When you think about diversity and globalization and urbanization, you can’t do it without a theoretical underpinning. You just can’t. And I think that what we’re seeing in the discipline at large is the limit conditions of thinking a-theoretically about urbanism, about inequality, about what we should do about environmental challenges and sustainability. We’ve got to address it through a theoretical lens. - Milton Curry — The Los Angeles Times
In this interview conducted by Christopher Hawthorne as part of his pithy Building Type column, the soon-to-be-Dean of USC's School of Architecture Milton Curry talks about reintroducing a theoretical emphasis to the school's programs. Curry, who in his time at University of Michigan experienced Detroit's imploding urbanity first-hand, also wants to build greater connections between underserved students in Los Angeles and the university. "Los Angeles metro region is huge in its economic footprint, its land footprint," Curry explains. "I believe cities to some degree have more influence than merely being one of a combination of cities within one nation. They execute trade deals on their own, in some cases. They execute climate policies, other kinds of policing policies on their own. I think that some of those lessons will apply to Los Angeles."
4 Comments
Best theory ever: "Build, don't talk."
^ General contractor ?
No, person who found the benefits of theory taught in architecture school to be mostly theoretical.
I was kidding, and couldn't help myself.
And considering the near-weightlessness of the previous dean, I'm all for someone with pragmatic heft to their approach.
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.