MoMA: Landmarks of Modern Architecture
Scavenger Hunt on Foursquare
The game grabbed my attention, and took me to:
http://www.moma.org/landmarks
At first, it took me by surprise, the descriptions of selected buildings. While some are interesting, one begins to see some stretch: A building by Junzo Yoshimura ‘utilizes ribbon windows, which Le Corbusier also used in his most iconic buildings’.
My impression was that while Corbusier was fascinated by what he saw upon his visit to US; New York, and USA in general were largely irreverent to Corb. Even in an era where all things European were considered cultured and worth emulating, and many of his disciples found work in US. Of course it was also a time to celebrate geniuses. And buildings in 60s and 70s? That’s pretty late – by that time Le Corbusier was already through the cycle of falling in love and then becoming disillusioned with the Soviets (following his entry for The Palace of Soviets. And he was busy building for Nehru in India, a new city) So I remember thinking: some real fan of Le Corbusier here!
Now I see the reason -
Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes
Through September 23
MoMA presents its first major exhibition on the work of Le Corbusier, encompassing his work as an architect, interior designer, artist, city planner, writer, and photographer.
So:
In celebration of the Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light and Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Architecture exhibitions—and these artists’ lasting influence on global architecture—MoMA invites you on a Foursquare scavenger hunt to find iconic modernist architectural sites in New York City.
Some are famous enough, but others are lesser known, and worth visiting. Grab the opportunity, check in!
If interested in more on previous Scavenger Hunt by MoMA: see
http://blog.ohny.org/modern-architecture-and-design-scavenger-hunt-winners/
Who doesn’t love an architect in need?
Consider this for one of the most famous buildings of all times, at least with architects:
Cost of the Building: 155,000
Architect’s Fees: 8,000
At the time when the guy needed work… old and nearly forgotten, it was okay with the client to pay that money (eventually, about 10,000)
More on the said building
It is interesting to read the account of work as progressed on this project by Jim Atkins* on
http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0814/0814d_fallingwater.cfm
… “Out-of-phase activities such as the drawings being completed after the work was begun were commonplace with the construction of Fallingwater, and these errant events would chronically plague the project throughout construction and cause delays and re-work”
This is a sort of a working text, it will be updated a couple (or may be more) times.
* In FALLINGWATER PART 3 The Story of a Country House—The Design (Third of a six part series)
My earlier post:
Dabbawala scam: Case of life imitating advertising
And the firstpost article that made me write it:
Once upon a time, there was a dabbawalla scam by Anant Rangaswamy
@
http://www.firstpost.com/living/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-dabbawalla-scam-794195.html
More: Too many people are missing the point
Felt like relooking at the subject of my earlier piece in the run up to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on June 16th.
The news is that folks are still posting the link to ‘Share my Dabba’ video like it was the next best thing to sliced bread or the other three wheels. And, what’s more, after some people have questioned the plausibility of such an initiative or the credibility of the claim made by the video, discussions have run into unimaginable directions. Starting from whether the food could be contaminated and could kill the children consuming the left-overs, or what a scam means, biases reflecting in posts about poor people anyway eating out of trash cans… all the way to people criticising a whistle blower for all kinds of reasons like Anant Rangaswamy never having cooked/ not knowing what being hungry is – including very interesting takes on Indians’ habit of being critical.
So it is clear:
Most of these well meaning people have done a remarkable job of missing the point. By a mile.
It is of course obvious to critics that sharing is ‘just’ an idea, and that thinking positive has it’s merits. But the contention is hardly about how a great idea may help people, it is about how the advertorial tells the tale: To twist a commentator’s words, the difference is between saying
‘Someone has invented a cure for stupidity’,
as opposed to saying
‘Someone could invent a cure for stupidity’.
Advertising and Acknowledgement
If anyone would care to dig deeper, they would find that within the advertising circles, much attention is given to how innovative a campaign is. Very often it turns out that the content is valuable to a client because of it’s effect on sales. But to advertising community, the value of any content is mostly in its creativity. The industry is long known for it’s glamour but also for its long hours and relatively low pays. So one’s kick comes not from the profit of one’s company, or salary, even if high. It comes from revelling in the process, in breaking new barriers, in recognition. So in the ad maker’s eyes, advertisements/ other creative content is inextricably linked with awards.
