Re: Re: Irish Architecture Awards 2008 – Public Choice Award

What’s so wrong with having a public vote?

For sure it’s the lowest common denominator. Is that a problem? Unfortunately, you may find that in an attempt to bring architecture to the masses you have to deal with the, eh, masses. You may not like their decision, you may find it a bit twee, you may find their arguments uncouth and barbaric. But at the end of the day it is far more representative of what the average person thinks about buildings then what a jury of five architects produces.

Unless of course, you believe that the only people who should have an opinion on buildings are those with the correct breeding and education. In which case, I’d be interested to hear your views on democracy.

Go on the public vote. If it gets people thinking and talking, I’m all for it. 🙂