Renowned architect Rem Koolhaas is viewed as one of the most important theoreticians of his trade. In an interview with SPIEGEL, he discusses soulless cities, the failings of Europe's largest urban redevelopment project in Hamburg and the problems with SPIEGEL's brand-new headquarters. — spiegel.de
4 Comments
SPIEGEL: So, are you saying that an authoritarian country is offering architecture new possibilities?
Koolhaas: You'll never get me to sign off on that. I'm not pessimistic when it comes to the prospects for the West, for democratic societies, and the ability to build strong statements here.
I thought the above a note worthy quote given all the hits he has taken for working in China on projects like CCTV. Especially interesting in light of various designers/architects in recent years suggesting that maybe if West was more authoritarian like China we would have better more interesting/cutting edge design projects built....
because in the west autocrats spend money on private luxury, or on humanitarian causes. very few westerners build urban monuments as a public expression of power or ideals anymore. we're either too selfish or far too politically polarized.
Nick Hornby, A Long Way Down:
People go on about places like Starbucks being unpersonal and all that, but what if that's what you want? I'd be lost if JJ and people like that got their way, and there was nothing unpersonal in the world. I like to know that there are big places with no windows where no one gives a shit. You need confidence to go into small places with regular customers - small bookshops and small music shops and small restaurants and cafes. I'm happiest in the Virgin megastore and Borders and Starbucks and Pizza Express, where no one gives a shit, and no one knows who you are. My mum and dad are always going on about how soulless these places are, and I'm like, Der. That's the point.
Donna, there is a certain pleasure about being lost in a crowd, being anonymous. I think Nietzsche said that walking alone is the best way for thinking. And likewise at a generic Starbucks or browsing Virgin's inventory you can have your solitude,, without having to be alone. Yeah that is the point.
eric
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.