The Dialectic is insatiable

The Slatin Report.

Such virtuosity begins to ring hollow, because it solves no problems and addresses addresses no issues beyond its own composition and construction.  Assessing a design problem requires an open mind, taking the largest possible view of both the immediate site and the urban-design implications for surrounding buildings and spaces. But Gehry can only design in one mode, and that is the starring role, belting out show stoppers at the top of his lungs. He is the Ethel Merman of architecture.

The problem with starchitecture is (at least) two fold:
1. It diverts public attention/discussion from the mundane elements of the street -- the details which actually count in creating the urban experience.
2. It encourages a suspension of critical thinking because of the presumptive and well-touted "genius" of the designer.

Comments

[Tommer Peterson]

Ethel Merman was a little more consistent.

I had the opportunity to hear Gehry speak at a private event at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA a few weeks ago. He was a little disadvantaged in that he followed DaKah, a 70 piece hip-hop orchestra that brought down the house. I was underwhelmed at Gehry’s remarks. He only hinted at the difficult gestation and birth of this building, and during the brief Q&A he sidestepped every question with a grace that would have left …what’s-his-name, the former California governor who was president for a while…envious.

The building itself is another one of those Gehry shiny things on the outside. But, the interior of the main concert hall is pretty astounding. The ceiling quietly echoes the shape of traditional theatrical curtains, and the seating is divided into odd sections that give the illusion of being in a much smaller space than the actual 2,665 seats that it holds.

While avoiding anything about the 16 years and $174 million over the original estimate of $100 million it took to build the place, Gehry did offer these tidbits.

- The biggest single factor influencing acoustics in designing a concert hall in the US, is the fire code. The number of exits, proximity to seating, and size of aisles and doors drive the entire design. Interesting thought. What kind of hall could be envisioned if one didn’t care if the audience all died.

- The interior wall surfaces, originally deigned to be painted plaster, were covered with a veneer of clear fir. This had nothing to do with sound quality per se, but was done because research by Nagata Acoustics showed that people "felt "the sound was better in a wood hall. He called this "psycho-acoustics." Cost for the veneer skin added $5 million to the project.

My favorite part of the building is the exploded pipe organ behind the main stage. After years of seeing organ pipes lines up like toy soldiers, it is a real breakthrough. It looks like some giant threw a pipe organ against the wall and it stuck. Gehry’s earlier signature of random angled beams found its home.

One last tidbit, not from Gehry. You may have heard how the Disney company is a pit bull about copyright. Apparently the Disney family had to get permission from the corporation to use the name on the building, since "Walt Disney" is a trademark. Walt must have rolled over in his freezer.

[miss representation]

And the problem with armchair urbanism is that it empowers people to believe that personal preference is the same thing as planning and individually expressed but uncompromised opinion is the same thing as community.

[David Sucher]

What is "armchair urbanism?"

[miss representation]

90% of the people spouting off about New Urbanism. Present company exlcuded, of course. We got degrees and shit.

The point being that far more people attack 'architects' and 'planners' as blights on the landscape, when in point of fact, they have done the least damage, porportionally or literally. The antidote, often clad in gingerbread detailing and malformed nostaglia, is in fact the newest iteration of ideas that have ruined much of our country, all while architects and planners stand on the sidelines, helpless or hopeless. Frank Ghery becomes a synecdoche for 'professional designers or planners' for people who have no idea who Michel de Certeau, Christopher Alexander or Kevin Lynch are.

[Benjamin Hemric]

I like the Morris Newman quote -- especially, "Such virtuosity begins to ring hollow, because it solves no problems and addresses no issues beyond its own composition and construction." Well put.

I also enjoyed Newman's Ethel Merman metaphor. However, to be fair to Ethel Merman, although she did indeed appear to revel in belting out songs, she apparently also had a nice soft way with ballads too, at least early in her career. Which, in a way, may make Newman's Gehry/Merman metaphor even more appropriate, as I assume sometime earlier in his career Gehry probably, out of necessity if nothing else, utilized his architectural talents on less bombastic buildings too.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I basically agree with David's analysis of the problem with "stararchitecture," but would personally insert a third item to the list:

The problem with starchitecture is (at least) three fold:

1. It further encourages a "thing" approach to urbanism and thereby further diverts public attention/discussion away from the non-design elements of good urbanism -- it further encourages the idea that good urbanism pretty much begins and ends with "good" urban design (however one defines it) of single "architect-designed" structures. (In other words, it inflates the role of architects and architecture in good urbanism.)

