[Rem Koolhaas] addressed a packed auditorium at the American University of Sharjah on Tuesday..."Dubai has escaped from its architectural caricatures,” Mr Koolhaas said... [He] had a positive outlook on the region despite recent upheaval and said that it provided the opportunity for the dawn of something new. He also praised the involvement of the country’s rulers and the freedom they have given to designers to transform the landscape of the region. — thenational.ae
18 Comments
I agree that architects bash themselves too much and I have done my share, so I am at a loss here.
I am sorry, but all I can say is, you have got to be shitting me Mr. Koolhaas.
Nerd, that's a nice comment.
Thanks, Donna. I read your other comment on another thread and on reflection, I will try to make positive constructive comments.
What the f! This ascertains that Rem is nothing but a commercial architect, like the likes of Gensler, HOK etc. What a bullshitter!
Now i need to figure out how to burn my signed copy of S,M,L,XL
power corrupts even rem
Brown nose.
"Nonetheless, it wouldn't be like Koolhaas to say these things if he didn't believe them to be true" --- you sleeping with Rem?
I am going to try and stay positive.
Apparently, Mr. Koolhaas has reached a state of enlightenment that few, if any, achieve whereby he sees beauty where others see ugliness and privation.
Where some see slave labor, he sees opportunity.
Where some see construction deaths, he sees a skyline.
Where some see 4th rate POMO, he sees sophistication in design.
Rem Koolhaas, man of remarkable vision.
i would bet a dollar he lost a bet with zaha
You'd think with that kind of career success you wouldn't have to go around kissing ass and sucking up. Maybe thinks aren't as rosy as they seem at the top?
didn't he have to become a magazine editor or something? there isn't any money in architecture at the top either....
I have noted this before - Rem Koolhaas is really good at observations, the problem is many students and architects confuse his statements for critical thinking.
Koolhaas was just promoted from an asshole to a pussy.
how the fuck is this shit article even worth commenting on?
i hear zaera polo drowns puppies in buckets of improperly footnoted text.
Rem is full of himself. "Dubai has escaped from its architectural caricatures,”
We have received absolution from Rem. This time he's just being more upfront about it like Frank Gehry giving his middle finger. He's always been a caricature of an architect, always looking from above yet never quite engaging.
It's striking that two sentences from Rem Koolhaas can generate such damning commentary from fellow architects.
I'd agree at least in part with Rem's message. The economic crisis thoroughly revealed the trappings of the development models in place in the UAE, and the proverbial professional tree was shaken enough to cast away firms making replica Chrysler Buildings.
Between this and a solid handful of professionals engaging with academic institutions such as the one at which Koolhaas was speaking, a class of architects are emerging with conscientious perspectives on architecture, development, and urbanism in a 21st century city.
What has been done can't be undone, but I agree that there is some course correction taking place in the region. Not to mention, what's the problem with saying something that will encourage some students?
i hear zaera polo drowns puppies in buckets of improperly footnoted text.
what font did he use? i'm sort of thinking i should be pretty mad about the puppies, but i'm not sure. maybe if it was helvetica-neue it would be ok?
Despite what you students think, architecture is first and foremost a business. Why would he piss off future extremely wealthy clients and potential work? Have a private off the record conversation with him and THEN see what he really thinks about the region.
Good move man!
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.