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blakkdoll
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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 Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:41 am Post subject: What appeals to architects? |
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I am working on a project that addresses architects and counter terrorism.
I want to know what appeals to architects?
What is it that entices them about a project? what do u look at?
and why do most architects who design for security make everything look so menacing? so ugly? o scary?
I want to know why it is they take this route? Architects out there please help! I would also like to set up a brief interview with any working architect available for a few minutes to chat. anyone interested please msg me back. |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1053
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: |
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Not knowing where you are from I'm not sure which buildings you have experienced. In my own experience it is a mixed picture, I've seen a few quite agreeable police stations and magistrates courts.
But yes, there are many many ugly ones, particularly prisons! The clients are normally public/government authorites and, in the UK, the priorities are often budgetary, not design led. There are political considerations too - it might not be seen as a wise use of taxpayers money to create beautiful buildings to incarcerate criminals.
I was quite surprised at the security requirements for modern police stations. They are as much to keep the resident crims in, as well as to hinder escape bids and terrorist attack. You can easily end up with big. blocky f**k-off buildings.
Why are architects attracted to such projects? Well, you can imagine that the fee from a large public building project, whatever its design approach, can keep an architectural practice busy for several years! |
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IDesign4You
Joined: 27 Jan 2008
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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I noticed there is another topic called 'Top Ten Terrorist Targets' in this forum. Perhaps you should have a look at it.
No project or building can be immune to terrorism, however I have seen some interesting designs recently that seem to be less prone to terrorism, particularly those built into the earth, earth bermed or built into embankments, or with earth as a primary building material. Thus, those that are less likely to be targets of jets or suffer large damage or structural failure in an attack. One could classify also the degree of damage, as all buildings will suffer some damage in an attack. But there are some design techniques that will reduce the damage. Projects need not look menacing or scary but certainly such a building would in a sense give a message to possible attackers to leave it alone.
Good luck in your search and I do hope others respond also.
IDY |
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blakkdoll
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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thank you for the replies.
I am trying to understand the languagage in which architects speak, because i am trying to create something in which i have to appeal to the architects, make them look, spark their interest. which is why i am trying to get into contact with one, to understand how they think. Since this is an architecture forum and im assuming everyone who replies is in the field, perhaps you can help me. this is was i meant by what appeals to architects. I want to know how i communicate with them in their own language. |
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The Architect
Joined: 09 Jun 2005
Posts: 184
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:44 am Post subject: |
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99.999% of all architects are told what to do and how to do it. It's called - paying the bills. What little architectual vernacular they do have is "...yes Sir."
The 'Others', me included - tell YOU what to do and HOW to do it, we 'speak' Architecture and don't really give a shit about paying the bills, etc..
That's the big 'D' in how to communicate Architecture. It comes down to an Individual price. A price you're willing to pay - or not. The Truth is out there - go find it! And those that have - can't wrap up Architecture in nice neat words for you to 'understand' and 'employ'. But I'll give you this much blakkdoll...
Architecture is a Life force - a form of Life - all on it's own. Pure, raw, Architecture is a powerful thing. And it is spoken - clean and clear - in structural ryhthms from the inside >>> out.
Take care... |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1053
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Architecture is a sensory, spatial and temporal experience, it is not a written language. Architects need to be excellent communicators, graphically and verbally, particularly because many clients are ignorant of what is possible, or are conservative in their aspirations because of the high (financial) stakes.
I would hope we speak the same language as everyone else. Certainly that is the way I myself work. The aim should be to persuasively convey sophisticated and complex ideas in a direct and simple way. Shouldn't it? |
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blakkdoll
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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yes i agree that architects need to be excellent communicators, but with regards to anti-terrorist designs, why do architects almost always resort to menacing designs that looks fiercely scary and uninviting as opposed to design that looks good whilst simultaneously defendable.
