Why would a young actor pick someone so old and boring? I'm sure a Zumthor house will come with all sorts of rough material blah blah blah that everyone seems to appreciate but certainly he will not build something within the caliber of Lautner...
It is just absurd to me that there are so many cutting edge young architecture firms here in LA that can do a more "contextual" job. Or at least in the USA. Why call up some crusty old man in Switzerland?
WELL speak for yourself. there is absolutely nothing boring about zuthmor, only poetic. But blinders are no substitute for vision frame
And he is not blah, blah type of a guy. You probably mixed him up with likes of Peter Eisenman.
I am speaking for myself, who else am I speaking for? I also think that there's a bias for buildings that are simple. Just because they're simple does not make them an acquired taste, or poetic for that matter. I just think that, within the cultural context of a young Hollywood celebrity living in LA, he could be bolder with the architect that he picks. Peter Eisenman is a crusty old man as well. Have any of you guys ever seen a Lautner house in LA? Even Neutra?
Lautner was meant to be a frame of reference, I think everyone knows the man died a long time ago. I meant he could hire someone local who is willing to take risks and who actually has something to prove. Like him.
personally, i'm deeply in lurve with Zumthor's work, but i can't really imagine him doing anything in LA. even the LACMA doesn't seem Zumthor-appropriate given the starchitect context of the city. i dunno... I know he does some beautiful work on both custom res and museum programs, but somehow this doesn't feel 'right' to me. unheimlich. maybe tobey's house will be somewhere in the rockies.
GA - I am not sure if you truly believe what you are writing or simply trying to initiate reactions from archinect users. either way, such statements fully demonstrate the naivety of your understanding of architecture. while lautner was indeed a truly gifted architect, zumthor is certainly not boring nor unwilling to take risks. such statements lead me to believe you are fairly young and un-educated in the realm of architecture. However, as you mature, hopefully you'll come to understand the value of zumthor's work lies much deeper than rough materials. As far as taking risks, you should read the book Therme Vals and catch up on the incredible efforts it took to get the building constructed, which involved risk to the point of walking away from the project. Step outside the flashy skins and meaningless forms of mid-90's LA architecture and study work based upon solid and poetic concept that is carried to fruition through perfecting craft. For someone who admires Lautner so much, I am surprised that you can't understand the value of Zumthor's work. But then again, Zumthor makes it clear that his work requires experience in order to be fully understood or appreciated ..... and having sat within the Flower Bath at Vals and experienced art within the Kunsthaus in Bregenz I feel he is speaking the truth.
So just maybe Mr. Maguire is demonstrating a wisdom well beyond his age in his selection of Zumthor. I just hope you guys ultimately gain another architectural gem in LA that rivals your beloved Lautner.
I am certainly writing to get responses from archinect users, or else I wouldn't be writing my own opinion in a public forum. It is my interest to stimulate discussion for sure, but it is presumptuous of you to assume that my opinion solely exists within the realm of speculation. It is also presumptuous of you to assume that I am interested in "Shiny LA architecture of the 90's", or someone really inexperienced. It is largely a matter of taste, not maturity to admire Zumthor's work. As an architect who has lived and practiced in LA for many years, it is my personal opinion that he is out of his context. Within the grander scheme of things, my opinion about Spiderman's house really does not matter, neither does yours. On the other hand, I believe that it was the same set of decision making that got Renzo Piano hired for LACMA extension, and I do not know if you had a chance to visit LACMA but I think it is, at best, an average building. I still stand behind my opinion that Zumthor's work has a cultish following, and for someone who produced such a limited body of work, it is my opinion that he is overrated. On the flip side, my criticism was largely a contextual issue, not just site, geography, climate and such, but a cultural context. Zumtor is a very accomplished architect, but I believe that currently it is almost a dogma to criticize architects that practice within his parameters, especially on archinect, considering the fact that people here are even telling me not to write my opinion. What is it about Zumthor's materiality that puts him on a higher ground than many other Swiss (or largely European, and some American) architects that produce works in the same genre? So this leads me to my final point: the architecture culture has been hogged by the same people for the same 20 years, and Zumthor does not exist outside of this star culture. Let me be presumptuous for a second and assume that you dislike the works of Hadid, Gehry and the likes, and tell you that Zumthor also operates in the same cultural context, although you think that his work is more sophisticated than many. The reason why I gave the example of Lautner is not only because his work is based on a keen sensitivity towards materiality, craft and ecological context, but also is simultaneously formally expressive, sculpturally bold, programmatically speculative and surreal. And to me that is so LA.
