It's an interesting opinion. I've always wondered why when people win they don't say the entire office won. Ex: Norman Foster, not "foster & partners" and Rem, not "OMA"
A lot of the best designs come from the people lower in the company, a lot of times the 'name' on the front door isn't really involved in the day-to-day workings of the projects.
it's a hard thing to judge - as witold himself acknowledges, someone has to be the ringleader in any operation, much less one playing at the level of nouvel, rem, etc. this doesn't mean that a cult of personality is in anyway needed, but let's face it, there's a huge difference in beyer blinder belle and jean nouvel (for one example). bbb probably has more of the 'we're all one' mentality, but nouvel (and holl, and zumthor, and...) bring a kind of early discipline and artistic vision that establishes the directions of their company. as they grow and their opportunities expand, of course the kinds of team relationships he describes are going to expand as well. but maintaining an artistic vision relies on the founder.
this is a portfolio award, not just a singular building award (like the stirling prize). i'm perfectly fine to have it recognize the firm head. i am very disappointed, though, that they can't seem to rectify their mistake with denise scott brown, especially since they recognized herzog and demeuron as a collaborative.
Oh for chrissake Witold is whining again...does every Nobel Prize winner acknowledgte a team of researchers? Does the Pulitzer go to the fact chekers too? Do the Oscars go to the lead actor AND his/her makeup/wardrobe/lighting/director?
There is hardly a professional pursuit in the world today that isn't the result of teamwork. But there is typically one person, or sometimes a couple/few,that are the visionary leaders that everyone else is willing to support. Yes there are - or should be - prizes that recognize the huge impact of design teams everywhere, but sometimes one person deserves to be feted for their singular abilities in getting a body of work and group of people to follow their lead.
Just because Witold won't ever win one doesn't mean other people shouldn't strive to.
enough of the cult of personality and the starchitect system.
cult of personality will never die, think of a world without rock stars, Hollywood actors, religious leaders, politicians, sport stars or that biologist X that has published a discoverment in 'Nature'...
if it's everywhere, why architecture should be different? it's in our genes.. since mesopotamia at least
at the end of the day when do you go to a talk by all of the workers of OMA...
Has anyone thought that maybe when Rem says its a 'team effort' he is really just acting like any good corporate boss, trying to keep his overworked employees happy?
even though I thought it was strange that Thom Mayne (and not Morphosis) the prize's objective is to honor an architect (not an office, a practice, or their clients)
we all know architecture is a team effort, but if you work for gehry, nouvel, or any other starchitect, you should be aware you will not share much of the limelight, right?!
also, imho, I do NOT think the cult of personality, or the old romantic notion of the black cape architect are exclusively a bad thing for our profession...it's all about balance...
Apr 3, 08 10:15 am ·
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Good points. I repect the Pritzker winners immensely, but it takes alot more than a lone genius to make a building happen.
yes, i agree. the old romantic notion of the black cape architect working alone in his studio by lamplight has been over for a while.
It's an interesting opinion. I've always wondered why when people win they don't say the entire office won. Ex: Norman Foster, not "foster & partners" and Rem, not "OMA"
A lot of the best designs come from the people lower in the company, a lot of times the 'name' on the front door isn't really involved in the day-to-day workings of the projects.
I think it might be a generational thing - who are the judges for the pritzker prize?
cos denise scott brown didn't deserve one...
Frank Gehry is on the jury.
Mind you, we won't be hearing this for a while-
"Best toilet detail award goes to...Intern #H282"
it's a hard thing to judge - as witold himself acknowledges, someone has to be the ringleader in any operation, much less one playing at the level of nouvel, rem, etc. this doesn't mean that a cult of personality is in anyway needed, but let's face it, there's a huge difference in beyer blinder belle and jean nouvel (for one example). bbb probably has more of the 'we're all one' mentality, but nouvel (and holl, and zumthor, and...) bring a kind of early discipline and artistic vision that establishes the directions of their company. as they grow and their opportunities expand, of course the kinds of team relationships he describes are going to expand as well. but maintaining an artistic vision relies on the founder.
this is a portfolio award, not just a singular building award (like the stirling prize). i'm perfectly fine to have it recognize the firm head. i am very disappointed, though, that they can't seem to rectify their mistake with denise scott brown, especially since they recognized herzog and demeuron as a collaborative.
<rant>
Oh for chrissake Witold is whining again...does every Nobel Prize winner acknowledgte a team of researchers? Does the Pulitzer go to the fact chekers too? Do the Oscars go to the lead actor AND his/her makeup/wardrobe/lighting/director?
There is hardly a professional pursuit in the world today that isn't the result of teamwork. But there is typically one person, or sometimes a couple/few,that are the visionary leaders that everyone else is willing to support. Yes there are - or should be - prizes that recognize the huge impact of design teams everywhere, but sometimes one person deserves to be feted for their singular abilities in getting a body of work and group of people to follow their lead.
Just because Witold won't ever win one doesn't mean other people shouldn't strive to.
<end rant>
for once I agree with witold... enough of the cult of personality and the starchitect system.
Well...
I am in awe and respect of LB's position. However, the cult of the one designer is in need of replacement. This is already happening lastly.
As Laru pointed out it is about a portfolio which does represent in some sense a singular voice.
Uh, Witold, its because its their firm. They own or run the company. Get it?
bothands is right...
"that's my name on the door!!"
cult of personality will never die, think of a world without rock stars, Hollywood actors, religious leaders, politicians, sport stars or that biologist X that has published a discoverment in 'Nature'...
if it's everywhere, why architecture should be different? it's in our genes.. since mesopotamia at least
at the end of the day when do you go to a talk by all of the workers of OMA...
Has anyone thought that maybe when Rem says its a 'team effort' he is really just acting like any good corporate boss, trying to keep his overworked employees happy?
even though I thought it was strange that Thom Mayne (and not Morphosis) the prize's objective is to honor an architect (not an office, a practice, or their clients)
we all know architecture is a team effort, but if you work for gehry, nouvel, or any other starchitect, you should be aware you will not share much of the limelight, right?!
also, imho, I do NOT think the cult of personality, or the old romantic notion of the black cape architect are exclusively a bad thing for our profession...it's all about balance...
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