DogsonFire
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Originally posted by AndrewP
I just hope that thing the Sunday Times printed that looks like a giant black gantry doesn’t get built….I have to confess to not seeing this image. Is it possible to see this somewhere other than the Times, a publication i’m unable to have access to.
Isn’t looking outside your own region and believing all is good and great from the mighty kingdom also parochial thinking. Admiration and respect for other design disciplines, methodology and aesthetic is only too normal, but a belief in the same as some sort of holy grail is questionable. Yes, a phenomena, aka the black obelisk of 2001 Space Odyssey, is a truly remarkable attribute of a successful project, but there are many others who I think can deliver such.
If one wants a champion to bring forward the debate on local culture then choose wisely, I would recommend.
The question is: is this the attribute the sponsor’s of the competition are seeking from the winning entry? No idea, with the only clue being in the brief which is full of same old waffle you get in any architectural brief!
If this competition is to become some sort of criticism session of one Architect and his Architecture surely this has wasted the time, energy and money of the 500 or so who made the submission.
The Architectural Competitions for the Architect is compelling and titillates the egocentric side that the Architect cannot deny .If you do deny then quite frankly (no pun intended) you’ve lost the race before you start! It is therefore a vice which the Architect can not deny but knows it utter madness as it takes time, resources (I note previous accounting on this issue) and energy all of which many argue are best channelled towards actual fee related work. Therefore a dilemma which the Developer, Investor or competition sponsor panders to and in fact takes advantage of as it is a little like the power of Chocolate (I refer to the movie). But what options does the Architect have: Basically-Yes or No to entering is clear:
If Yes then how much and for how long etc, etc.
If No then a short period of second thoughts, which are rekindled, when the results are announced.
So, a short psychological synopsis and perhaps not applying to all but I suspect to many!
It is therefore disappointing that the “authorities†have not recognised the hype this one would conjure up. I mean let’s face it, a Tower and U2 -an Architect’s dream for a brief (brings back those arcane student briefs!) and therefore a real fantasy for the ego to coerced with and by.
The rewards are obvious (beyond that of fee) and not that one would become immortal but damn close providing it’s a brilliant project!
Therefore the pressure is enormous.
It is with all this in mind that it is very discouraging, that if the rumour is true, all the 500 have followed the pied piper in a dance, which should never have started. It is certainly a bad time for the competition as a tool for moderating such issues.
DDDA should have realised this issue and given the Jury a chance to act realistically ( and heaven forbid professionally) by having a 2 stage: aka Grand Egyptian Museum Competition (UIA rules). But it’s too late for that and so………….
Therefore solutions:
1.1 Elect Frank Gehry to the Jury (on the basis his project is merely a picture or sketch which U2 had some fascination with).
Or
1.2 Simply disqualify FG entry (if it is his) as it clearly breaks the rule of anonymity
Or
1.3 FG withdraws gracefully2.0 Then publish the Whole jury list
3.0 Publish the Date of assessment and results
4.0 Publish all entries (medium to be decided but hard copy is always a favourite) and issue to all Competitors
5.0 Exhibit a Short list of project
6.0 Publish the Juries Report(s)
Lastly, good luck and very much lastly remember: all Publicity is Good publicity! That’s why we do it!
