Vishaan Chakrabarti has amicably departed from SHoP Architects, where he was principal from 2012 to 2015, and has now launched a new firm, the Partnership for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU). — Fast Company Design
According to a press release, "PAU will offer two main business services – architecture and strategic planning. The latter will include tactical advice and advocacy, helping clients master plan and obtain entitlements for density and infrastructure at a macro-level, while also helping to define, intensify and enhance the experience of the urban environment. Initial clients include Sidewalk Labs, a new project with Two Trees Management, and a new cultural building in Manhattan."
For more of Archinect's coverage of SHoP Architects and Vishaan Chakrabarti, please see:
• SHoP’s Essex Crossing Mega-Market Will Be One of Largest in the Nation
• Bracket [takes action]: submissions selected and new website launches!
![Bracket [takes action]: submissions selected and new website launches!](https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/05/05kznvyyjy1lqoiq.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=248&h=147 "Bracket [takes action]: submissions selected and new website launches!")
15 Comments
What we don’t do.
Single-Family Suburban Homes
Interior Design
Correctional Facilities
Small-scale Renovations
Work in non-democratic nations
Work in nations with poor labor practices
Construction Documents
You don't need construction documents... Buildings are made of buzzwords, duh
What a pretentious load of shit.
Construction documents are for pragmatists who have to worry about liability, lawyers, and insurance rates.
As easy as it is to criticize him, I sort of admire him for being upfront about the fact that he wants a (capital D) design firm and will not do construction documents. Putting it in that list though makes it pretty clear how he feels about CDs. Frankly though, there are probably a lot of architects should probably stay out of creating construction documents.
Is this a new trend for the profession where there is this big of a distinction between those who come up with the designs, and then those who take the design and finish off the process? Those who dream, and those who make it happen. I know this already happens all over the place, but this is more upfront and that somehow makes it feel different.
Is this the end of the architect as master builder? Should I mark this day in the calendar as a day of mourning or rejoicing?
Agree with his supposition that there has been a disconnect between architecture & urban planning…too much helicoptering of buildings on to sites without any connection to the streetscape and overall plan of cities.
A lot of architects would do well to get out of the CD business, however it’s just more dilution of a profession that is already overly diluted….this part is nothing to celebrate.
seeing as though this was the guy who brought us that Domino project in NYC, not sure that " a (capital D) design firm" is something he is going to pull off.
who?what? can't draw a buildable detail....no one gives a flying fuck. never heard of the guy.
That's a nice stairway...who designed it?
Idk, whenever mega projects try to find a golden formula, we end up with another Villla Radieuse. A diversity of architecture makes good cities....like NYC, London, Tokyo, etc etc. But ok, let's try something else
Good for him. You don't need to waste your time/creative energy and clients money on drawing CD's if that's not your forté. He's better at the big picture apparently:
http://www.academia.edu/3466126/NYC_2040_Housing_the_Next_One_Million_New_Yorkers_Report_Only_Book_Available_on_Columbia_University_Press_
http://grafit.lv/pdf/17194938/by-grafit-lv/a-country-of-cities-a-manifesto-for-an-urban-america.html
https://youtu.be/pX2zng2aMc0
This is great if PAU somehow manages to advocate for "architecture" -- that is, the connection between the small and large scale, human experience, etc... but not if they advocate for a kind of kit of parts solutions that never work. SHoP Is good at connecting both scales, and the quality of the PAU website is a bit worrying as far as attention to detail (!!!)
Good for him. At least they're honest about not wanting to do CDs - thats the least profitable part of the project lifecycle to being with.
Work in nations with poor labor practices?? as in the United States of America? none of your projects GC's will hire illegal central-americans to dig, form concrete, waterproof roof with tar, lay tile, or frame? good for you.....
God is in the media hype.
JLC-1, you know what he means. Quit with the negativity (I know)
I think the separation of CD firms and design firms will become more and more prevalent on bigger projects. Its not especially a good thing, but its tough to keep the large, experienced teams capable of this work when big projects only come in occassionally. No one likes to staff up only for big projects and then lay off when its done.
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