Once again, I've returned to the nest for another lecture. This time, the topic is is "What Not to Build." The lecture was not so much about using specific projects as case studies for what should and shouldn't be built. The presentation, a conversation between USC School of Architecture Dean Ma Qingyun and Anthony Marnell, alumni of USC School of architecture Class of 1972, centered on the need for architects to spend less time designing and more time learning how to build. Mr. Marnell also stressed the importance of taking art history classes, citing their value in understanding historic context. Personally speaking, I was thrilled to hear an architect singing the praises of a history class. Too often, the humanities are dismissed by architecture students as just a requirement for the degree with little relevance to their studies. I think it'll dovetail nicely into the post about whether or not architects have lost touch with the users of their buildings and spaces. The presentation began with a highlight reel of mostly large-scale commercial projects-resort hotels by Mr. Marnell's firm Marnell Properties, an architecture and development company in his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada. The moderator of the discussion was USC professor of architectural history James Steele.
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| Xuhui Landscape Bridge Shanghai, China 2007 Ma, Qingyun arcchicago.blogspot.com |
Moderator James Steele posed the question of two different directions in architect: market and social reality and exploring new technologies. Are they incompatible?
Anthony Marnell: architecture not moving at all. Architecture has become contrived. Why do buildings 500 years look one way versus the way buildings look today? Contemporary buildings have no great country or global ideal, they've become more individual. Everything goes. There's no foundation. Contemporary buildings are different for the sake of being different.
Ma Qingyun: similarities. All architects are trying to make sense of purpose, place, people. Similarities of style is not issue, style is guided by client. Technology and function are time past
AM: the client wants product to market quickly. Technology is an excuse for getting the product to the market quickly. The architect is an integral part of solution, not passing solution off to another-everyone has an agenda and architecture is an artificial disciple. It would be nice to have an unlimited budget and time. If it's not right, go in and change it
JS: Discuss the changing social landscape and the role of AIA designation.
AM: both a contractor and an architect, not a formal member of the American Institute of Architects, made an honorary member. You can be a contractor or an architect, and make right moral decision without the AIA designation. Everyone with architect degree can make those decisions. People and places shouldn't get confused, you can make an honest mistake.
MQ: regarding development in China-desire to build and deal with the consequences runs differently. It's more about social ambition. Architects by accident, are given more impact in the prices, allowing them to enjoy their role. Our role to claim social responsibility and have a willingness to claim responsibility to the client, society, and sensitivity to place. The architect should return to more.
AM: has walked away from work. Some buildings that shouldn't been built, such as the City Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr Marnell came close to abandoning the project because the program too much. The architect has to have courage to walk away and must have ability to make that decision.
JS: question to MQ-is development in China a matter of zeitgeist or economics?
Chinese contemporary architecture is fantasy and colossal. It is something universal, not particular to China. There has to be a way to stifle it and transfer to human-scale. Referring to Learning From Las Vegas, there has to be a new humanness and new challenges.
AM: building the Las Vegas buildings for architectural critics in Los Angeles. The buildings are very disciplined in structure, all set to modules. This makes it easier to arrange the space, allow the architect make choices. Once the problem is identified the solution is simple. Consciousness of people
and place
JS: The education and training of an architect.
and place
JS: The education and training of an architect.
AM: architectural education: summer internships. Work in construction. See if you can convey the way you want to someone else. The cleaner you understand who's going to help you, the better you see your vision realized more accurately. Focus on the idea of architecture. Take art history classes you learn that there are no original idea like the wheel and it will awaken your consciousness. You need to know history. You're building for a society that can't spell architecture, thus, it's important to understand tools of the trade-communication, who the customer is and why development. One example of successful commercial development is the Rio Hotel. Hopefully you know something about architecture not something about client business, give client a real product that is successful. At some point the architect can do this. The practical architect then can design. Buildings came from inside out are better building. Truth is the end expression. Learning From Las Vegas: architecture and design should be not taken seriously. Waiting to solve problem, you end up doing nothing. Take buildings too seriously, they get torn down. It's the beginning of the atomization of an idea. Size and scale began change in seventies. Projects were built to function and for affordability. Any left over money is for the frou. The future of high speed rail Los Angeles-Las Vegas is going nowhere. Progress happens for us not to us. We all want to be different, yet the same
MQ role of architects and architecture-present other ways of looking at architecture and define profession. Designing and building should come together.
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