...keen sensitivity towards materiality, craft and ecological context, but also is simultaneously formally expressive, sculpturally bold, programmatically speculative and surreal
GA, if you don't think *exactly* these tendencies exist in Zumthor's work, then you must be confusing him with someone else.
Seriously.
And Davvid, the Zumthor love may very well be hype, but his work is definitely not, and that's unlikely to change.
I applaud Mr. Maguire for his choice. It seems that he has some interest in architecture, which is rare for much of the nouveau-riche. It would be very easy for him to purchase a mcmansion, or at best, hire the newest starchitect. Zumthor has become a popular architect amongst the profession, but few Americans outside of that circle would recognize his name or work. Sure, it would be great if Mr. Maguire were to hire a young and talented local firm, but his choice could be much worse.
wow what a thread for a relatively inconsequential topic. it's like tiger woods or something. now let me add to it!
i'm with GA. not that i don't think zumthor is a great architect. i think he has a way with materials, light, space which is very amazing. but, honestly, culturally he rather bores me. i like some pop, some vibrance, sometimes some things that don't seem quite right. especially in LA. i don't think one gets that kind of surprise with zumthor.
and i like to imagine that tobey and his architect can have fun palling around, 'cause that should be one of the priorities if one is fortunately enough to be able to hire an architect for a personal project. i have trouble imagining him and zumthor doing that.
but i might be totally wrong about that. maybe tobey maguire *really* has a thing for zumthor's work (seems like it from the blog post), in which case more power to him!
very interesting choice for a young hollywood star. Kudos to Mr. Maguire -- and a huge thanks for succeeding in enticing one of the world's best to these shores! Too bad it won't be a public building, but I'm thrilled nonetheless.
Dec 3, 09 11:40 pm ·
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22 Comments
Why would a young actor pick someone so old and boring? I'm sure a Zumthor house will come with all sorts of rough material blah blah blah that everyone seems to appreciate but certainly he will not build something within the caliber of Lautner...
zumthor, boring? i must e getting old. perhaps brad pitt should design pp's new home?
No I was thinking Lady Gaga...
It is just absurd to me that there are so many cutting edge young architecture firms here in LA that can do a more "contextual" job. Or at least in the USA. Why call up some crusty old man in Switzerland?
because "cutting edge" is bullshit, it's just another word for trendy.
WELL speak for yourself. there is absolutely nothing boring about zuthmor, only poetic. But blinders are no substitute for vision frame
And he is not blah, blah type of a guy. You probably mixed him up with likes of Peter Eisenman.
I am speaking for myself, who else am I speaking for? I also think that there's a bias for buildings that are simple. Just because they're simple does not make them an acquired taste, or poetic for that matter. I just think that, within the cultural context of a young Hollywood celebrity living in LA, he could be bolder with the architect that he picks. Peter Eisenman is a crusty old man as well. Have any of you guys ever seen a Lautner house in LA? Even Neutra?
All respect to Toby - I wonder how he managed to persuade Zumthor to do a house for him...? That is bold. Anyone can get GRAFT to do a house.
Lautner was amaaing, but he's dead, so Maguire can't hire him.
I'm with diabase: Zumthor is a truly bold, unexpected choice. Supercool, I'm excited to see what he does.
Lautner was meant to be a frame of reference, I think everyone knows the man died a long time ago. I meant he could hire someone local who is willing to take risks and who actually has something to prove. Like him.
personally, i'm deeply in lurve with Zumthor's work, but i can't really imagine him doing anything in LA. even the LACMA doesn't seem Zumthor-appropriate given the starchitect context of the city. i dunno... I know he does some beautiful work on both custom res and museum programs, but somehow this doesn't feel 'right' to me. unheimlich. maybe tobey's house will be somewhere in the rockies.
GA- Please never post here again. k thanks.
GA - I am not sure if you truly believe what you are writing or simply trying to initiate reactions from archinect users. either way, such statements fully demonstrate the naivety of your understanding of architecture. while lautner was indeed a truly gifted architect, zumthor is certainly not boring nor unwilling to take risks. such statements lead me to believe you are fairly young and un-educated in the realm of architecture. However, as you mature, hopefully you'll come to understand the value of zumthor's work lies much deeper than rough materials. As far as taking risks, you should read the book Therme Vals and catch up on the incredible efforts it took to get the building constructed, which involved risk to the point of walking away from the project. Step outside the flashy skins and meaningless forms of mid-90's LA architecture and study work based upon solid and poetic concept that is carried to fruition through perfecting craft. For someone who admires Lautner so much, I am surprised that you can't understand the value of Zumthor's work. But then again, Zumthor makes it clear that his work requires experience in order to be fully understood or appreciated ..... and having sat within the Flower Bath at Vals and experienced art within the Kunsthaus in Bregenz I feel he is speaking the truth.
