Quit Patronizing Everyone…Please!

I used to want to be an architect. In some ways I still wish I could. If there were an Olympic competition for SimCity, I’d get gold medals in all events. I love geography, urban planning, etc. but certain personal circumstances called me in other directions, most likely for the better.

I toured the architecture school at the University of Washington two years ago and I frequently read about architecture-related news, etc. but what stopped me from pursuing this dream came down to two factors:

1. The economy

• I’m going to go back to school for nearly the length and tuition expense as a lawyer and doctor without the prospects of a job at the end?
• Furthermore, you’re  a complete underling for several years until you can get fully licensed and partner in a practice.
• Most architects barely make ends meet, contrary to popular opinion.

2. The “Reality” gap

• Don’t get me wrong, I love art, I’m a very artistic person but most architecture schools are far removed from the reality of 99% of design challenges; in my misanthropic opinion of course.
• In particular the Ivy League schools of design are the masters of floating out pipe dream buildings that will NEVER get built but get them brownie points at industry cocktail parties.

What ‘chu talkin’ ’bout Hillatrick?

Watch this video from [the only real journalist left at] CNN, Richard Quest. Specifically, pay attention to the eggshell foam-like shelter at 01:30. Who the hell would live in that? Even if it’s built, you’d have to be a bankruptcy attorney to be able to afford such a ‘trophy’ house.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2010/10/04/qmb.fc.la.cnn?hpt=C2

Furthermore, not to be a cynic or anything, but Los Angeles is done for. It’s got maybe two decades tops but after oil prices rise over $10 a gallon, Mel Gibson will bust out of the retirement home and become the real-life “Mad Max.” If an earthquake doesn’t bury the place, the oil-fueled sprawl/consumption culture that lies at the very heart of the city’s soul will eventually also be its own demise. Los Angeles, you’re your own worst enemy. And sad to say, Brenndin’s foamscicle house won’t save it.

Also, Richard files an excellent report but fails to really mention the demographics involved in the rush back into city centers. They’re rich. This is why I argue that this rush back to the urban center has little or no positive benefit on the environment for a couple of reasons.

1. A condo or apartment in any city center (unless its Detroit or Cleveland) will cost you an arm and a leg.
2. Many poor residents, via gentrification, have been forced out into the suburbs, causing even more White Flight further out into exurbia.
3. In our schizophrenic society, shorter commute times carry a heavy premium. What I mean is that you have to have more wealth to also have a short commute since most high paying jobs are conveniently concentrated around the highest-rent housing. Meanwhile, the poor masses get a ‘beater’ car and slog it out on the freeways for four hours a day.
4. In the case of Los Angeles, the sprawl may have slowed but not stopped. What about Palmdale? Victorville? If it weren’t for public lands, the entire Mojave Desert might be filled in all the way to Las Vegas with tract housing.

It reminds me of the scene in Back to the Future Part II when Marty McFly visits his old neighborhood in 2015 only to find it overrun by roving street gangs, causing chaos amongst the mostly abandoned houses. Shoot, welcome to 2010 dude! We don’t have any flying cars as promised, either.

In summary, I mean we have to get our heads out of the clouds and focus on practical solutions for the majority of people when it comes to urban redesign. Like these designs slated for the reconstruction of New Orleans…

http://iamnotarapperispit.com/2010/08/11/brad-pitt-commissions-designs-for-rebuilding-new-orleans-homes

…except I don’t know about the Cadillac CTS in the driveway. See, that’s New Orleans’ problem as well: chronic over reliance on the automobile. New Orleans should not be a city of single-family homes and grid-streets, the geography and climate fight against that. Instead, I believe that in addition to the ultra-compact, European-like French Quarter, most New Orleanians should live in mid-level or high rise buildings. I’m not advocating projects or Pruitt-Igoe type buildings but rather housing cooperatives and innovative social living ideas that have never been tried before in order to make high-density housing work. Also, when a hurricane comes you won’t have to evacuate as many people since they could theoretically shelter in place.

“But I have to roll up in my Caddy to the Seven-Eleven at three in the morning.”

See that’s the problem.

(skip to 3:15, it’s the best part)

See, now that I watch this I realize why I didn’t become an architect. The larger issues of society need to first be dealt with in order to really make amazing buildings and cities a reality. Minoru Yamasaki learned that lesson with Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis.