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I try not to discern ‘good design’ from ‘bad design’ so much as places I’d like to visit or not.

I think there is a lot of ‘good design’ that makes for boring places. It’s a much smaller group of people that truly cares for the quality of design of a space than those who care for the more readily accessible qualities such as physical comfort,…[Read more]

Still, it doesn’t discount the fact that perhaps thousands of young and old architects and landscape architects alike will listen to and emulate the mentality exhibited in this video, staged or not.

I’d bet ten to one the folks over at Archinect are ‘discussing’ Martha’s comments and ripping into LA’s.

I feel like I see a lot more Lin graphics in LA than Leggits.

I actually prefer Leggits style over Lins, but agree that both styles are emulated much too closely and frequently in LA. I disagree that hand-drawn graphics are generally recieved better by ‘the people.’ Of course, it’s all relative, but there have been times in my limited experience…[Read more]

“It is my opinion, however unpopular… that an architect has every right to create a building, irregardless of the ground plane. And, and LA has every right to create space that ignores existing buildings. That is part of the creative process… to include or to exclude depending on the design concept.”

“Do architects have a right to ignore the…[Read more]

I think you’re definition of gray water is confused. The UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) definition for single family dwellings define gray water to exclude household waste water that comes in contact with toilet waste and also doesn’t include wastewater from kitchen sinks and dishwashers.

In most areas these other waste are often referred to as…[Read more]

So, if we go back to the video… and listen to what was actually said by Will that generated this whole debate…

“No LAs should EVER get a hold of ANY of these commissions (landscape commissions), because they have completely institutionalized the idea of public space. LAs should learn what lives and what dies… you walk around the city with…[Read more]

After actually watching the video I think Martha had some very pertinent points near the beginning, but perhaps lost a bit of self control, boiling over a bit toward the end- and rightly so. Alsop really stuck his foot in his mouth.

In response to the question regarding ‘why we should care,’ because people (archs and la’s alike) really do listen…[Read more]

I think Martha has somewhat of a reputation building behind her apparent disdain for architects (see DIA competition with Kurt Fentress)…not to say her grievances are unfounded. I think it’s probably healthy for the profession to have a few ‘booming’ voices like Schwartz. More and more it has become evident to me that it isn’t necessarily the…[Read more]

thanks for the insightful replies everyone! living on the Westside of Los Angeles, I see a lot more of the high-end residential stuff, much of which adheres to a cookie-cutter “Los Angeles garden” look – but there is the creative and unique stuff out there too. Every time I go downtown I am amazed by some of the public space work that is going on.…[Read more]

Well that would be interesting. I know the government just realeased money last month to three companies for electronic car production: Ford, Nissan and Tesla. And Chevy has the Volt slated to come up in 2010 or so. That’s a whole new market. But I would assume Best Buy would be selling a much smaller vehicle than those…

I also missed the chat, but I’d like to share one of the more thought provoking opinion pieces that I’ve read about the economy in a while:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/aug/13/us-e…

I’m sure there is a wide range of opinions on the points that the article (and subsequent comments) brings up, but what I took away from…[Read more]

These turf wars are usually more academic in my limited experience. I’ve only met a few architects who seemed to want to do the part of the LA or engineer. One time I remember an architect did the contours on a site.
On the other hand, I think the client will always get a better project when there is more of a team mentality from the start, rather…[Read more]

“As far as I know, the attempt to rebuild in an environmentally friendly way got absolutely nowhere. Same with Galveston…If ever there was a chance to create setbacks from low-ling areas, those are it! What do you know about New Orleans?”

I’m from New Orleans. My family is mostly Cajun French… so yes, I am well aware of NO’s peculiarities.…[Read more]

I agree that this could have a huge positive effect, though I doubt it will make me shop more at Wal-Mart. I really only buy electronics and DVD’s there.
I also read somewhere that Best Buy will start selling small electric vehicles in some of their stores.

Do architects have a right to ignore the ground plane? Did you ever see the plaza around the World Trade Centers in new york? The wind was incredible…I think we learned in the sixties that design in general and urban buildings in particular do have a responsibilitiy to the public…So I disagree..It is like the AIG guys saying they have no…[Read more]

No, Melanie, just as I read about the rebuilding in the NYT or other news sources. As far as I know, the attempt to rebuild in an environmentally friendly way got absolutely nowhere. Same with Galveston…If ever there was a chance to create setbacks from low-ling areas, those are it! What do you know about New Orleans? Of course, New Orleans has…[Read more]

Once read where a landscape architect described a good design is where there appears to be no designer. Not sure if that would apply to urban situations but it seems like a good objective.

I believe that is the view they are looking at. Not only are they improving on their bottom line, but now it is the hip thing to do as well. Why not make more money and come out looking earth friendly? Hopefully this will drive competitors to do the same and branch out accordingly…