About yesterday's poll...
As many of you know, I've been reading lots of books on urban planning and architecture. One of the concepts that I find exciting is Biophilia especially as it applies to design and Victor Horta who established the "Brussels Ribbon Pattern" which is widely considered the earliest form of Art Nouveau. I look at Charles Rennie Mackintosh whose designs in Glasgow maximized sunlight. He was a precursor to Frank Lloyd Wright and Mackintosh and Horta both influenced Louis Sullivan who was Frank Lloyd Wright's partner early in Wright's career.
(By the way, this is one reason I'm so mad that I left off Eero Saarinen.)
I didn't just list architects I liked. I prefer Wren to Hawksmoor, for instance, though their styles are very similar and Hawksmoor worked for Wren (who learned from Inigo Jones). While their styles are more classical and imposing, Wren especially worked with light and the placement of his buildings in a wider environment.
My apartment, though part of a block long building, has a little park in back for residents. It was built just before central air conditioning became standard, so the balconies are stacked in such a way that they provide shade even though the windows are floor to ceiling allowing in a maximum amount of light in the winter. It's not to everyone's taste aesthetically, but as a living space, it's very comfortable and allows connection with the environment. Cloethiel Woodard Smith did a good job.
Arena Stage reopened in a redesigned building soon after I moved to the neighborhood. Bing Thom did a wonderful job connecting the space to the waterfront.
On the other hand, Frank Gehry, in my opinion, ignores practicalities and often ignores other elements in the environment. On a third hand, Studio Gang Architects created a high rise that breaks up wind rather than amplifies it while creating a unique and intriguing facade.
I'd love to hear about architects you admire and how you feel about the way they use the existing environment or help create a new one.
(By the way, this is one reason I'm so mad that I left off Eero Saarinen.)
I didn't just list architects I liked. I prefer Wren to Hawksmoor, for instance, though their styles are very similar and Hawksmoor worked for Wren (who learned from Inigo Jones). While their styles are more classical and imposing, Wren especially worked with light and the placement of his buildings in a wider environment.
My apartment, though part of a block long building, has a little park in back for residents. It was built just before central air conditioning became standard, so the balconies are stacked in such a way that they provide shade even though the windows are floor to ceiling allowing in a maximum amount of light in the winter. It's not to everyone's taste aesthetically, but as a living space, it's very comfortable and allows connection with the environment. Cloethiel Woodard Smith did a good job.
Arena Stage reopened in a redesigned building soon after I moved to the neighborhood. Bing Thom did a wonderful job connecting the space to the waterfront.
On the other hand, Frank Gehry, in my opinion, ignores practicalities and often ignores other elements in the environment. On a third hand, Studio Gang Architects created a high rise that breaks up wind rather than amplifies it while creating a unique and intriguing facade.
I'd love to hear about architects you admire and how you feel about the way they use the existing environment or help create a new one.