Why, as creative agencies go, McCann is a remarkable company and makes some remarkable ads. No doubt that ‘Dumb ways to die’ public service announcement for Metro trains in Melbourne by McCann Australia has already received many ad industry awards. And that the advertorial is a huge favourite for this year’s Lion. (More here: ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ ad top contender for Cannes award
Everyone consuming this content doesn’t always understand the dynamics of recognition or the pull for awards. There are ‘how to win awards’ manuals… I found this slide on slideshare in a presentation: How to win a Cannes Advertising Award by Nishad Ramachandran @
How to win a Cannes advertising award
If you paid attention to an earlier slide describing the process for awarding points, they fall under following four heads:
Strategy 20%
Idea 40%
Execution 40%
Results 20%
So, my friends, how much would each of you give to the ‘Share my Dabba’ ad?
Older post:
Getting worked up with all the unsolicited and downright annoying spam, more this month than ever. Of course I am angry at myself for not knowing more techniques to spot them right away, and some of them do look genuine (read: you hope them to be for you). So for some I went ip checking, and for yet others, pasted the text in Google to find out if the same has been posted elsewhere. It’s an old technique but always turns up some nice gems from others as hassled, or from some forum I didn’t know was discussing SPAM.
So there were the usual, people who found whole databases, list of most annoying ones (which included the one I had searched), and various techniques and plug ins to deal with SPAM. But that won’t give me satisfaction or peace, I know.
Hence I recommend the best way I came across to deal with it, after you are done with the serious stuff.
Dealing with SPAM… the fun way @
http://blog.fpweb.net/dealing-with-spam-the-fun-way/
Peter Cartier, thanks for making light of it.
In Mamoriam: Beloved Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge is celebrating 130 years. Designed by father, completed by son. In 14 years. Same as the amount of time it took to complete Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad.
Purposely designed to allow pedestrians to walk on it.
Photos @
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/130th-anniversary-of-the-brooklyn-bridge-slideshow/
Yahoo reports this morning that a four lane bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed but there were no casualties even as 3 persons were sent to hospital; and shows a picture of collapsed bridge along with 2 cars dumped in shallow water.
More information here:
No fatalities in I-5 bridge collapse in NW Wash
(Link @
http://news.yahoo.com/no-fatalities-5-bridge-collapse-nw-wash-045838024.html
)
The AP article states that built in 1955, the bridge was designated as functionally obsolete. ‘It had a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records. That is well below the statewide average rating of 80, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score.’
‘Washington state was given a C in the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2013 infrastructure report card. The group said more than a quarter of Washington’s 7,840 bridges are considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.’
It also talks about how many bridges in that county are more than 50/ 70/ 80 years old.
Our own case: Ellis Bridge
The collapsed bridge somehow reminded me of Ellis Bridge (Long ago rechristened as Vivekanand Bridge but I can’t seem to relate to the new name) in Ahmedabad. Ellis Bridge has crossed its designated life span of 100 years during which it did commendably well too. But after being rendered functionally obsolete, even if the same terms were not used, a new function has not yet been assigned to it. I have not heard of any attempts to check if it is structurally deficient, or is still good to go after the expiry date. Even if it were, being narrow, it is certainly not enough for the new age traffic. It’s present is far less glorious than it’s past: Ensconced in railings and roads passing on both sides, without even a pedestrian access to it, with trash thrown on it’s tattered tar surface, it certainly makes a sorry sight.
Ellis Bridge is in the last cycle of it’s life, and has been decaying and neglected before someone thought of putting a set of two roads around it, or as happened recently, of letting it go. Happy that the idea of demolishing it has been reversed thanks to some laudable citizen activism and good sense on AMC’s part. But it is going to take much much more to really ‘save’ Ellis Bridge.
Bring on the accessibility, improve the geometry, revitalise the whole area, add the infrastructure, educate the citizens, sensitise the decision makers… we are all stakeholders in this!
pdate: Brouhaha over logo continues…
News: CEPT University logo has changed.