I think (last spring's?) discussion on "Disney Hall as good urbanism" (on this blog and on the TradArch internet mailing list) is a good illustration. People seemed to feel that if one could demonstrate that the building passed muster in terms of good urban design (e.g., the way the building related to surrounding sidewalks and streets) that this would be the same as saying that this prominent building was a significant force for good urbanism.

Although David's original first comment might be thought to be saying essentially this same thing about stararchitecture, I think it is really more useful to see the two comments as describing two different problems with stararchitecture. (In the "clarified" version of David's number one comment, which follows, my additions are in brackets.)

2. It diverts public attention/discussion [away] from the mundane [design] elements of the street -- the [urban design] details which actually count in creating the [pedestrian's] urban experience.

(In other words, stararchitecture tends to focus on grand "wow" effects and thereby diverts attention away from the practical "little" matters that make for truly good urban design.)

3. It encourages a suspension of critical thinking because of the presumptive and well-touted "genius" of the designer.

[Michael McAteer]

I am an Armchair Urbanist who does not have a degree and shit. I wish there were credentialed and active Urbanists in my city of interest, Camden New Jersey, but there are none. Consequently, our Economic Recovery Board is populated 100% by members who have no experience in Urban Renewal whatsoever. And it shows, by the ridiculous plans and lack of results which are the end product. Our ERB is the result of a special legislative act in New Jersey, which only applies to Camden. We are the only city in New Jersey that does not have a government. Our city govt. was dissolved almost four years ago, after the third of the last five mayors went to prison for graft. A sort of ceremonial govt., subservient to the ERB was left in place. The Economic Recovery Act expires in little more than a year. At expiration, the asylum will return to the inmates. However, the percent of eligible voters who turn out for elections is so small, that an influx of educated sensible voters of only a few thousand could turn things around for the better for ever. At the moment no one has come up with a new development / neighborhood design that can attract the Urban Professionals, artists, Gay couples and Urban Pioneers of all stripes that could make a difference. Camden is only one mile and one subway stop from Philadelphia's commercial, historic, cultural, and high end residential areas, like Rittenhouse Square. ( The Recovery Act. Can be extended for another two years if the legislature approves.)
Camden is the poorest city in the nation, and last Monday received the "most dangerous city in America" designation from the FBI for the second year in a row. I guess this is enough to keep out Urbanists; I'm sorry to see that not one influential Urbanist has the guts to plant his or her flag here. Camden is the Mt. Everest of Urban Renewal scenarios. There is a place for us armchair Urbanists by default when you degreed'ed and credentialed and shit Urbanists over look the blank and needy canvas of places like Camden. Okay, it is dangerous and poor. Is there not one among you who has the constitution to live dangerously? Possibly some good design implementation in some neighborhoods could make them safer and attractive. The Urbanist who succeeds in Camden will be a hero, known far and wide in Urbanist circles.
As for "stararchitecture" I recently contacted Gehry Partners to find out what a organization must bring to the table to interest Gehry Partners in a museum design. I did not get a response. My guess is that my "arm-chair Urbanism showed through. Fumble we must when no true Urbanist is around to rely on and communicate through. ( I happen to like that term, "Armchair Urbanist." I don't find it derogatory when used in the context of having to be an Urbanist by default circumstances. It feels better than "dilettante," )
In the spirit of Armchair Urbanism I have maintained a amateur website, www.CamdenNewJersey.org, for anyone who is curious about the city for any reason. Although it is amateur, it predates the official city govt. site by about one year and attracts the most visitors for all things Camden. I invite all of you to visit online or in person. If anyone considers visiting the city in person, you can email me at seecamden@earthlink.net and I will be of assistance in any way I can.