Architecture: I’m the Designer. My Client’s the Autocrat.

Posted on June 21, 2008

An oh-so-good article that questions the very basis of the profession of architecture and it’s role in our world. What a great debate to be involved in. What great questions that we need to be asking ourselves.

By designing high-profile buildings that bolster the profile of a powerful client, do architects implicitly sanction the client’s actions or collaborate in symbolic mythmaking?

Or in the long run does architecture transcend politics and ideology? If the architect’s own vision is progressive, can architecture be a vehicle for positive change?

And then this quote from a prominent high-profile architect.

“I’ve always been interested in an architecture of resistance — architecture that has some power over the way we live,” added Mr. Mayne

Living in one of these countries and thinking about designing here makes these questions all the more real. Even if you don’t, I think they are important questions to consider. I can’t help but wonder, when looking at these buildings, if these actually are the right questions. The design almost seems to be disconnected from the root of the debate.

I would encourage you to read the article in it’s completeness.

Architecture: I’m the Designer. My Client’s the Autocrat. A recent speech by Daniel Libeskind has reanimated a debate among architects over the ethics of working in countries with repressive leaders or shaky records on human rights.

Inspiration

Posted on June 15, 2008

Where does yours come from? Most often? And via what medium?

It happened to me this evening. I was watching Becoming Jane a somewhat historical look at the life of Jane Austen, and a look at the history behind one of her most famous books originally titled First Impressions, it is now recognized as one of the greats, Pride and Prejudice.

It’s actually a fairly well done movie. At least, I enjoy the hand-held style in which it is shot. There is also the use of ‘transitional close-ups’ that I quite enjoy. But, where I find inspiration in this movie isn’t necessarily specific to this movie. It’s a common experience for me. As common as these movies come around, I suppose. Most any movie whose plot involves writing or writers seems to tug at my creative mind, and inspires me to create. Most of the time I can’t even finish watching them. I must cut them off and pull out my fountain pen and parchment [which is really hard to find in China].

There’s a short list of movie’s I’ve collected that seem to have this effect. Observe: All the President’s Men, Dead Poets Society, The Killing Fields, Finding Neverland, Goodnight & Goodluck, Almost Famous, just to name a few. Any more recommendations? What inspires you?

Abandonment

Posted on June 5, 2008

I have neglected the latest in design happenings lately. It just sort of happened. Maybe there simply isn’t much going on in the design world right now. Of course, I know that is not true. Only I have failed to take notice.

Lately my thoughts on design have simply been through the lens. Observing mainly. I’ve been watching people and listening to them. Seeing how they interact with their surroundings. Quite effortlessly here in this foreign land. They are part of their surroundings here.

Now i believe this only holds true when I’m traveling in the countryside. For even here, as in my homeland, there is a constant struggle for man when he is existing in his own manmade surroundings. Within the created landscape, there is this definite conflict. This tension for him to be in the surroundings that he created, yet not becoming part of them. He is always living in them at a distance.

© Copyright all things design