Posted by Richard Haut on May 23, 2001 at 20:29:13:In Reply to: Is architecture dead. posted by Alex on April 22, 2000 at 15:12:09:
architecture dead ? no, just feeble.
there are tough individuals - like Zaha Hadid - but very few.
surely the changes being brought about by new media and changes in life-styles should bring new concepts in design, not weak resignation ?
in my experience architects allow themselves to be compromised - or even sidelined - without a single murmur of protest.
as for styles in architecture, it seems to me that for many today if they have the nerve to put in some minor adjustment or colour change on a project, they have to go and hide under their desk afterwards.
instead of the rise of little people with over-sized egos (as applies to some "brand-name" architects), a few people with courage and a sense of responsibility could have spectacular results.
remember that most architectural movements were really only seen as movements retrospectively.
architecture is becoming a split profession: a tiny number of truly creative individuals - and the then all the rest.
why ? go to their offices. are they creative environments ? very rarely these days - then go to Zaha's office. the difference is noticeable.
some decades ago, there was a British architectural movement which included the remarkable Peter and Alison Smithson (e.g.Economist Building, St.James' Street, London) which was called the New Brutalists.
what would you call today's lot ? the old-before-their-time Feeblists ? clients admire courage - not weakness.
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