2024-12-21T13:56:06-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150363902/i-would-prefer-not-to-looks-at-refused-commissions-the-decisions-behind-them-and-their-impact-on-architecture Josh Niland 2023-08-30T17:38:00-04:00 >2024-10-25T04:07:38-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/e1/e1bc7b2da1ccf713503bc460244b42d4.png?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>The second season of <a href="https://archinect.com/firms/cover/53068420/the-architectural-league-of-new-york" target="_blank">The Architectural League of New York</a>&rsquo;s new interview series <em>I Would Prefer Not To</em> is gaining popularity thanks to its ability to shed light on an overlooked area of architectural practice.&nbsp;</p> <p>A cross-collaboration between the League and <a href="https://archinect.com/mitarchitecture" target="_blank">MIT</a>'s Critical Broadcasting Lab, the series explores the topic of commissioning and the refusal of architects to work with a particular client.</p> <p>Guests, including <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/220413/tod-williams-billie-tsien-architects" target="_blank">Tod Williams and Billie Tsien</a>, speak in detail about the nature of refusals, which The Architectural League argues constitutes a permanent part of architectural history. The stories they share touch on key aspects such as ethics and professional practice, decision-making, business development, the tug-of-war over visions for a project, clashes of creativity, and more.&nbsp;</p> <p>&ldquo;Decisions to refuse a commission, or withdraw from one, by definition, stay hidden from public scrutiny, and thus also hidden from architectural history,&rdquo; The Architectural League notes. &ldquo;Withdrawals of thi...</p>