So just maybe Mr. Maguire is demonstrating a wisdom well beyond his age in his selection of Zumthor. I just hope you guys ultimately gain another architectural gem in LA that rivals your beloved Lautner.
I appreciate G.A!'s comments because I now see the Zumthor love reaching the point where it becomes hype.
I look forward to seeing how or if Zumthor's architecture can respond to the tawdry.
riiiight. the kunsthaus bregenz is anything but 'simple'. vals is anything but 'simple'. the swiss pavillion was anything but 'simple'
i get there are architects who need work in LA - but so what? Obviously, mr. maguire admires zumthors work - should he not be allowed to hire him?
also, the notion that he won't address contextual issues is pretty asinine.
To tenn,
I am certainly writing to get responses from archinect users, or else I wouldn't be writing my own opinion in a public forum. It is my interest to stimulate discussion for sure, but it is presumptuous of you to assume that my opinion solely exists within the realm of speculation. It is also presumptuous of you to assume that I am interested in "Shiny LA architecture of the 90's", or someone really inexperienced. It is largely a matter of taste, not maturity to admire Zumthor's work. As an architect who has lived and practiced in LA for many years, it is my personal opinion that he is out of his context. Within the grander scheme of things, my opinion about Spiderman's house really does not matter, neither does yours. On the other hand, I believe that it was the same set of decision making that got Renzo Piano hired for LACMA extension, and I do not know if you had a chance to visit LACMA but I think it is, at best, an average building. I still stand behind my opinion that Zumthor's work has a cultish following, and for someone who produced such a limited body of work, it is my opinion that he is overrated. On the flip side, my criticism was largely a contextual issue, not just site, geography, climate and such, but a cultural context. Zumtor is a very accomplished architect, but I believe that currently it is almost a dogma to criticize architects that practice within his parameters, especially on archinect, considering the fact that people here are even telling me not to write my opinion. What is it about Zumthor's materiality that puts him on a higher ground than many other Swiss (or largely European, and some American) architects that produce works in the same genre? So this leads me to my final point: the architecture culture has been hogged by the same people for the same 20 years, and Zumthor does not exist outside of this star culture. Let me be presumptuous for a second and assume that you dislike the works of Hadid, Gehry and the likes, and tell you that Zumthor also operates in the same cultural context, although you think that his work is more sophisticated than many. The reason why I gave the example of Lautner is not only because his work is based on a keen sensitivity towards materiality, craft and ecological context, but also is simultaneously formally expressive, sculpturally bold, programmatically speculative and surreal. And to me that is so LA.
GA, if you don't think *exactly* these tendencies exist in Zumthor's work, then you must be confusing him with someone else.
Seriously.
And Davvid, the Zumthor love may very well be hype, but his work is definitely not, and that's unlikely to change.
like don't like,
noodle don't noodle,
zumthor don't zumthor.
all, personal things.
zumthor will do a good job if the project goes ahead. his record is not shabby in that regard.
the real news is that toby mcguire apparently knows who zumthor is. lots of celebrities don't go that far. you seen tiger woods' house?
I applaud Mr. Maguire for his choice. It seems that he has some interest in architecture, which is rare for much of the nouveau-riche. It would be very easy for him to purchase a mcmansion, or at best, hire the newest starchitect. Zumthor has become a popular architect amongst the profession, but few Americans outside of that circle would recognize his name or work. Sure, it would be great if Mr. Maguire were to hire a young and talented local firm, but his choice could be much worse.
wow what a thread for a relatively inconsequential topic. it's like tiger woods or something. now let me add to it!
i'm with GA. not that i don't think zumthor is a great architect. i think he has a way with materials, light, space which is very amazing. but, honestly, culturally he rather bores me. i like some pop, some vibrance, sometimes some things that don't seem quite right. especially in LA. i don't think one gets that kind of surprise with zumthor.
and i like to imagine that tobey and his architect can have fun palling around, 'cause that should be one of the priorities if one is fortunately enough to be able to hire an architect for a personal project. i have trouble imagining him and zumthor doing that.
but i might be totally wrong about that. maybe tobey maguire *really* has a thing for zumthor's work (seems like it from the blog post), in which case more power to him!
apparently, tobey maguire's in-law is in the scene. his wife's mother is the co-creator of [url=http://www.project7ten.com/site/gallery.htm]this project in venice, california]
it'd be interesting to see how a zumthor building meshes with local regulations.
very interesting choice for a young hollywood star. Kudos to Mr. Maguire -- and a huge thanks for succeeding in enticing one of the world's best to these shores! Too bad it won't be a public building, but I'm thrilled nonetheless.
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