Today’s News - Tuesday, December 18, 2018

●  Moore pays tribute to the "strong, distinctive and argumentative minds" we lost in 2018: "If these individuals had never lived, the built environment would be considerably less rambunctious, refined, historical, forward-looking, witty, public-spirited, entertaining and inspiring."

●  22 architects and designers weigh in on how 2018 will affect the future of the industry: "Their varied and thought-provoking responses highlight some of the most relevant and exciting ideas that are shaping the world in which we live, work, and design."

●  Birnbaum reviews "the highs and lows of landscape architecture" in 2018, and "predicts that the discipline will continue to blur with other urban fields in 2019. This is a new era for philanthropy in which landscape architecture has a starring role."

●  King x 2: He parses the "architecture of parking garages, from ghastly to glorious. With the right budget and approach, infrastructure can even be fun" (except one: "Perhaps something went wrong in the lab?").

●  He spotlights Berkeley's Center Street Garage - a "parking garage that even car-haters can love - for sheer energetic punch, the newcomer is a welcome addition to the scene. To see why, visit other recent parking garages - and try not to wince."

●  Kaufman reports that Google is planning a $1 billion expansion in NYC - "no subsidies asked," and is drawing favorable comparisons to Amazon HQ2 - "many think Google is a 'good neighbor.'"

●  Schmidt Hammer Lassen's first U.S. project is in (drum-roll, please) downtown Detroit that will incorporate the façade of an Albert Kahn-designed theater (Maurice Cox said "this could be the Rockefeller Center of Detroit").

●  Ravenscroft reports that plans for the Grace on Coronation development, a trio of Brisbane skyscrapers by Zaha Hadid Architects, have been dropped, following "the developer withdrawing its plans to build another two ZHA-designed skyscrapers 50 miles south."

●  Dineen reports that the San Francisco developer who tore down Neutra's Largent House is ordered to "rebuild it exactly as it was" (all that remains is a garage door and frame - such a sad image).

●  Betsky, on a brighter note, cheers the 5 finalists in the 2019 MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program: "What they are all good at - and several of them are very good at, indeed - is the alchemy of the everyday, the magic of the simple object - and the beauty of the urban oasis" (his take on what the YAP jury deliberations might have been like is hilarious).

●  Hui's Q&A with Hong Kong-based Vicky Chan (of Avoid Obvious Architects), who makes the case for architecture classes in schools, and talks about his organization Architecture for Children - he has taught to thousands of kids over the past 15 years.

●  ICYMI: Weinstein at his eloquent best with his pick of the 10 Best Architecture and Design Books of 2018, which he describes as "invaluable and impeccably designed"; "quirkily inclusive"; "charmingly loopy"; "enthralling"; "produced with panache" (and then some!).

A Fuksas fracas (did they learn nothing from the Venturi Scott Brown Pritzker debacle?):

●  Sitz reports that Voices of Women Architects and Rebel Architette have launched a petition asking the Istituto Nazionale di Architettura (IN/ARCH) to recognize Doriana Fuksas along with Massimiliano in the lifetime achievement award he recently received (see comment at bottom re: his "first wife and architectural partner Anna Maria Sacconi" - another sticky wicket added to the brew).

●  Perani, Braverman & James, the campaigners behind petition for Doriana Fuksas' recognition, write that her "omission from a local award has global impact for women in architecture. We say it is time for equality #timefor50, are you ready to join us?"

●  Fulcher reports that Fuksas is furious that his "equal partner" Doriana was omitted from the award - IN/ARCH president says the award "recognized Massimiliano's career, which started 15 years before he started working with Doriana."

●  On a brighter note, Studio Fuksas has won the competition to design the Gelendzhik Airport for the resort city on Black Sea coast in Russia.

A day for manifestos:

●  Arieff ponders "where are all the female architects? Why are so few sticking with the industry after graduation? There is no single - or simple - explanation for this. Nor is there an easy fix" (but there is some "tentative good news").

