance. I found these pictures fascinating and was hoping that you might have more information on these topics. Your quotes take an interesting perspective. I would also like to say that the people who left comments about the culture’s necessities for space really helped to open my eyes wider.
If you could email me any information you may have regarding this topic, I would be much obliged.
If any of the people who commented on this topic could email me any new information or interesting sites that would be very helpful to my research as well!
Look_At_My_Rock@yahoo.com
February 8th, 2007 | Quote
[…] In Japan most of the people doesn´t live in buildings, they prefer family houses. Even though, there are some areas where there are lots of buildings that seem to be designed with the only purpose of keeping the maximum number of families without using too much space. The worst city in the world creating horrible huge buildings is Hong Kong, where the rich zone has incredible beautiful skycrapers but the poor suburbs are full of “architecture of density” (Click this link, the photos are impressive). […]
February 8th, 2007 | Quote
[…] En Japón la mayoría de la gente vive en casas en vez de edificios. Aun así hay ciertas zonas de edificios que parecen diseñados con el simple propósito de albergar el máximo número de famílias en el menor espacio posible. Para edificios horribles la gran ganadora es Hong Kong donde la zona rica está llena de rascacielos impresionantes y la zona pobre son todo construcciones inhumanas. ¿Hay unas fotos por Internet bastante impresionantes de Hong Kong, cuyo enlace no encuentro, alguien lo recuerda? Gracias a todos por el enlace -> magicalurbanism. […]
January 21st, 2007 | Quote
[…] […]
January 13th, 2007 | Quote
I have to do a case study on the population density of hong kong at school and this is the first website i found which is actually helpful! thank you very much. especially Nu.
These pictures are amazing! breath-taking. photographic genius. thank you
November 6th, 2006 | Quote
u said thousand things without words
November 4th, 2006 | Quote
Overwhelmed? It’s hard to believe these pictures are real. Beautiful yet terrifying. Images from The Matrix come to mind. I do not know whether HK is a nice city to live in - I suspect that next-door neighbours myay have differing answers - but I can well believe that even, or especially, in those massive buildings each and every little cell will be as individual as its owner.
November 2nd, 2006 | Quote
I think these buildings are absolutely beautiful.
Must visit Hong Kong now and see things like this for myself.
November 2nd, 2006 | Quote
omg…ich kenne diese photos alle schon, hab ich schon vor einiger zeit von dir gesehen!! unglaublich!!
lg, m.
November 1st, 2006 | Quote
omg. this is the not-so-nice side of HK. it’s overwhelming, in a not so nice way.
November 1st, 2006 | Quote
total hell.
November 1st, 2006 | Quote
excellent photograhy. sure are denst and pretty poor living conditions.
by the way, all cityies has there own problems. and wolf point out this.
“Don’t extrapolate from the dirty look of the building that the occupants are living in abject poverty! Or live in misery! They probably all have clean apartments, a decent standard of living, and normal standards of socialisation within their culture.”
Sure, dont blame the ones living there. Blame the one who build it!
ciao,
akrok
November 1st, 2006 | Quote
[…] Michael Wolf documenta as densidades extremas de Hong Kong através de fotos chocantes. Lembro de ler sobre isso um tempo atrás mas esse post num blog me lembrou do assunto. Só olhar a foto abaixo para imaginar o drama que deve ser residir num local como esse. [Michael Wolf] Add to: document.write(”Del.icio.us”) | Digg it | RawSugar | Slashdot | Y! MyWeb […]
September 25th, 2006 | Quote
These pictures are real, but they do not tell the full story of life in Hong Kong. I am from Hong Kong and it is one of the most dynamic places on earth. And as a urban planner by education, Hong Kong is probably the closest city there is to a model city in planning, transportation, and architecture. One must understand that there is a historical aspect to Hong Kong’s hyperdensity. It is a culmination of a small geographic space (only 85 developable square miles), a rapid postwar economy, a politically and economically situated location, a boom in immigration influx in the 1960s, and a government that at the same time is one of the most socially involved in the free world but also one of the most hands off as well. In other words, everything sort of just happend all at once, within the span of 40 or so years, starting in the 1960s. The result has admittedly been a free for all for developers in the Pacific Rim, as the highest amount of floor area ratio has always superceded other concerns. But it was at the same time part of the solution, as every year the government had to look for ways to house a ever increasing population.