For a while, there was voting going on facebook for what should become CEPT’s new Logo. Seems it’s over. The colourful sketch centred design seems to have lost to a plain and modern set of words – at least on CEPT website, and as of right now.
There is also some childish criticism going around and youth focussed (and news starved) dailies are making items out of the same.
Mr. Bhowmick’s take in Times of India (16 May 2013)
DNA reports (16 May 2013):
http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/1835451/report-new-logo-creates-furore-among-ceptian-community
Folks on facebook are reacting angrily:
- Not a new logo, a new font!
- Where is the logo? All I can see is Grey CEPT and Green University.
- It’s disgusting!
- It’s architects’ job, not planners’. Don’t ruin it by changing the logo.
As is obvious, many are really upset over the issue. A strange yet familiar brand of Alumni activism and reactions are emerging as well. I am looking with amazement at the groups being formed to oppose the ‘call’ taken by the administration. And public consultation? People want to be consulted because they liked the earlier logo? Because the institution teaches them public participation?
Even as it may not be clear how much ownership the President feels over School or CEPT (having studied there, when his father was the dean (same as president now), and one of the founding fathers of School of Architecture; and having his wife as well as sister study there… not to forget the three years his son spent in SID; as well as teaching; taking workshops and employing a good number of CEPT products); no one can blame him for not knowing it up close and personal.
Apparently there is some bad blood between the existing personalities and the new ones, like in all changes. Calling Bimal Patel autocratic has become a routine response on campus now, and what is euphemistically called administration is another name for the new President. If changing of the logo is, as portrayed, his move, it’s not earning him any brownie points.
Looking back…
The original (whatever that means) logo was certainly popular, judging by the emotional reactions of so many past and present students. No doubt that even bureaucratic organisations like Council of Architecture and Government of Gujarat departments dealing with a huge number of universities too instantly recognised anything CEPT thanks to that logo.
Adding this example from a surveyer’s website to prove it:
CEPT logo was recognisable from, like, a mile away…
And Janmarg page, with it’s all too famous logos…
Bus Rapid Transit website, where CEPT CRDC are consultants
But I am finding it really strange that the logo design is being attributed entirely to Mr. Bhaumik, and there is no mention from so many who participated in the CEPT logo contest back in 1992.
And strangely, none either of the seed planted by Binnie (One Kamaljit Singh Sandhu, hope the name is correct, from 1986 batch) during a NASA meet. It was a sketch made on a bath towel when the team participating in that NASA realised they had no banner or flag like the other schools. I wish someone would dig that up, and move the discussion towards constructive efforts to foster the brand recognition CEPT already has. There is certainly enough space below the university’s name on the red brick wall at the entrance…
Subject: Bob Sieger, Madison architect + HotelRED, Wisconsin
Story such as this would be interesting from any walk of life but it interests me more because it is from an architect’s life. And it is about a building.
Building
This is a hotel sporting contemporary interiors, and the facade treatment makes for an eye catching building. What interested me first was the appearance, and then some research revealed a life story as well.
As hotels go, this building looks different in grey RCC and reds of all kinds. Tripadvisor is full of reviews saying people loved the contemporary feel and the use of red. Even when there are folks calling it cold, there are enough guests raving about the grey and red and its sleekness.
Architects normally try to realise their aesthetic dreams through their own dwelling (I mean normal architects*). Many architects get to experiment on other people’s dwellings. If big enough, they get to fly fancy on museums and office buildings even. But not so much with hospitals and gas stations and conservative building types such as government/ service buildings and hotels. So such an aesthetic for a function oriented commercial building seems to be an odd choice and an achievement simultaneously.
Story
This is one way for destiny to grant an architect his dreams. On the hotel website and elsewhere, there is some description about the architect wanting to design the building in a certain manner, and his preference for a specific colour and such. But how do you convince a client to build your vision? There are two answers: 1. Do it yourself and 2. In case f trouble, you might get lucky like Bob, so keep that faith.