●  P+W's Weatherspoon explains why "architects and designers need to build a bridge between practice and community - the profession is still not reflective of the stories and abilities of designers of color within the POC [people of color] community."

●  Civic Projects' Chadha calls on architects and designers "to reflect on their role in the big picture," and encourages "emerging designers seeking to make a difference to look beyond the borders of traditional practice and to roles in government, teaching, and public service."

●  Agbo parses "the role of designers in a democracy - the design community as an entity should become politically agnostic, but more socially-conscious - whether in democracies, monarchies or communist states."

●  5468796 Architecture "calls on architects to focus strategic attention on multi-family housing design - the one area of architecture that has the most impact on the lives of 'ordinary people.' As members of a profession founded on creative thought, innovation and concern for the greater good, we have to do better."

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To subscribe to the free daily newsletter click here Rowan Moore: The architects and design pioneers we lost in 2018: Will Alsop, Robert Venturi, MJ Long and more – in 2018 we lost some hugely influential architects, designers and thinkers who transformed the places in which we live, work and play: ...strong, distinctive and argumentative minds...If these individuals had never lived, the built environment would be considerably less rambunctious, refined, historical, forward-looking, witty, public-spirited, entertaining and inspiring. -- Florian Beigel/Architecture Research Unit/ARU; Denise Scott Brown; Colin St John Wilson; Alan Davidson/Hayes Davidson; Signy Svalastoga; Peter Davey; Colin Amery; Paul Virilio; David Watkin- Observer (UK) Where Do We Go From Here? Architecture & Design Leaders Weigh In On How 2018 Will Effect The Future Of Our Industry: ...we asked 22 architects and designers what they consider the most important building, interior, product, event, or concept of 2018 that will have ramifications for the future. Their varied and thought-provoking responses highlight some of the most relevant and exciting ideas that are shaping the world in which we live, work, and design...Elizabeth Lowrey/Elkus Manfredi Architects: "It’s time for designers to help heal the American soul." Verda Alexander/Studio O+A: "Architecture and design needs to become more inclusive."- Contract magazine Charles A. Birnbaum: Landscape architecture in 2018 provided a bold vision for our shared built environment: He looks back at the highs and lows of landscape architecture...predicts that the discipline will continue to blur with other urban fields in 2019: A bevy of projects...demonstrated the profession's ability to be both definitive and transformative in addressing social, environmental, and economic issues...This is a new era for philanthropy in which landscape architecture has a starring role. -- Dan Kiley; Raymond Jungles; Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; M Paul Friedberg; Moore Ruble Yudell; Campbell & Campbell; Sasaki, Dawson, DeMay Associates; Masao Kinoshita; PWP Landscape Architecture; Thomas Phifer and Partners; OvS Landscape Architecture; Lawrence Halprin; James Corner Field Operations; SWA/Balsley; Weiss/Manfredi); LANDInc; Richard Haag; Shlomo Aronson; Susan Child [images]- Dezeen John King: The architecture of parking garages, from ghastly to glorious: Not all big garages are alike, thank goodness...With the right budget and approach, infrastructure can even be fun...Here are a dozen other examples from near and far - and from clumsy to compelling, with concrete always in the mix. -- Herzog & Meuron; IwamotoScott; WRNS Studio; Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects/IPD; Dreyfuss + Blackford; Parkitects/Wayne Banks & Assocs.; George A. Applegarth (1954); Fentress Architects [images]- San Francisco Chronicle John King: A Berkeley parking garage that even car-haters can love: Unexpected in more ways than one, Berkeley’s Center Street Garage is the rare example of an unloved building type done in a way that’s a visual treat. If it nudges a few cities or public agencies to demand higher standards from the next round of parking structures, all the better...for sheer energetic punch, the newcomer is a welcome addition to the scene...The payoff is worth the expense. To see why, visit other recent parking garages - and try not to wince. -- IPD; Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects; Dreyfuss + Blackford- San Francisco Chronicle Rachel Kaufman: Google Is Doubling the Size of Its NYC Presence, No Subsidies Asked: ...