The wall, according to Koolhaas, is a barrier that separates and protects. It is a filter that controls the flow of air, light, and sound, while also providing a surface for doors and windows. Koolhaas sees the wall as a dynamic element that can be manipulated to create different effects, from transparency to opacity, and from openness to closure.
For those studying the PDF, pay close attention to the section on the . Koolhaas treats the toilet not just as a fixture, but as the ultimate symbol of the battle between the individual and standardization. He traces how this private room became a battleground for modernist efficiency, revealing that even the most private architectural moments are dictated by industrial standards and plumbing codes. rem koolhaas elements of architecture pdf