As Kushner sees it, the advent of social media changed architecture in the same way it has changed other industries. It’s a real time barometer for how the public feels about any given project. He sees this as a good thing. The beauty and frustration of architecture is that it’s unavoidable; we’re all stakeholders, even if we don’t want to be.
In the past, the voices of only a select group of these stakeholders would be heard. Today, anyone with an internet connection can be a casual critic.
— wired.com
9 Comments
Easy to talk about "select group of stakeholders" when you come from a family that is one of the largest developers on the East Coast... http://www.kushnercompanies.com
This is a good followup to the Koolhaas/Digital Architecture discussion.
knoa, what is your point exactly? What value are you adding to a discussion of how architecture is becoming more relatable and accessible to more and more people via social media by noting that the author of the book under discussion comes from a developer background? I sense jealousy.
The TED talk linked in the article is one of the best TED talks about architecture, IMO. I encourage all to watch it.
I like Kushner, and the pro-architecture rah-rah mentality, but his points are very muddled as he tries to connect the dots. What is the connection between "the public" and digital media's dangerous push for "meme-tecture." The book's listicle format and meme-pushing content doesn't seem to advocate for a real understanding of architecture. Using "selfies" as some kind of egalitarian architecture movement justifiying arbitrary formmaking, or worse using the "it's about people" as a diversion away from any serious discussion about architecture. What people? Tourists? Is architecture judged by its "likes" or by a deep lifetime of use?
I guess Le Corbusier was wrong about making buildings and public housing artful, so screw that! Let's make 3D printed silk domes instead! I think it tweets well! OK then. Unless you actually have an understanding of architecture, these sentiments end up justifying the nth iteration of bourgious amusement. Bauhaus wins again because it was actually about the craft.
I do find it a bit pretentious to have someone who does not have to go through the usual hassles we all have as Architects of finding clients and any projects (much less interesting, well funded projects) tell the rest of us rabble what is good architecture. How we should judge Architecture. What will get us more "likes".
I agree light person, have we been reduced to trying to compete with the Kardashians and NJ Developers for "clicks" as Architects. Really sad state of affairs...
Just strikes me as a missed opportunity to smartly connect the two. Reads like Gizmodo crap content... Seeing this book suddenly pop up around the blogosphere makes it look like orchestrated marketing aimed less at real change more at selling books to the establishment.
The irony, but expected from an architect, he published a book.
I applaud the savvy marketing. Architecture is boring! Perhaps the monograph is out of date... Instead of making a name for yourself from built work you can just find cool stuff on the Internet. It's strange that's what is considered avant grade in 2015. If only the power of new media could be used for good....
I think you will get more arch enlightenment by watching Furious 7. I mean that sincerely. Two words: Abu Dhabi.
Goodwin's Law notwithstanding, of course.
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