What GD and CP REALLY did in Paris...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

but for a building designed to be artistically unique, it totally works for me.

To me, just as "new and different" does not automatically equal bad, neither does it automatically equal good.

Frank Gehry designs buildings that are simultaneously unique, non-traditional, AND eye-pleasing. I much prefer his style of architectural rebelion to the anti-asthetic industrial look of the Pompidou.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Frank Gehry designs buildings that are simultaneously unique, non-traditional, AND eye-pleasing. I much prefer his style of architectural rebelion to the anti-asthetic industrial look of the Pompidou.

And yet it seems every city now must have a Gehry - which ultimately seems to undermine their uniqueness.

I concede that Gehry's use of more organic forms is more eye pleasing, but Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini's Pompidou I think tickles the imagination of turning a building inside out.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, Gehry's getting a little trendy, so his designs are probably not the place to go to break new ground anymore. But that's usually the end point of any successful groundbreaker. I just brought him up as an example of how once can break the mold without being ugly.

Googling other work by Piano and Rogers, I like the other stuff they've done a lot more than the Pompidou. I respect the concept, but dislike the asthetics. But I've also always disliked interior spaces with exposed duct work. I tend to prefer things that manage to be equally conceptual/utilitarian and asthetic. I see a difference between redefining asthetics vs. completely rejecting it.

And for the record, at least according to google and other sites, Franchini (designer of the contentious Louvre pyramid, which I happen to have an affinity for) did not work on the Pompidou.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I will say that I find the front of the building (with the escalator) less unappealing than the side with the colored ducts. Too primary, kinda garish.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

And for the record, at least according to google and other sites, Franchini (designer of the contentious Louvre pyramid, which I happen to have an affinity for) did not work on the Pompidou.

Hmmm, could be - I pulled it from a Pompidou Site that claimed:

BACKGROUND: THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

1970: an international architectural competition was launched. It was based on a programme aimed at achieving the objectives set by President Georges Pompidou and drawn up by the Sébastien Loste team. Chaired by the internationally renowned architect Jean Prouvé, the prize-winners selected by the jury were Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini, assisted by Ove Arup & Partners. The Centre Pompidou construction office, called Etablissement public constructeur du Centre Beaubourg, was set up at the end of 1971, through a decree by the Ministry for the Arts and Culture. Robert Bordaz was appointed as its chairman

But, I have no direct knowledge of who was in the architectural team and how their roles played out in its construction

[Ghoulish Delight]

Interesting. I wonder if maybe Franchini was in on the concept stage for the competition but not in the actual construction phase.

EDIT: Ah, I found one source that credits Franchini with the interior design.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Interesting. I wonder if maybe Franchini was in on the concept stage for the competition but not in the actual construction phase.

EDIT: Ah, I found one source that credits Franchini with the interior design.

I suggest we book a trip to Paris to investigate this further - some questions are too important to rely on the internet for an answer

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Frank Gehry designs buildings that are simultaneously unique, non-traditional, AND eye-pleasing. I much prefer his style of architectural rebelion to the anti-asthetic industrial look of the Pompidou.

Have you perhaps not SEEN the EMP building? I'd take the Pompidou any day over the monument to rainbow vomit.

[Not Afraid]

So, Chris Googled the EMP building to get a picture, I glanced over and said "Is it being tented?"

[Ghoulish Delight]

Aww, I love the EMP building. It was the first Gehry building I ever saw, as a matter of fact.