Here’s a piece of news: Hotel next to Camp Randall open for business (Originally appeared in Wisconsin State Journal @
http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/article_3072eea4-c842-11e0-a606-001cc4c002e0.html
)
Nearly two years after construction shut down, a new hotel across from Camp Randall Stadium opened its doors Tuesday and welcomed its first guests. HotelRED, at 1501 Monroe St., is finishing up some details but launched a soft opening this week with a grand opening planned for later in the month. “We’ve gone from development to finally being open,” said Michael Erikson, president of Red Hospitality, which owns the hotel. “We’re excited. We have guests.” Construction on the four-story, 48-room hotel began in 2008 in a project headed up by Madison architect and developer Bob Sieger. It stopped in October 2009 because of financial problems. Red Hospitality acquired it in March and completed construction. Erikson is Sieger’s son-in-law. Some rooms still need some details such as mirrors or phones, Erikson said, and the restaurant and bar are not open yet. With its unique red-and-concrete design and prominent location, the hotel has been a curiosity for neighbors and passersby for some time. Because of that, Erikson said the staff has been giving people tours. “We’ve started having staff by the front door so if people pop their heads in, we can show them around,” he said. The hotel will be managed by Fort Atkinson-based Inn Development and Management, which specializes in boutique hotels in Wisconsin and Iowa.
If you already figured out the point by putting together the title and this paragraph, 100 marks to you.
* + those in Hollywood movies of course.
The address from where I have borrowed these images (
http://www.zanewilliamsphotography.com/architecture/hotelred-photos5.htm
). Thanks for putting them up, Zane Williams.
Link to a pdf explaining the Architecture of HotelRED @
http://hotelred.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HotelRED_The_Architecture.pdf
Folks, this is Vivekanand Bridge, not the glorious Ellis Bridge that was. No point getting overly nostalgic…
(Postal Department’s tribute to Ellisbridge @
http://stamps.delcampe.net/page/item/id,31197193,var,119th-Year-of-Ellisbridge-Ahmedabad-Gujarat-Sp-cancel-on-PPC-2007-SCARCE,language,E.html
)
A plan of Victoria Garden, in relation to Ellis Bridge before the widening…
Victoria Garden Plan (Source: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation)
For many years I have been watching what is happening to the area around this historic monument. So much so that most people are barely conscious of the structure while passing by. There have been many stages and layers of destruction to what it was, and it is only the relic, mere symbol that is hanging low, ready to yield to practical and myopic decision making. Look at the series of short serving changes/ destructive decisions…
1. First, the ruin of Sunday Market/ Ravivari
Next,
2. Downfall of Victoria Garden’s and the road around it
3. Messing with Road leading to Ahmedshah’s mosque, area around Sewa office, and Akhandanand Press/ path to Bhadra
4. Breaking of turret next to Ellis Bridge to create a split bridge on both sides (thus breaking things even more historic, thereby establishing the logic of new over old, or measurable value like smooth movement over some vague sentiment about history)
5. Putting a pathetic excuse of a park next to Ellisbridge without parking or even a way to get there, and its psychotic security more interested in driving away visitors then letting them enjoy the
6. Constructing the mammoth of a flyover (literally) on Ashram Road (etiolating the beautiful 1938 Town Hall by Claude Batley in the process) and ending it right at the foot of Ellis Bridge.
7. The fact remains that given 120 years after the bridge, and numerous new bridges, nothing as beautiful has come up, and authorities during all these years may find it hard to ignore.
Although one may argue there were many other smaller steps leading to this spot, the decent has been constant and consistent. And more than the authorities, the citizens’ disinterest has brought it to this state. Hoping that this is what the Save Ellis Bridge’ movement might change.
In my humble opinion, the only way to avoid degradation of the area and save Ellis Bridge is the overhaul or preservation not of one element but of the entire environment. If more people are proactive, taking a long term view of our environment, built and otherwise, surely authorities will pay attention.
It is not only the designers’ job: the Great Sons of Ahmedabad’s Soil, as called by someone during this movement, too, need support.
Additional references:
Photos in skyscrapercity: @
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=158073&page=41
Slide show by Sivan Palakkaparambil on Tripadvisor
Update: Not all are patriots.
I have received enough spam mail from some sick mind/s who used words ‘Boston sympathy’ to tag this post. It originated in US and ip leads to a router.
I love Boston (but not bots). It’s an amazing city, in company of many amazing neighbours, full of inspiring people who responded so quickly with offers of help. Salute, true humans.
