Shocking, just shocking...

[jducoeur]

The news of the day is that MIT is suing architect Frank Gehry, because -- shock, surprise -- it turns out that Stada Center is badly designed. I could have told them that years ago.

Yes, yes -- the problem isn't that the building is ugly, it's that it is actually disfunctional. But y'know, those aren't unrelated. The rules of architecture were developed for good reason, and casting them (not to mention common sense) aside in the name of Art is always a bit dangerous...

Comments

Re: The Emperor Has No Clothes

[goldsquare.livejournal.com]

The Pei firm was also capable of brilliance and beauty...

Alas, much of it was like software design - clever for the sake of impressing fellow devotees, not so good for us mere humans.

I'd go re-read Ayn Rand now, but her books really stink. Same problem. :-)

Re: The Emperor Has No Clothes

[yakshaver.livejournal.com]

When I was briefly smitten with Rand in my 20s, the first hint of trouble came when she described Roark's building and I realized she'd been drinking le Corbusier's rotgut — and thought it was fine wine. My lifelong habit of excessive loyalty even in the early stages of a relationship once again bit me, and I ended up sticking with her until I got to Galt's speech. But that ended it.