Comments on: Robert A.M. Stern, part 1 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625 on architecture in New York and beyond Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:42:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Richard http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625&cpage=1#comment-1013 Richard Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:42:55 +0000 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625#comment-1013 Robert Stern has always been a second rate architect who relied on the language of Post-Modernism to cleverly conceal the weakness of his very mediocre designs. Now that PM has fallen to the wayside, his work is revealed to be what it truly is: very unremarkable and very unimaginative. However, he is very adept at playing the game of rubbing elbows with the shakers and movers of this world, and serving as the dean of the Yale School of Architecture has helped him in much the same way being associated with MOMA helped his mentor, Philip Johnson, another very ordinary architect. Perhaps it is fitting that Stern is the architect of the George W. Bush library, for both of them have relied far too much on their connections rather than their ability. And regardless of what one thinks of Bush's politics, it's a shame that an opportunity to create a magnificent piece of architecture has been lost and wasted. Robert Stern has always been a second rate architect who relied on the language of Post-Modernism to cleverly conceal the weakness of his very mediocre designs. Now that PM has fallen to the wayside, his work is revealed to be what it truly is: very unremarkable and very unimaginative. However, he is very adept at playing the game of rubbing elbows with the shakers and movers of this world, and serving as the dean of the Yale School of Architecture has helped him in much the same way being associated with MOMA helped his mentor, Philip Johnson, another very ordinary architect. Perhaps it is fitting that Stern is the architect of the George W. Bush library, for both of them have relied far too much on their connections rather than their ability. And regardless of what one thinks of Bush’s politics, it’s a shame that an opportunity to create a magnificent piece of architecture has been lost and wasted.

]]> By: Joe W. http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625&cpage=1#comment-1012 Joe W. Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:48:31 +0000 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625#comment-1012 Come on "Jack"-- if you want to have serious discussion, say responsible things. Calling someone a "loser" is beneath the dignity of intelligent conversation. Disagree with policy, make reasoned critique of the design, etc. but don't call names and then blame the man for the actions of two generations earlier. That being said-- Stern's design is indeed joyless, lacks texture and depth. It reminds me of the very early PoMo buildings with their paper-thin appearance like chip board models. Even Stern can do better than this! Come on “Jack”– if you want to have serious discussion, say responsible things. Calling someone a “loser” is beneath the dignity of intelligent conversation. Disagree with policy, make reasoned critique of the design, etc. but don’t call names and then blame the man for the actions of two generations earlier.

That being said– Stern’s design is indeed joyless, lacks texture and depth. It reminds me of the very early PoMo buildings with their paper-thin appearance like chip board models. Even Stern can do better than this!

]]> By: Jack Andersen http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625&cpage=1#comment-1011 Jack Andersen Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:25:42 +0000 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625#comment-1011 "W" may go down as the worst Presidents of all time; does Stern really want to be part of that legacy?? As architects, let's get political here for just a minute and not take on clients even if they are one of the greatest "C" students from Yale (and losers) of all time. Also, let’s not all forget the Walker Family’s association with supporting and funding of Hitler and the Nazi Party; in today’s context, this would be considered an act of terrorism against the Jewish community if not the entire world. “W” may go down as the worst Presidents of all time; does Stern really want to be part of that legacy??  As architects, let’s get political here for just a minute and not take on clients even if they are one of the greatest “C” students from Yale (and losers) of all time.  Also, let’s not all forget the Walker Family’s association with supporting and funding of Hitler and the Nazi Party; in today’s context, this would be considered an act of terrorism against the Jewish community if not the entire world.

]]> By: Simon http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625&cpage=1#comment-1010 Simon Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:23:33 +0000 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625#comment-1010 I agree with Zach Wingate's thought above. The design is retro, like a prison model from the 1960s. No character and bunch of blocks put together. Bush has been misled again by another trusted agent of his - yes, that was the story of his presidency as well. I agree with Zach Wingate’s thought above.  The design is retro, like a prison model from the 1960s.  No character and bunch of blocks put together.  Bush has been misled again by another trusted agent of his – yes, that was the story of his presidency as well.

]]> By: Zach Wingate http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625&cpage=1#comment-1009 Zach Wingate Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:53:55 +0000 http://www.architakes.com/?p=1625#comment-1009 Well, I suppose there is a justice of sorts in the choice of Robert A. M. Stern's retro design at SMU for the GWB library -- ponderous, joyless, stripped-down Neo-classicism of the style favored by Albert Speer and his authoritarian client. The fact that neither the former president nor the educational institution recognizes the architect's cynical joke says a great deal about them. If a tad culturally aware, they would immediately reject the proposed plan and instead hire Allan Greenberg, Stern's less famous but more discerning rival in the field of traditional architecture. At least his work would not be just a political one-liner and vacuous pastiche. Well, I suppose there is a justice of sorts in the choice of Robert A. M. Stern’s retro design at SMU for the GWB library — ponderous, joyless, stripped-down Neo-classicism of the style favored by Albert Speer and his authoritarian client.  The fact that neither the former president nor the educational institution recognizes the architect’s cynical joke says a great deal about them. If a tad culturally aware, they would immediately reject the proposed plan and instead hire Allan Greenberg, Stern’s less famous but more discerning rival in the field of traditional architecture. At least his work would not be just a political one-liner and vacuous pastiche.

]]>