Sympathy for Boston (and others)
This morning, newspapers are reporting that the accused for Pune German Bakery blast is convicted.
Also, news is coming in about the three blasts at the end of Boston Marathon. My sympathy for the city, her citizens and all who are affected.
The act of scaring and scarring unarmed and unrelated citizens is becoming more and more common. Delhi, Mumbai, Malegaon, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, London, Brussels, Paris, and many more cities come to mind.
How is a city affected by these? Not only these events change the life of those who were directly affected, but also of those who weren’t there. Yesterday, we have heard the 100th story when a person who met with an accident did not find help.
It has become common for Mumbai people to start worrying seriously if a loved one is late and hasn’t called. Of course mutual trust is affected. India, which has long battled these terror acts sees more and more polarisation taking place because of actions of some.
Of course the CCTV systems for public places are finding more supporters. If in London all the dustbins from public places like tube stations are removed, it is to make them safer. In airports, routinely a bag will be picked up by the security if the owner veered away from it for more than two minutes.
Essentially adpoted as a way to draw attention, to display anger, and power, in a way highlights the powerlessness of those behind such acts. Often the show of power is towards an authority or a system. The trouble is that in large democracies, it is more and more difficult to pin down the blame for making decisions on persons, and even more difficult to harm them personally. So the acts of anger are turning more symbolic, directed more and more towards citizens.
Generally a government doesn’t give in to terror/ guerrilla warfare, and if the intention is to serve an ideology, it is not fulfilled. Governments don’t change their outlook on account of a few angry/ misguided subjects (specially if they try to harm other subjects). History stands witness to the fact that if it was towards a demand, it is not met. If it was a reaction from members of a large group, the rest of that group gets in more trouble. For those poor sods who went crazy on their own, they are just murdering people whether they look at it that way or not.
My heart goes out to citizens harmed and scared. Peace.
Here’s What It Would Look Like If Paris’s Houses Could Fly
This is so much fun…
Looking at Chehere’s images of Paris houses with stories to tell. Easy to admire for those who are still living in very indivisualised environments.
Although all of us are student time admirers of Baron Haussmann (or at least were taught passionately by those who were), and of Bath, and of Urban Design Controls, this post and it’s content provided an interesting look. Looking back on what was ingrained into us as charming, one tends to agree with the photographer Laurent Chehere. “This guy tried to destroy half of Paris and build the same building 20,000 times,” Nice take, Laurent. And good on ya for coverage, Henry.
Flying House, Paris
This morning, newspapers are reporting an illegal (new) building that collapsed in Mumbai. Too many buildings do not measure up to the specified codes for Structural/ Fire safety. Many defy the rules of how much space is to be constructed, margins allowed, and facilities to be provided within. The number is alarmingly high, going by the obvious examples.
If they are saying that 50% of a city is illegal, or something like 90% constructions don’t have requisite permissions; or that much of NCR (larger urban reach of Delhi) is unauthorised, there is something else going on. That brings me to the larger issue of ‘who’ is unlawful – the governed or the government?
A tiny criminal, of any nature, proven guilty or otherwise, is no match for a massive structure that is government. Committing a crime against fellow humans is one thing, but committing a crime against all of them (represented by the state) is another thing altogether. You could fool some of the government for some of the time, but not for a life time of a business (or even a full term of the officer in her/ his office). How could a small entity overpower or outsmart the huge apparatus of government; its ways perfected over years, the collective experience and intelligence thus accumulated and refined?
Just imagine, how long does a person have to live? How much can I gather that a perfected structure cannot? How much more can I amass than that legitimate, taxing, all pervasive and all powerful being? And how many laws could one ordinary fellow keep a tab on? Whether ambitious, corrupt, irreverent or desperate, I always know deep down that the crime against the system is temporary. If the society, as a rule, does not condone and do the same, I am in the ‘wrong’ and stand to pay for my actions.
Even a determined, evil, super-smart individual or business cannot get away with their digressions without the omniscient government looking sideways. Considering the sizes of the two dogs in the fight, my sympathy lies with the subject rather than the ruler. To me, there is little point demonising businesses, corporate houses, individuals or smaller entities, where the biggest change is possible and waiting to be made in government. Really.
