ABSTRACT
For those in search of a whipping boy for the evils of modern capitalism, the corporate research laboratory seems like an easy choice. Seeing these buildings from a passing car or a low-flying airplane (as in Figure 3.1 or 3.2), they might appear to reinforce any number of clichés about the kind of people—and the kind of knowledge—created when profit reigns supreme. 1 Their monolithic, repetitive architecture conjures images of the man in the gray flannel suit, stripped of individuality and creativity, rotting in New Jersey. Their huge lawns and manicured trees hint that these are closed, isolated fortresses that do not produce disinterested knowledge for the betterment of humanity, but instrumental knowledge that serves only the logic of capital. After all, aren’t these the places where nicotine is shown to be non-addictive, where rabbits are tortured to make cosmetics, and where promising young researchers trade their scholarly ambitions for a generous paycheck? The Esso Research Center in Linden, New Jersey. Were it not for the large corporate logo on the side of the building (seen on the left), this massive building might easily be mistaken for a socialist housing block. Designed by Voorhees, Walker, Foley, and Smith; opened in 1948. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315884141/77456718-6894-490c-8628-c07d15df5de4/content/fig3_1_B.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> From Charles Haines, “Planning the Scientific Laboratory,” Architectural Record 108 (July 1950): 107. Aerial view of the Johns-Manville Research Center in Manville, New Jersey. Designed by Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon; opened 1949. From Clifford Rassweiler, “The Johns-Manville Research Center Six Years Later,” Architectural Record 118 (September 1955): 222. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315884141/77456718-6894-490c-8628-c07d15df5de4/content/fig3_2_B.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
