"If you wanted to build a new library downtown somewhere, Rem Koolhaas is probably the last architect you would think to hire. For years, Koolhaas has been ranting about how traditional cities don’t matte anymore, and how the rise of new technologies has made public space obsolete, and how when people leave their houses the only thing the want to do is shop. His firm, the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, which is based in Rotterdam, wasn’t on the original list of architects being considered for a new library in Seattle, but one day in 1999 Koolhaas’ partner, Joshua Ramus, who comes from Seattle, got a phone call from his mother saying she had read in the local newspaper that any architect who wanted to be considered should show up the next day for a briefing. Ramus rushed to the airport, flew to Seattle, an eventually the firm got the job."
And you saw Herbert's rave?.
"In more than 30 years of writing about architecture, this is the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review. I could go on piling up superlatives like cars in a multiple collision, but take my word: there's going to be a whole lot of rubbernecking going on."
Oh, and nice title...
care to take him (HM) down a peg ? we also slag muschamp around here. amoung other issues he seems to be in bed with the subject(s) of his critique(s).
I was being sarcastic about the title... (fishnets?! really...)
"In bed with" might be a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but, yes, he does play favorites - and I agree that that is a major understatement.
His use of the superlative should really be toned down, and he does a disservice to the architecture profession by writing articles that are not accessible, yes.
But he is smart. And powerful.
As for the power--feh! The Times used to rotate critics to avoid that. Maybe it's time to switch Herbie over to food?
Vertical food would have to come back into fashion...
Didn't Kimmelman use to be classical music?
gherkins for instance.
LOL, good one.
Kimmelman is a good example of where the rotation policy breaks down. Apparently his first love is music, so the Times said, "here, do art."
It has been rumored for years that Herbert has been on the way out... drinking, drinking, using his "power" unprofessionally, etc. The latest is a lawsuit brought against him (personally, not against the Times) for calling architects and strong-arming them into not releasing images to Architectural Record/Rizzoli.
20 big images of the Seattle library.
if the book thing doesnt work out they can always switch to shoes and handbags. selma, here is some more muschamp crapola from here.
I thought I liked it, but now looking at these photos (thanks jim!), I'm thinking: what is that?!
not to belabor this, but I was just thinking about it... do people really use libraries with so much information available to us online? (Well, my real question is do people use them enough to warrant a $162 million new one)?
According the Seattle Library’s own website:
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PATRONS TO VISIT
The new Central Library is expected to draw more than 8,000 visitors per day during its first year of operation (4,000 a day in the old building). Architects designed the Library accordingly – not just as a civic icon, but as a functional, user-friendly building featuring comprehensive services and a mix of formal and informal spaces.
TECHNOLOGY
The new Central Library will feature more than 400 public computers. The old building had 75. The Library boasts a wealth of databases (more than 50) and other electronic resources to help patrons. It also features an advanced automated book check in and sorting system. Self-checkout will be available at several locations. Some Library staff members in the Charles Simonyi Mixing Chamber and the Books Spiral will wear lightweight, wireless communication devices to talk with each other as needed. The new Central Library will have wireless Internet access, so patrons can use their wireless laptop computers to access the Internet at any location in the library and will not be limited to regular computer areas of the library.
..if you are curious what “Mixing Chamber” and "Books Spiral" rooms are, here you go.
Apparently, if you build it they will come. Some good figures in this article (well, it is cnn):
http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/04/pf/goodlife/bilbao_effect/
I was one of the 12,000 visitors at the Seattle library this weekend. And I have to say, it is a terrific project.
excellent shoe designed by Rem - not Rem Koolhaas the 1st, but designed by his nephew Rem Koolhaas the 2nd. This is a new site for me: http://www.reluct.com/home/index.html
I know. I want. Color? Price :-(
Hi steve. how did that project turn out, if I may ask? Did you find some photos to use?
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- bill 5-17-2004 8:12 pm
And you saw Herbert's rave?.
"In more than 30 years of writing about architecture, this is the most exciting new building it has been my honor to review. I could go on piling up superlatives like cars in a multiple collision, but take my word: there's going to be a whole lot of rubbernecking going on."
Oh, and nice title...
