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

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

I approve of chimneys that aren't on outside walls, because half the heat isn't going outside (sideways at any rate. Lots goes up the chimney flue.)

But having the basic work space available to the family in general is an excellent one.

Re: The Emperor Has No Clothes

[laurion]

Oh, I agreee with the principle, I just feel that, like many notions in architecture, htat it has been taken Too Far(tm). Have you seen modern houses? There's not enough walls for bookcases, and the overconnectedness that makes the living room the main hallway as well unfairly constricts furniture layout choices. Wright understood that a little bit more, and made a lot of 'built in furniture', but there isn't much of that anymore.