What GD and CP REALLY did in Paris...

[€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.

[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.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Prudence

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

We visited the EMP a few years back. Absolutely loved that one. Pictures do not do it justice because it looks different from every angle, both in color and architecture. Walking toward it, it seems like it moves over you.

I found the Pompidou to be a "design" lacking design. I don't think painting exposed air ducts is interesting or different. My local La Salsa fast food joint has the same "design".

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

...Walking toward it, it seems like it moves over you...

Yup. Just like rainbow vomit. I agree that it has to be seen to be believed.

[€uroMeinke]

Personally, I loved the escalator tubes - especially in the rain. My best memory of the place was the ticket taker, who refused to take my day pass because it was an hour before closing - "please go in, but you must come back tomorrow and see the rest"

[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.

[€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]

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.

[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