Re-Brief Script

The ultimate success of the Rockefeller Center by Raymond Hood and his team was determined by a number of contributing factors.  Factors that only existed due to the specific conflicts of the time and context of the project.  Five key factors can be described as:

-       Aesthetics and scale: The hope of the American public that they could strive through the Great Depression by building high and with extraordinary glamour.

-       Global Stage: Straight from the First World War, the amalgamation of world cultures to increase tolerance and help trade links was fundamental

-       Mixing and stacking programme: The schism of programme, and infrastructure ensured congestion throughout would occur.

-       Gardens: On the roofs, the Gardens allow occupants to use the roof and to give a better view to those overlooking it.

-       Grid erasure: The creation of the Plaza at ground breaks the Manhattan grid thus creating a charged void, or focal point to be attracted to.

The Inverted City

The factors that Raymond Hood was facing eighty years ago, we are now facing today.  The conflicts and context have changed, but the solutions are the same.  Just this time, on a much larger scale.  The five key factors above can therefore be Re-Described as the following.

-       Aesthetics and Scale: The American economy is in turmoil. New economies are emerging and threatening to end America's position as the Worlds only SuperPower.  The American people need hope.

-       Global Stage: It has never been so critical to unite the Worlds cultures and religions to ensure the end to terrorism and conflicts throughout.

-       Mixing Programme: The success of the Inverted City to be a city within a city, it will need the critical mass of users and programmes.

-       Gardens: Not just for a view, but the Gardens will become the power house to kill the micro-cities carbon emissions. Agriculture, allotments, gardens and forest will capture the C02 from the city below.  Food will be provided. Vegetarian style.  Rain water will be captured and filtered. Waster water will be recycled.

-       Grid Erasure: Both on Ground and above, the city sits on a SuperBlock, bounded by the Manhattan grid, but devoid of it within.  Vehicular infrastructure does not exist. Vertical Subways, diagonal escalators and the use of walking moves the population.

Re-Briefing the Rockefeller Center will be Re-Briefing the Rockefeller Center TODAY.  Raymond Hood, Rockefeller and their team had a vision for their time.  A vision entirely to help solve the problems of Manhattan, and the World then.  If they were alive now, what would they design?  The Conflicts and Context are different. Politeness is useless. As they were then, we must be brave and bold. A new city beckons.