The perenially opinionated Patrik Schumacher, who gave a speech about his "urban policy manifesto" at the November 17th World Architecture Festival in which he called for an end to all social housing and privatization of public space, has attracted push-back from an unexpected source: the firm he currently runs, which was founded by the late, great Zaha Hadid. In an open letter from the architectural office, Zaha Hadid Architects states that Schumacher's manifesto does not reflect the future direction of the firm, noting that Zaha "deeply believed in the strongest international collaboration" and she "did not write manifestos. She built them." The full text of the letter follows below:
November 29, 2016
Patrik Schumacher’s ‘urban policy manifesto’ does not reflect Zaha Hadid Architects’ past—and will not be our future.
Zaha Hadid did not write manifestos. She built them.
Zaha Hadid Architects has delivered 56 projects for all members of the community in 45 cities around the world.
Refusing to be confined by limitations or boundaries, Zaha did not reserve her ideology for the lecture hall. She lived it.
She deeply believed in the strongest international collaboration and we are very proud to have a hugely talented team of 50 different nationalities in our London office, including those from almost every EU country. 43% of architects at ZHA are of an ethnic minority and 40% of our architects are women.
Zaha Hadid didn’t just break glass ceilings and pull down barriers; she shattered them—inviting everyone of any race, gender, creed or orientation to join her on the journey.
Embedding a collective research culture into every aspect of our work, Zaha has built a team of many diverse talents and disciplines—and we will continue to innovate towards an architecture of inclusivity.
Architects around the world are calling for the profession to become more inclusive. The national and international press have also done a very good job highlighting the critical issues of housing and the threats to vital public spaces.
Through determination and sheer hard work, Zaha showed us all that architecture can be diverse and democratic. She inspired a whole new generation around the world to engage with their environment, to never stop questioning and never—ever—stop imagining.
Collaborating with clients, communities and specialists around the world who share this vision, everyone at Zaha Hadid Architects is dedicated to honouring Zaha’s legacy, working with passion and commitment to design and deliver the most transformational projects for all.
Zaha Hadid Architects
For more of Patrik Schumacher's thoughts:
16 Comments
So, he wrote a manifesto and his employees wrote a rebuttal to the manifesto. Sounds like his act was a creative one (whether you agree or not with what he wrote) and theirs was a political one to save face with their thin-skinned peers. Funny how they kept quiet when ZAHA built stuff with slave labor. All the fake outrage and ill proportioned reactions to words and ideas over actions and their real life consequences...
Not that he didn't also take part in that stuff....just funny how this is what made them upset...their safe space has been invaded I guess...
I think Patrik is the author.
Patrik? go pack yer tools, git a box
Patrik, meet Bus. Bus, meet Patrik.
Its all a big fat joke. Move on kids, nothing to see here.
quondam...
We already went through this. Its not about looking for politics in the bricks of the architecture. As I said, there is nothing inherently anti-gay about Chick-fil-A sandwiches, or anti-abortion about the supplies sold at Hobby Lobby. Its about the human beings who run the company and profit off of it. Human beings and the companies they run do have politics. I am glad that ZHA recognized this reality and decided to distance itself from Schumacher's words. It was the smart thing to do.
Perhaps someone more adept at examining the political aspects of architecture can detect a hint of Schumacher's ideology in the designs, but I am not that person.
Great statement. Good for them.
I'm glad this happened in this moment. It underlines the fact that the academic community needs to begin to discourage what has affectionately come to be known as "bullshit"- flimsy arguments meant to attract attention with wild unsound claims and little basis in true scientific and methodical research. Going to architecture school does not give you equal qualifications in Interior Design, Landscaping, Urban Planning or Public Policy (despite what many in the community would lead us to believe). The idea that architects can weave casually between fields represents an attitude of wealthy-white-male-elitism that still haunts our profession since its days as a gentleman's hobby. Architects that want to venture into these fields should enter with utmost humility, respect, thoroughness, and accountability for their assertions.
Additionally, the idea that someone famous for architecture would have the audacity to speak at a lecture about anything but architecture is telling of the state of star-chitecture and architecture that we find ourselves in today. Architects are encourage to think outside of architecture, meanwhile our own profession is outdated and disorganized. Why not talk about your clear expertise - the conception and construction of innovative buildings??? I hope this is a wake-up call for our community.
Patrick Schumacher is thinking in a fantasy world where people all collectively behave rationaly because of the market. If the market were truly rational we would not have retirement but senior death camps and culling. Thankfully more humane people are in charge and they keep the market in line with regulations. Codes and zoning may be flawed but with out them things could become truly horrific. Zoning and codes were a humane intervention to what the market was doing to our built environment.
I do think he has a right to speak his mind and we can find room intellectually for him but politically he has to be reconciled with what we as a society want our humanity to represent.
Intellectual freedom will often conflict with our ideas of community and decency.
Over and OUT
Peter N
Patrick reminds me of our president elect - they're both con artists.
dang.. he'll be gone soon :D
I got into a Twitter argument with Patrik once. Backed his argument into a corner, then he went with the whole "Well the US sucks" comeback talking about guns and whatnot. Fun times.
To say that Patrik and I violently disagree on this would be an understatement.
'shouts of: “Come out Patrik, come out from under that table” were heard.'
https://archpaper.com/2016/11/patrik-schumacher-protests-zaha-hadid-office-london/
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