$1 billion expansion that will result in Google taking 1.7 million square feet in Hudson Square...planning to add another 7,000 employees...drawing favorable comparisons to the recent Amazon HQ2 announcement...many think Google is a “good neighbor.”- Next City (formerly Next American City) Monroe Blocks development breaks ground in downtown Detroit: Dan Gilbert’s latest development will add density to two mostly-vacant city blocks: ...will bring an office tower, residential, and green space...Nearly two acres of land will be converted into public space...One of the contentious pieces...has been the fate of the National Theatre. It’s the only theater designed by Albert Kahn...plans on keeping the facade...using it to span a pedestrian walkway...Maurice Cox...said this could be the Rockefeller Center of Detroit. -- Schmidt Hammer Lassen; Neumann/Smith Architecture; SLA [images]- Curbed Detroit Tom Ravenscroft: Plans for trio of Brisbane skyscrapers by Zaha Hadid Architects dropped: Sunland Group has said it will not fight a court decision to block the Grace on Coronation development, ending a long running battle to build the trio of tapered riverside skyscrapers, which were initially announced in 2014..."We are now directing every effort to conceive a new architectural outcome that celebrates the unique riverfront site...follows the developer withdrawing its plans to build another two ZHAs-designed skyscrapers 50 miles south...Earlier this year ZHA's first project in Brazil was also scrapped... [images]- Dezeen J.K. Dineen: SF to developer who tore down landmark house: Rebuild it exactly as it was: A property owner who illegally demolished a 1936 Twin Peaks house designed by a renowned modernist must rebuild an exact replica of the home rather than the much larger structure...also ordered that the property owner...include a sidewalk plaque telling the story of the original house designed by Richard Neutra, the demolition and the replica...known as the Largent House...All that remained...was a garage door and frame. [images]- San Francisco Chronicle Aaron Betsky: Better Safe than Sexy: this year, the MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program chooses alchemy over science fiction: ...we have wound up with five teams that are heavy on craft and light on ambition, at least in terms of scale or innovative form. What [they] are all good at - and several of them are very good at, indeed - is the alchemy of the everyday, the magic of the simple object, touch-inviting forms and materials, and the beauty of the urban oasis. Whoever wins will, I predict, provide a serene and peaceful respite from the transformation of PS1’s Queens neighborhood...will also provide a break from the relentless drive for innovation, newness, and - dare I say it - Modernism that has propelled MoMA’s program for emerging practitioners thus far. -- Ana Paula Ruiz Galindo/Mecky Reuss/Pedro & Juana; Carlos Facio/Jose G. Amozurrutia/TO; Oana Stanescu/Akane Moriyama; Ryan Bollom/DK Osseo-Asare/Low Design Office; Matter Design- Architect Magazine Mary Hui: The Case for Architecture Classes in Schools: Through the organization Architecture for Children, Hong Kong architect Vicky Chan has taught urban design and planning to thousands of kids over the past 15 years. Here’s why: "Even if these students don’t end up going into the design field, these thinking skills are very important...if we can teach them from an early age that there are better ways to build and construct, then perhaps flawed proposals will less easily find widespread support...if we can teach kids this from an early age, and they can as adults present ideas simply, we won’t have as many misunderstandings or misguided suggestions." -- Avoid Obvious Architects- CityLab (formerly The Atlantic Cities) Miriam Sitz: Activists Call for Equal Recognition of Architect Doriana Fuksas: Voices of Women Architects and Rebel Architette launched a petition asking the Rome-based Istituto Nazionale di Architettura (IN/ARCH) to recognize Doriana Fuksas along with her husband and partner Massimiliano Fuksas in the lifetime achievement award he received in late November...[They] have worked in partnership since 1985- Architectural Record Francesca Perani, Louise Braverman & Caroline James: Women are systematically omitted from architecture: Doriana Fuksas' omission from a local award has global impact for women in architecture, write campaigners behind petition for her recognition: ...request [her] inclusion...as an equal recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award given to Massimiliano Fuksas by INARCH Istituto Nazionale di Architettura...We say it is time for equality #timefor50, are you ready to join us? -- VOW Architects; Voices of Women Architects; Caroline Bos; Yasmin Shariff; Benedetta Tagliabue; Rebel Architette; INARCH Award- Domus Merlin Fulcher: Fuksas blasts Italian institute’s lifetime award for omitting ‘equal partner’ Doriana: ...has called on the president of the Istituto Nazionale di Architettura’s Lazio regional branch Amedeo Schiattarella to award ‘equal recognition for equal work'...Schiattarella acknowledged Massimiliano and Doriana as representing the ‘same identity, one signature’ but said the award...recognised Massimiliano’s career which started 15 years before he started working with Doriana.