If you were to go to Hong Kong, you would not get the impression that people are starving, or that their living conditions is social murder. It is, in fact, one of the wealthiest cities in the world with high education marks and one of the best public transportation systems in the world. In fact, the hyperdensity of Hong Kong is what makes it one of the most accessible, convenient, and vibrant cities on earth. The notion of overcrowded is a term used to denote places that due to its overpopulation, is unable to sustain itself in terms of living space, food, sustenance, and so on. There is a difference between overcrowded and high population density, the latter actually being a phenomenom that has many benefits economically, socially, and environmentally. Think of cities like New York, San Francisco, London, and Paris. Hong Kong is essentially the same, but more advanced in technology and town planning. This is not to say that there are places in Hong Kong that are total dumps but go to every major world city and I will show you a part of the city that is old and dirty and in need of repair.
Sorry for the novel, but my point is, there are things we can learn from dense cities like Hong Kong. Of course growing up in the west we are used to huge backyards, wide highways, and driving cars. For many other people in the world, the home is but a small part of their everyday life and the public urban realm becomes an extension of living for them; it is just as part of their home as the frontyard is to ours.
September 22nd, 2006 | Quote
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September 1st, 2006 | Quote
As a Aussie boy who has recently moved to HK, these are the first photos I have seen that show how the buildings in HK actually are. It is hard to describe how tall HK buildings are - especially to Australians. I live in a complex that has 5 towers of over 70 floors each. And that is not unusual.
These pictures are real, I assure you.
Recently in one suburb close to a beach (not on HK island though) the council has banned high-rise buildings. So, nothing over 13 floors. Also, some apartment complexes are that large they actual change the flow of are through the area.
With regards to the first photo, this is also not uncommon in some areas, but these are peoples homes and they do take pride in them (mostly). It is not social murder as one Poster said. It is reality and there are alot more people in the world worse off.
August 19th, 2006 | Quote
“They probably all have clean apartments, a decent standard of living, and normal standards of socialization within their culture.”
Sorry, but I have to say you are strictly incorrect, from an “insider” point of view. I, for one, live in Hong Kong (Is my notion Asian enough for you?) and speak some coherent English, and some of the conditions in those buildings - mainly spread along old urban districts such as Wai Chai, Chai Wan, Mong Kok etc.) is TERRIBLE. Most are built near the 60’s and 70’s, with inadequate fire systems, public toilets, very little space - usually only one room in the whole flat, very bad lighting and wiring that can cause electrocution etc. Few are even on the verge of collapsing, although it’s only 5 floors or so; just earlier this month, there are lots of cases of debris and window frames falling off the buildings. It’s not mainly the low-income families that lives there (they usually live in public housing, which has hygienic conditions to say the least) but the elderly. The elderly, who, despite the bad living conditions, refused to leave, because apparently they have “valuable memories within the building, and deep feelings”.
The situation is not as “hopeless” as it sounds though. The government is attempting to carry out “Urban Renewal”, demolishing ancient buildings and building newer ones in its place. However, it’s rather difficult when you have to provide shelter for the objecting residents (some of the elderly are even adamant to the point of refusing to leave their room - the living room - for a week over the news.)
“The funny thing is that there’s plenty of room in Hong Kong for people to spread out, they just don’t.”
Really? I don’t recall learning that even in Form 1 (Grade 7) geography. Hong Kong has a hilly terrain, with very little lowlands, there’s no denying that. As a result, many of us have to build high-raise buildings on the slopes. I’m fairly certain Hong Kong Island has a large population per square meter, thus the lack of space. If you’re talking about the “space” in the outlying islands, Kowloon and New Territories, firstly, the HK government is trying to go for a “greener” look, secondly, for convenient purposes, most of the population are gathered around Hong Kong Island - which, if you argue has space, I’ll call you delusional, and lastly, although it seemed more has moved to Kowloon and the New Territories in recent years, they ARE still newly developed towns.
