MY BRAIN HURTS (PART 3)

As the final chapter in this struggle to both create my own design process and then link my idea to the requirements of this studio, I sought for the answers by immersing myself in the works of three established architects: Peter Zumthor, Daniel Libeskind and Frank Gehry. I also spent hours watching interviews by these architects in the hopes of discovering each of their unique methods and, fortunately, managed to come upon the following videos :

Peter Zumthor

In this video, Zumthor expresses his design process in both a direct and eloquent manner--- very similar to his designs. Much emphasis is placed on his choice of materials. . . While watching this video, I couldn't help but wonder whether such a quiet, almost reclusive man is capable of designing a building that may be considered a drag queen . . . nothing's impossible . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwV-tFVTRT8&feature=related

Zumthor's ability to integrate his design with ruins, without losing their integrity, is remarkable. There's a “Bilbao effect” comment made that I found rather funny --- even though I admire Gehry. Still no evidence of a possible drag queen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jKoqKGP9N8&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div

This past Monday, an announcement was made that the Pritzker Prize is to be awarded to Peter Zumthor for his design of the Kunsthaus Bregenz.

This museum is a stately structure designed with his favorite materials concrete, steel and glass; but this time the curtain wall has LCD screens incorporated into their design. So at night . . .

There you go . . . that's Ed Wood in an angora sweater.

Daniel Libeskind

Best known for his design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin and now as the Master Planner for the Freedom Tower, has a more spiritual approach as described in his hour-long interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpEWaq-hsCA

(quick summary)

At no point does he mention materials (unless I missed it). Instead his focus is on the “Big Idea” -- the relevance of place and history, developing good architect-client relationships, interactive approach during the whole design process, show respect for the other principles, and to permit the design to evolve--- if it needs to. Since Libeskind started out as a musical prodigy, he was bound to refer to the influence music plays on architecture and mathematics. A marathon – sprint analogy was made while describing the design process. . . it's clearly a marathon.(Okay, I've run marathons; I know how to pace myself --- in sports.)

Liebeskind also mentioned how important it is to fight for your design --- like convincing the city of Berlin to finance his museum at the time of its reunification . . . wow!

A visitor's opinion of the Royal Ontario Museum --- pretty funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC_axrg0Cm8&NR=1

No matter what the project may be, the idea is always conveyed with sketches first.

Computers don't enter the process until much later --- such as the working drawing phase.

Are there any of Libeskind's designs that may be considered a drag queen . . . plenty; but I tend to feel the Denver Art Museum is his most prominent queen.

Last, but certainly not least . . . Frank Gehry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHQ9gAdpJ-o&NR=1

You either love his work, or you hate his work . . . but I don't know of anyone who isn't familiar with it.

This video, Gehry offers tips to all architect students: be yourself.

As far as computers are concerned, Gehry's office relies on the CATIA software to assist with the construction of the building and to determine cost of materials; but to use computers to convey an idea or while giving a presentation, no way. He admits to not knowing how to turn a computer on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhx6ZVfPvWE&NR=1

Gehry usually starts out with sketches, or as he likes to refer to them as . . . scribbles:

Frank and a design partner, Craig Webb, brainstorming a design. A few architecture students have likened his process to that of a kindergarten class . . . I feel that if it's okay for Frank, it's certainly okay for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6m0abRv9D0&NR=1

Need I ask whether Gehry has any drag queens?