In this week’s comments update, readers are discussing an interview with Joe Gebbia in which he suggested that the creation of a National Design Studio demonstrates Trump’s commitment to design.
Known for co-founding Airbnb, Gebbia was recently appointed as America’s first design chief officer to manage and upgrade the nation’s digital infrastructure.
“Gilded applique is the hallmark of good design…please…”
Dezeen readers were up in arms. “If there’s one thing vibrant design absolutely doesn’t need, it’s a state-sanctioned institution,” argued Winterberg.
Others disputed the connection between Trump and design. “Trump and good design go together like oil and water,” said Time2Resist.
Barry Peterson was similarly scathing, writing “gilded applique is the hallmark of good design…please…”
However, not everyone was quite so cynical about the plans. “Great!” exclaimed smp, before expressing they were “surprised that more people aren’t excited about improving the digital and physical experience of government agencies.”
What do you make of it? Join the discussion ›
BIG designs Hamburg State Opera as “landscape of concentric terraces”
“Audacious, expensive and impractical, yet I would love to ascend that roofscape”
Also causing a stir in the comments section this week was architecture studio BIG’s designs for a waterfront home for Hamburg State Opera, which will be enclosed by a series of interconnected terraces.
The Truth called the project “more predictably superficial, gimmicky, one-liner swish-itecture from BIG.”
Commenter Jacob Volanski was on the same page, writing, “I can’t help but feel that the folks at BIG are getting bored”.
“Doesn’t look very opera house to me – where’s the drama?” asked Diorama.
Meanwhile, Ghost of Mike Brady called the design “audacious, expensive and impractical” before admitting “yet I would love to ascend that roofscape.”
They went on to acknowledge “to BIG’s credit, many of their designs are centred around giving something back to the public realm.”
Another commenter taking a positive stance was Chris, who described it as “graceful and interesting” before adding, “if they can get this built cleanly, it will be quite the building.”
Gimmicky or graceful? Join the discussion ›
DeRoche Projects encloses Accra tennis court with rammed-earth walls
“A solution in search of a problem”
Readers also struggled to reach a consensus on a mixed-use sports facility in Accra framed by rammed-earth walls, completed by local studio DeRoche Projects.
“Finally, a project that isn’t a flashy, bling-bling affair by investors who simply buy renowned architects or a marketing gimmick,” praised Winterberg.
JZ described it as a “simple concept with some dynamic patterning,” while Design Junkie wrote “old tech, new look – it works.”
But Aw offered a less flattering assessment, calling the project “a solution in search of a problem.” They went on to say “baffling how so much effort and energy has been expended to replace a simple thing like a net with dirt-coloured concrete.”
Which side are you on? Join the discussion ›
Comments update
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