“- most are very new, barely 10 years or so, its just that in the pacific region the heavy rainfall blackens and makes the buildings look filthy on the outside. Whereas westerners would paint the building, Asian’s for some reason don’t care.”
We DO care. If you look at buildings TWENTY years or so, you will discover that they’re painted in dull white, though brand new, or other assorted colors. If you look at buildings under one year old, like Ming Mun (The Legend) or even The Grand Promenade you’ll be amazed, if you think Hong Kong looks like such filth. They reach very high up into the sky - 80 floors or so I believe - the texture of the exterior is some glass material, I suppose, and the architectural style is…superb. Or just look at the twinkling skyscrapers in Central at night, over the Peak or Victoria Harbour - one word: gorgeous.
And Joe: Hong Kong is a place of beauty in its own right. See above.
August 15th, 2006 | Quote
It’s too bad you chose to end your remark by smugly insulting those who didn’t share your point of view. A little narrow-minded.
August 15th, 2006 | Quote
Yes Vince, I understand. In America or the UK (where I am from originally) if a block of flats looked like that then the insides would be a seathing cesspool of dirt and disease, no one would live there except criminals and drug addicts, and once enough people complained to the authorities, it would be torn down and the occupants split up and moved into nicer neighborhoods.
However, please everyone set aside your western notions, and just consider that since Asians don’t bother about painting buildings and the heavy rainfall turns the exterior black very quickly; many flats look like that on the outside.
Don’t extrapolate from the dirty look of the building that the occupants are living in abject poverty! Or live in misery! They probably all have clean apartments, a decent standard of living, and normal standards of socialisation within their culture.
But perhaps I’m talking from a viewpoint which is incomprehinsible to those who have never left their own country, and chose to comment upon the world from the comfort of their armchair? huh?
August 15th, 2006 | Quote
i wonder what our distant ancestors would have made of these pictures they seem to display a sense of an abject poverty of life quality yet they also hint at a quality of community never before witnessed or is it in fact austere isolation
August 15th, 2006 | Quote
I think he makes a valid point, though, about the ease of romanticizing other people’s misery. If this first photo to the left were a tenement in the Bronx, for example, we’d be calling for politicians’ heads, not speaking about being in awe of the scope of humanity.
August 14th, 2006 | Quote
To Rich, regarding your comments about the filtration of those people’s water or the routing of electricity. How very presumptious of you. I’ve saw many blocks of flats in the asia pacific region which look just like that, and most are very new, barely 10 years or so, its just that in the pacific region the heavy rainfall blackens and makes the buildings look filthy on the outside. Wheras westerners would paint the building, Asian’s for some reason don’t care. And who are we do even discuss the way others choose to live? There is no way to tell from that photograph, the living conditions inside, trust me. If you think that’s bad, take a trip to Bangkok; my how you’ll scream.
August 12th, 2006 | Quote
Hey Rich, put a cork in it. You are going to blame America for some problems with the waters of Hong Kong? That is idiotic. While it’s not a place I’d want to live, the people living there have the right to live where they choose. What do you suggest, knocking down their homes so they are out on the street? Or maybe since you aren’t a “resource whore” you should go over there and give them all your resources. Have a nice trip.
August 12th, 2006 | Quote
You people disgust me! LOOK AT THIS FIRST PHOTO! People are living there, in terrible conditions, with little or no filtration of their water, pourly routed electric, a sloping foundation. And this would be considered a palace to some people in the world, and all you jerks can think about is… wow… cool buildings. Yes maybe he is a architectural photographer… but please tell me you all are not as shallow as to only see the buildings in these pictures.
Stop being so goddamn “AMERICAN”!!! So self centered that when you look at photos like this, you say “oo neat buildings”. While some of you say “wow shows how small the world is” you follow it up with “COOL PICS!” Same kind of people who buy a backpack and without really knowing it think “Wow those indonesian kids really know how to put zippers on”
All i am saying is stop being so shallow and realize the social MURDER that is obvious here.
Thank you…
Now you may all feel free to bash me as much as you want… i dont really care. At least im not a self centered, arogant, recource whore!
