We swear, no BIG or Trump on this episode. We discuss the donation of Lautner's breathtaking Sheats-Goldstein house, complete with jungle, nightclub and infinity tennis court, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, to become the museum's first acquired piece of architecture (along with a sizable endowment for maintenance). The U.S. saw a major step forward into the realm of driverless cars, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Google that its computers in autonomous vehicles could legally be counted as drivers, while the internet ogled Nissan's self-parking office chairs.
It's also that time of year again, when the AIA announces the keynote speakers for its National Convention (check out our podcast on last year's convention in Atlanta), and this year's threw us for a loop – first, actor Kevin Spacey was named as Day 1 speaker, and praised for his "disruption" of "appointment television". Neri Oxman will give the Day 2 keynote, a very solid choice if not somewhat experimental for the AIA crowd. Then, a big kahuna – Rem Koolhaas was named Day 3 speaker, with a talk titled "Delirious Philadelphia" (where the Convention will take place this year). We mull over the rationale behind such a smattering of keynotes, and take a look back at prior keynotes.
Lastly, we tackle a brazen piece by architect Duo Dickinson, that claims contemporary architecture has changed from a respectable, pragmatic profession into a lifestyle choice.
Listen to episode 53 of Archinect Sessions, "The Trumpeteers":
Shownotes:
Lautner's Concannon Residence, from Dust to Dust – Orhan's article about the Sheats-Goldstein-adjacent property that was demolished by James Goldstein to make room for his new office and private nightclub
“What Should We Say About David Bowie and Lori Maddox?” – Jezebel's piece on the late-artist's sexual encounter with the teenaged Maddox
Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana, owned and maintained by the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Donna’s employer)
The hive-minded Kiva robots of Amazon’s fulfillment centers:
17 Comments
First off, I have to apologize to everyone for not reading the LACMA/Lautner story before we recorded. I asked a dumb question that Paul had already answered.
Also, I think we forgot to link to Orhan's beautiful piece on the Concannon Residence: From Dust To Dust. The discussion on that article ends up being very interesting, as I (once again) ask a stupid question and get schooled by much more knowledgeable people, including one of the architects of the house. Do read it. I'm sad Concannon was demolished, but - as we say elsewhere in the podcast - these are much more complex issues than will allow a simple answer.
Also, duh, I'm a dope: the Upton Sinclair quote is not from The Jungle, it's from I, Candidate For Governor, And How I Got Licked, which seems to be a good thing to read in this election year.
if you could get this on the AIA's agenda and foresee support then I might join
Licensure Upon Graduation (Pro Degree)
Licensure opportunity for anyone with a college degree who apprenticed for 3 years under a licensed Architect.
How would the AIA feel about that? I would expect the AIA to lobby each state and all organizations and would expect the red tape to be cut through in less than 5 years.
The AIA keynote line up that was discussed makes total sense to me.
1- Kevin Spacey can present a way of being disruptive w/o leaving the framework of your practice (so w/o being too disruptive). He didn't change acting, film, he change "the instruments of service" without upsetting the client (the success of the shows that he has made them happier). Kanye would have been the better pick, but he is dangerous. I cannot imagine him not going off the rails once he look out across the audience.
2- Neri Roxman is the clearly the craft person. I would love to see that presentation.
3- Rem has been asking why architects can't get a better share of the profits for years. Personally, I think Patrick Schumacher would have filled these shoes better given that he is trying to figure out service models connecting architecture real estate as a practice.
But if Patrick and Kanye were there I would also switch their order in the line up, so's the fireworks would really go off.
Thank you Donna.
Marc, well stated, and I thought Kanye not just for what he says, but for his cross disciplinary background.
Chris, you're only making my point; as an outsider you can't demand an organization advocate for your position, and then you'll join, you join and advocate for, and agitate to make them change.
Ken, there are many organizations that include the Architect as a professional. It is the AIA's job to recruit me if they want me to join and pay a memebership fee. If my agenda for making this profession better does not align with the AIA's then why join? If you are suggesting I pay a yearly membership fee to spend my time convinncing an albatross to change course then again I ask how does the AIA feel about making licensure available upon graduation and reasonably accessible to those who did not study architecture. My time is valuable.
I don't think it's just the AIA. The whole need of niche organizations to seek validation from pop culture is constantly bewildering/hilarious. Think there are plenty of architects who can deliver an interesting talk.
Agree about Pitt/Kanye, if you want celebrity, go with someone who is sincerely involved or interested. Or why not just nerd out on specialists and generate buzz though other means?
Also, re: the Bowie article... Things are more complex, but I kind of appreciate when people stand up for what they believe. Even if I disagree with the idea that kids these day blah blah (actually there are a lot more craft oriented schools, but they don't get any media love anymore), at the end of the day you either believe Bowie did right or wrong (they probably both were wrong, free will and all, though a bit chicken to bring it up after he dies?). The world is a zero sum game... Either you go with this design idea or this other one.
i oppose the idea of licensure on graduation. while i believe there is a lot of room for improvement, there is no replacement for real-world experience. if chris does join to aia to further his agenda, then i have to join to counteract that agenda? that's hundreds of dollars just for us to have offsetting votes. pretty expensive for my shitty salary.
Come on. I need you fuckers to join. I need you to join so we can move the debate, and right now, we have a bunch F's deciding that the "disruptors" are Kevin Spacey, when the real disruptors are you and me.
There is a middle ground that hits both of your ideas, and I believe it's happening; let them test after graduation and then they complete IDP.
LiMX how do you come to the conclusion that the world is a zero sum game? It totally isn't. If we choose Design idea A the client reaps the benefits of it AND the downfalls of it, if we choose Design Idea B a different set of benefits and downfalls occurs. It's not even really possible to compare them all, but every single decision has both good and bad in it. Nothing is ever all good, therefore all right.
To use a ProPractice comparison to the Bowie situation: Say I'm a firm owner with ten employees. I'm offered a project to design an office tower that will necessitate the demolition of a beloved historic building. If I turn down the project, I have to fire all of my employees the week before Christmas. If I take the project, the community that loves the building loses it. How is this a zero sum?
If you can't get Daniel Burnham, get Lester Burnham.
Well you still have to make that decision. Bowie makes a decision, the AIA makes a decision, etc. we judge wether it's right or wrong. But you cant both keep the historic building and also get a new one. That's why a replacement must be better in someway to justify any demolition.
As for joining the AIA, I think it would be very hard to change that large of an organization without serious money and power (or celebrity), the kind that a young architect will probably never have. Spacey I think communicates that.
LiMX, call it self-fulfilling prophecy; don't join and you can't change a damn thing. Join, maybe so...
curtkram, my requirements would necessitate an entire revamp to the educational system and more lobbying that no University would be happy with. I'd probably ask Duo Dickenson to sit on the Accreditation board for Pro Degrees...
so curt, lets pay to debate, or do it for free here?
Ken, I did inherit the disruptive gene, in general pretty good at finding the dishonest inefficient part of any organization, and now that I've said that I really should go join so a bunch of passive aggressive types will try and thwart me every step of the way.
carry on....maybe I get some builders and developers to support my cause?
Chris, we're both from Jersey, and as they sing in Hamilton; everything is legal in NJ.
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