- selma 5-17-2004 8:25 pm [add a comment]
care to take him (HM) down a peg ? we also slag muschamp around here. amoung other issues he seems to be in bed with the subject(s) of his critique(s).
- bill 5-17-2004 8:47 pm [add a comment]
I was being sarcastic about the title... (fishnets?! really...)
"In bed with" might be a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but, yes, he does play favorites - and I agree that that is a major understatement.
His use of the superlative should really be toned down, and he does a disservice to the architecture profession by writing articles that are not accessible, yes.
But he is smart. And powerful.
- selma 5-17-2004 9:05 pm [add a comment]
As for the power--feh! The Times used to rotate critics to avoid that. Maybe it's time to switch Herbie over to food?
- tom moody 5-17-2004 9:12 pm [add a comment]
Vertical food would have to come back into fashion...
Didn't Kimmelman use to be classical music?
- selma 5-17-2004 9:15 pm [add a comment]
gherkins for instance.
- bill 5-17-2004 9:17 pm [add a comment]
LOL, good one.
- selma 5-17-2004 9:18 pm [add a comment]
Kimmelman is a good example of where the rotation policy breaks down. Apparently his first love is music, so the Times said, "here, do art."
- tom moody 5-17-2004 9:21 pm [add a comment]
The cultural editor, Steven Erlanger, was just rotated out of culture into news. He is now the Bureau Chief in Jerusalem. Talk about night and day...
- selma 5-17-2004 9:31 pm [add a comment]
It has been rumored for years that Herbert has been on the way out... drinking, drinking, using his "power" unprofessionally, etc. The latest is a lawsuit brought against him (personally, not against the Times) for calling architects and strong-arming them into not releasing images to Architectural Record/Rizzoli.
- selma 5-17-2004 9:27 pm [add a comment]
20 big images of the Seattle library.
- jim 5-18-2004 9:44 pm [add a comment]
if the book thing doesnt work out they can always switch to shoes and handbags. selma, here is some more muschamp crapola from here.
- bill 5-18-2004 9:55 pm [add a comment]
I thought I liked it, but now looking at these photos (thanks jim!), I'm thinking: what is that?!
- selma 5-18-2004 10:18 pm [add a comment]
not to belabor this, but I was just thinking about it... do people really use libraries with so much information available to us online? (Well, my real question is do people use them enough to warrant a $162 million new one)?
According the Seattle Library’s own website:
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PATRONS TO VISIT
The new Central Library is expected to draw more than 8,000 visitors per day during its first year of operation (4,000 a day in the old building). Architects designed the Library accordingly – not just as a civic icon, but as a functional, user-friendly building featuring comprehensive services and a mix of formal and informal spaces.
TECHNOLOGY
The new Central Library will feature more than 400 public computers. The old building had 75. The Library boasts a wealth of databases (more than 50) and other electronic resources to help patrons. It also features an advanced automated book check in and sorting system. Self-checkout will be available at several locations. Some Library staff members in the Charles Simonyi Mixing Chamber and the Books Spiral will wear lightweight, wireless communication devices to talk with each other as needed. The new Central Library will have wireless Internet access, so patrons can use their wireless laptop computers to access the Internet at any location in the library and will not be limited to regular computer areas of the library.
..if you are curious what “Mixing Chamber” and "Books Spiral" rooms are, here you go.
- selma 5-18-2004 11:26 pm [add a comment]
Apparently, if you build it they will come. Some good figures in this article (well, it is cnn):
http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/04/pf/goodlife/bilbao_effect/
I was one of the 12,000 visitors at the Seattle library this weekend. And I have to say, it is a terrific project.
- selma 8-09-2004 7:56 pm [add a comment]
excellent shoe designed by Rem - not Rem Koolhaas the 1st, but designed by his nephew Rem Koolhaas the 2nd. This is a new site for me: http://www.reluct.com/home/index.html
- selma 8-09-2004 8:58 pm [add a comment]
I guess it is supposed to be inspired by the Mies Barcelona chair.
- selma 8-09-2004 9:14 pm [add a comment]
nice shoe!
- steve 8-10-2004 3:25 pm [add a comment]
I know. I want. Color? Price :-(
Hi steve. how did that project turn out, if I may ask? Did you find some photos to use?
- selma 8-11-2004 1:45 am [add a comment]