August 12th, 2006 | Quote
These images seem to defy the laws of perspective. I am in awe of the structures. They tend to make one stop and think about how small our world really is.
August 11th, 2006 | Quote
Interesting to look at. Wouldn’t want to live there. Not sure they’re all real.
August 10th, 2006 | Quote
i should add that it reminds me of john register. the environments are distinctly human, but lacking any human presence. it gives me a sense of wonder mixed with despair. i like these a lot.
August 10th, 2006 | Quote
dig it.
August 10th, 2006 | Quote
Well… I don’t know what to say really, The sheer size of these buildings and I imagine the mass of people living in them is almost overwhelming. My complements to the photographer, I’ve never even seen buildings like these before.
August 10th, 2006 | Quote
the first one hit me hard, wow, …. amazing even if it is photoshop tricks
August 10th, 2006 | Quote
Just to be clear, these aren’t my photos. This is the work of photographer Michael Wolf.
August 9th, 2006 | Quote
i believe these photos are not hopeless, but actually the opposite
it appears as though we are meant to believe that these buildings stretch inifintely towards the sky, but somewhere up there, way at the top floor,
is a person whose bedroom window looks out over the entire world
August 9th, 2006 | Quote
Impressive. Your work suggests the limit of figurative towards abstract. I want to see more, because I’m puzzled. Yes, human is in there. And human may too be such an impressive structure. It is a question of perspective. Let me know of your work. I like it very much.
July 4th, 2006 | Quote
[…] Toplu konut böyle bir şey olsa gerek. Buradan başka fotoğraflara da ulaşılabilir. […]
July 4th, 2006 | Quote
It likes MATRIX movie. I think all of us, all humanity need space in our home and our mind
July 3rd, 2006 | Quote
wow they are interesting if they are not a photoshop trick ;)
July 3rd, 2006 | Quote
[…] Hiperdensidad urbanistica (Suena a espacial) […]
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
[…] Magical Urbanism » Michael Wolf and the Architecture of Density (tags: architecture) […]
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
that is real?
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
[…] Three years ago I went to Hong Kong for a vacation because after the first SARS outbreak, it was extremely cheap to travel there and I’d never been to Asia before. One thing I imagine every westerner is immediately struck by when going to someplace like Hong Kong is how everyone lives right on top of each other. There’s just no space between people’s personal spaces. The funny thing is that there’s plenty of room in Hong Kong for people to spread out, they just don’t. […]
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
[…] Michael Wolf and the Architecture of Density […]
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
As an Australian currently living and working in mainland China I understand the differences between what “western” people consider ’space’ and that same space that those of us who live in less developed parts of the planet consider a space.
This does not mean that I see that it is a good thing nor do I see it as a bad thing it is just different, and it is these differences that make our planet an interesting place to live - As a westerner in China I am faced with a constant stream of both preople and cars and lack of space - the space that I am alloted as a foriegner (working) in China is different to that a Chinese “worker” in the same position as myself is “allowed” I am costantly frustrated by this reverse discrimination - It seems to me that we all share the planet, so therefore we should all share our resources (including space) it is only the governments of the world that make this utopian dream impossible. Thanks also for the wonderful images.
July 2nd, 2006 | Quote
Amazing imagery. Thanks for introducing me to this photographers work
July 1st, 2006 | Quote
Those images are beautiful.
Just amazing.
TsH
July 1st, 2006 | Quote
Thanks for sharing, Gleb. I certainly have my own biases when it comes to personal space; it’s always to compare how different cultures perceive what is comfortable and what is not. Certainly Americans claim to need absurd amounts of space, at least compared to what much of the world is used to. It’s sounds like people in Hong Kong use private and public spaces in different ways.
July 1st, 2006 | Quote
I think people in Hong Kong have a different conception of personal space, especially when it comes to housing. People eat out a lot and hang out in public spaces - the home is seen as more of a basic dormitory. Most people I spoke to when I visited don’t seem to mind living in these huge apartment blocks.
July 1st, 2006 | Quote
[…] post does a good job at summarizing the concept. tags: photo link, photography, urban 2006-7-1-10:09 AM # via:Reddit […]