Corridors: Passages of Modernity

This book is the first comprehensive history of the corridor, from its origins in country houses and utopian communities to its transformation into a place of unease in the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2019
Publisher: Reaktion Books

Yet these passageways, which we traverse throughout our lives, are often overlooked, undervalued, and disregarded in architectural histories, monographs, and guidebooks. They are viewed as mere functional components of a building's infrastructure rather than as architectural masterpieces. This book is the first comprehensive and definitive history of the corridor, spanning from its origins in country houses and utopian communities in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to its emergence in reformist Victorian prisons, hospitals, and asylums. It also examines the corridors of power, bureaucratic labyrinths, and housing estates of the twentieth century. By drawing upon a diverse range of sources, including architectural history, fiction, film, and television, Corridors delves into the transformation of the corridor from a utopian ideal to a source of unease, often associated with nightmares.

The corridor has a rich and complex history, evolving from its initial purpose as a means of circulation within a building to become a symbol of power, control, and confinement. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, country houses and utopian communities were often designed with wide, open corridors that served as a central gathering space for residents. These corridors were adorned with intricate architectural details, such as ornate moldings, stained glass windows, and elaborate chandeliers, creating a sense of grandeur and elegance. However, as society began to shift towards more industrial and bureaucratic structures, the corridor took on a different meaning. In the Victorian era, prisons, hospitals, and asylums were designed with long, narrow corridors that were intended to control and restrict the movement of inmates, patients, and patients. These corridors were often dimly lit, with minimal ventilation, and were filled with rows of cells, beds, and medical equipment. The design of these corridors was intended to create a sense of order and discipline, as well as to prevent escape and unauthorized access.

However, the corridor also became a symbol of oppression and confinement. Inmates were often subjected to harsh conditions, with limited access to food, water, and human contact. Patients were often isolated and alone, with little opportunity for social interaction or recreation. The design of these corridors was intended to create a sense of control and order, but it often had the opposite effect, creating a sense of anxiety, depression, and despair.

As society continued to evolve, the corridor took on new meanings and forms. In the twentieth century, the corridors of power became increasingly important as politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives sought to maintain control and consolidate their power. These corridors were often designed with a sense of grandeur and opulence, with high ceilings, ornate moldings, and luxurious furnishings. They were filled with rows of desks, computers, and telephones, creating a sense of efficiency and productivity. However, these corridors also became a symbol of bureaucracy and hierarchy, with power concentrated at the top and little opportunity for upward mobility or innovation.

Bureaucratic labyrinths, on the other hand, were characterized by their complexity and confusion. These corridors were often filled with endless rows of filing cabinets, desks, and telephones, creating a sense of overwhelm and disorientation. Employees were often required to navigate through a maze of rules, regulations, and procedures, with little guidance or support. The design of these corridors was intended to create a sense of order and control, but it often had the opposite effect, creating a sense of frustration and resentment.

Housing estates, meanwhile, were characterized by their uniformity and homogeneity. These corridors were often designed with a sense of efficiency and convenience, with minimal architectural detail and minimal variation in layout. They were filled with rows of identical apartments, houses, and bungalows, creating a sense of community and stability. However, these corridors also became a symbol of isolation and loneliness, with little opportunity for social interaction or connection.

Despite its negative associations, the corridor has also been celebrated as a symbol of creativity and innovation. In the early twentieth century, artists and architects began to experiment with the design of corridors, using them as a canvas for their artistic expression. They used lighting, color, and texture to create a sense of drama and intrigue, creating spaces that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In conclusion, the corridor has a rich and complex history, evolving from its initial purpose as a means of circulation to become a symbol of power, control, and confinement. It has been overlooked, undervalued, and disregarded in architectural histories, monographs, and guidebooks, but it has also been celebrated as a source of creativity and innovation. This book is the first comprehensive and definitive history of the corridor, spanning from its origins in country houses and utopian communities to its emergence in reformist Victorian prisons, hospitals, and asylums. By drawing upon a diverse range of sources, including architectural history, fiction, film, and television, Corridors delves into the transformation of the corridor from a utopian ideal to a source of unease, often associated with nightmares.

Weight: 892g
Dimension: 226 x 178 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789140538