This month, I spent some time in Satu Mare. During that time, I stared at some 'Brutalist' architecture from the 1970s. It photographs nicely. The large scale concrete ornaments, sharp edges and repetitive patterns give the town's main square that Brutalist vibe.

On a closer look, you start noticing a small symbol. It's everywhere: carved on the back of the wooden seats in the auditorium, engraved in the main pillars at the entrance, poured in concrete next to the light posts. It's even part of the light posts themselves. This trident looking logo represents the three main ethnic groups present in the area: Romanians, Hungarians and Germans. It was an effort made by the government to create a unified history between the 3 cultures.

At that same time, in former Yugoslavia, the same thing was happening, mostly for two ethnic groups: Serbians and Albanians. This idea to create a unified culture, a compiled style, some common ground between two or more cultures that are otherwise divided, reminded me of something called Mission Economy. To put it shortly, Mission Economy is a collaboration framework between public and private institutions in order to get shit done. One example of this is the US Apollo missions - people got their shit together and landed someone on the Moon.

Yes I know. The examples I gave don't really include any private entities (lol). But let's imagine for a second that, for those, the government is still the government and the architects, designers and sculptures that made those things represent the private sector.

That collaboration gave us some very unique buildings in a style never seen before. While some would say they lack the environmental awareness, they seem eternal. The style is timeless and the structure is forever.

Related reads

Yugoslavian Brutalist Monuments You would think they feel intimidating to the human scale, but actually they make you feel safe. Like "wow that huge thing is there and I can go inside. it's there for me." Below are three examples from Kosovo. Read article

What is Mission Economy Mariana Mazzucato is probably an amazing economist. But she complains a lot. It was difficult for me to pick out some actionable steps she proposes. Anyway, I managed. You can read them below. Read article

Mission Economy in Architecture I asked ChatGPT about it and it gave me some outdated references. The article ends with my personal opinions. Read it below. Read article

Overall, I like Mazzucato's take on things. I do, however, recognise that involving the government so deeply in the markets it regulates is like your landlord moving in. And sometimes the guy's kind of a dick, smokes indoors, plays loud music and doesn't flush the toilet. And you still have to pay him rent.

What do you think about it?

In any case, forward this to somebody you think would be interested.

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