I understand the concept of scarying the unwanted off, but what about the rest of the citizens? why should they give up a sense of their freedom to feel secure by visibly menacing structures when they can easily be designed to be less conspicous or integrated beautifully and cleverly within the enviroment whilst still protecting a building. |
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blakkdoll
Joined: 01 Nov 2007
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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| why are architects less engaged with anti terrorist led design when they have the ability and creativity to change in a positive way! |
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Madimel
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 153
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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You have to understand that your definition of ugly may be different in other people's eyes. Many people view Mie's buildings as mundane, or other modern archtiect's work as imposing due to it's pure geometry. So assigning an general expression to an architect's work is unfair. Architecture is about an overall idea and the process in which to convey that idea and at the same time meet the criteria or program as set forth by their client.
Now if the criteria is to have a project that requires it to follow security protocol, then most of the designs that you see are limited based on that. There are three important factors that we consider, site, function and budget. All three are equally important, for any one of those items not be met, then the project will become a failure. High security buildings are difficult to be very creative because of the severe restriction based on blast radius of any potential threat. Meaning a building can't have too many odd shapes or glass openings.
Lastly, what intrigues an architect are fees. You will seldom find an architect that will work for the good of the community. They're almost as difficult to find than a architect without an ego! |
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Madimel
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 153
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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You have to understand that your definition of ugly may be different in other people's eyes. Many people view Mie's buildings as mundane, or other modern archtiect's work as imposing due to it's pure geometry. So assigning an general expression to an architect's work is unfair. Architecture is about an overall idea and the process in which to convey that idea and at the same time meet the criteria or program as set forth by their client.
Now if the criteria is to have a project that requires it to follow security protocol, then most of the designs that you see are limited based on that. There are three important factors that we consider, site, function and budget. All three are equally important, for any one of those items not be met, then the project will become a failure. High security buildings are difficult to be very creative because of the severe restriction based on blast radius of any potential threat. Meaning a building can't have too many odd shapes or glass openings.
Lastly, what intrigues an architect are fees. You will seldom find an architect that will work for the good of the community. They're almost as difficult to find than a architect without an ego! |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1053
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:39 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | why do architects almost always resort to menacing designs that looks fiercely scary and uninviting as opposed to design that looks good whilst simultaneously defendable. |
Do you have any examples to back up your assertion, blakkdoll?
| Quote: | | what intrigues an architect are fees. You will seldom find an architect that will work for the good of the community. They're almost as difficult to find than a architect without an ego! |
Well speak for yourself, mate! Of course architects need to keep offices open and bread on the table, but we are trained (in the UK anyway) to make intelligent, well thought out and good looking interventions in the built environment. Most architects I know would bite someone's arm off to be able to work for enlightened clients with generous budgets but unfortunately don't often get the chance. |
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Richard Haut
millennium club
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Nice, France
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | what intrigues an architect are fees. You will seldom find an architect that will work for the good of the community. |
I can think of a number of professions that that might apply to but not architecture - definitely not in Britain. I agree with Lekizz.
as for the weird "design that looks good whilst simultaneously defendable" - what exactly is "defendable" about a shopping centre or a housing complex or an ordinary office building ?
if such ordinary places need to be defended on a continuing basis, then it has nothing whatsoever to do with architecture - the culture itself has crumbled.
note, and note carefully: no society will allow such ordinary places to be truly "defensible" for one very simple reason: those in control wish to stay in control.
they want you to be afraid, not to be able to defend yourself.
_________________
Richard Haut has worked with the architectural profession for over 25 years and produces the weekly Richard Haut's Competitions, which has given architects details of many thousands of projects for which they can apply across Britain and Europe. |
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birgco
Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 302
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, it's time for the two scariest phrases in the english language.......
know what they are??? 
#1. "I'm from the government........
and.....
#2. I'm here to help you........."
Who said it???? Aw, you'll never guess.  |
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Madimel
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 153
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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I'd much rather hear that than having the Missus say:
"We need to talk." and "Do you think she's pretty?" |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1966
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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Menacing is not necessarily ugly,...but maybe scary. But this is typical "form follows function" philosophy (see Nazi Architecture) where the idea of security invites images of strength and stark frankness: no flowers in jail!
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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