- The Architects' Journal (UK) Studio Fuksas Wins Competition for Gelendzhik Airport in Russia: ...considered the third most popular resort city on the Black Sea coast...Passive and active design strategies combine as integral parts of the architectural design to illustrate the approach towards sustainability. Studio Fuksas ...created the project around environmental awareness to also minimize the need for mechanical systems. [images]- ArchDaily Allison Arieff: Where Are All the Female Architects? Nearly half of architecture students are women. Why are so few sticking with the industry after graduation? There is no single - or simple - explanation for this. Nor is there an easy fix. The challenge...is to “change a culture that will only be changed through representation, when 50% of the people in the room are women.” The - tentative - good news is that it’s happening...[survey finding] that female architects felt recognized for working hard rather than for the work itself. -- Ila Berman/University of Virginia School of Architecture; AIA Equity by Design; Caroline James/Design for Equality; Deborah Berke/Yale; Amale Andraos/Columbia/WORKac; Liz Ogbu; Jeanne Gang/Studio Gang- New York Times Julia Weatherspoon: Re-Evaluating "Community": Architects and designers need to build a bridge between practice and community: Although there is this big push for diversity and inclusion in architecture, the profession is still...not reflective of the stories and abilities of designers of color within the POC [people of color] community...When I go home - or volunteer with local community centers and schools - the spaces don’t look like the ones we design professionally. Architecture is still very much an exclusive profession, and I want to work toward breaking down that barrier...We have to take a step back and think about not only what the client desires, but also advocate for what communities need, and how we can include them in the decision-making process. -- Perkins+Will- Architect Magazine Monica Chadha: A Call to Pause, Listen, and Learn: As the year wind downs, the founder and principal of Civic Projects, in Chicago, asks architects and designers to reflect on their role in the big picture: Over and over, opportunities arise to interact, understand, and create solutions together. Our challenge - our duty - is to take them on with open minds. The answer doesn’t always have to be making architecture...I encourage emerging designers seeking to make a difference to look beyond the borders of traditional practice and to roles in government, teaching, and public service. -- Henry Sanoff; Samuel Mockbee/Rural Studio; Stanley Tigerman; Eva Maddox; Archeworks; Design Futures Council; Structures for Inclusion; Liz Ogbu- Architect Magazine Mathias Agbo, Jr.: The Role of Designers in a Democracy: There’s been a recent call for designers around the world to take more than a cursory interest in democratic discourses and political happenings...rather than join the populist bandwagon of sloganchanting pro-democracy activists, the design community as an entity should become politically agnostic, but more socially-conscious - focusing solely on the social welfare of the people in every community it serves - whether in democracies, monarchies or communist states.- New Design Ideas / Jomard Publishing Add via Edit: A Decade of Housing: Winnipeg firm 5468796 Architecture calls on architects to focus strategic attention on multi-family housing design: The multi-family housing typology is the one area of architecture that has the most impact on the lives of “ordinary people”...as architects we should respond to the challenges of this typology with the rigour that it deserves. Given the dramatic shift towards smaller family units in North America, and the adoption of multi-family housing as an acceptable form of living, the opportunity to do so is now...As members of a profession founded on creative thought, innovation and concern for the greater good, we have to do better.- Canadian Architect ANN feature: Norman Weinstein: Best Architecture and Design Books of 2018: 10 Books to deepen historical awareness and stretch imagination.- ArchNewsNow.com

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