Comments on: McPeople

By: mack

mack — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:17:42 +0000

Why ‘De-blandify’. Architecture is a service industry and residential clients come to architects believing that they have a certian expertise in the field of residential design. I do not think this is entirely untrue, as many clients have lived in houses their entire life. My question to you is why is this so upsetting? My house has a living room, your house probably has a living room. Nobody uses a living room, but because it is a traditional roomtype, the living room is still seen in new construction. The bottom line is: This is what people want, and call it bad taste, bad design, bad style, whatever; the architect’s job is to satisfy the client. Through out history, designers have tried tried not to be limited by this fact by writing theory books, paper architecture, theoritical architecture, competitions, etc, but the fact remains none the less.

By: B-Rad

B-Rad — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 08:39:13 +0000

Yeah, the line about “take a 2×4″ to your problem was pretty good, but the ads generally did make me cringe every time I heard them.

And yes, blandness rules, but we do our best to de-blandify our client’s lives with thougthful design that doesn’t cost (too much) more.

Wish I had more time to think up and post something profound, but just give me some time, it’ll come.

By: paul

paul — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:18:25 +0000

Erinn,

Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, my professional experience has shown that “educating” clients doesn’t work. The come with their ideas of what they want. To try and sway them from that usually leads to lost clients (speaking from personal experience).

Engaging the general public also doesn’t do very much. We have a different cultural mindset in the US. For some proof, go to a furniture store and see what sells. The “average” person in the US has terrible taste. It’s just not culturally breed into us.

The AIA’s campaign has been absolutely laughable (and I’m a dues paying member–one that’s quite humiliated by their radio ads). Too much of it makes architects seem even more pretentious and snooty, which is the opposite of what we want .
I used to have the same hope that people would pick better if given the option. I no longer think that. Wal*Mart, McDonalds and the like are still far to popular. When people pick better than those, we might have hope again.

By: erinn

erinn — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 19:54:33 +0000

I don’t necessarily think that the subdivision or tract homes reflect the people living in them. I just think, no, I know that Toll Brothers, Ryan Homes, Pulte, etc. spend more money and do a better job (obviously) at marketing their services and products to the mass public than the AIA does or any architect or architectural association. (More) Architects need to step up to the plate and become more engaged with the general public and typical homeowner (and not just the ultra wealthy) and educate them as to what good design is and that their house doesn’t nor should it look like everyone else’s. I believe if more people were given the option to live in a reasonably priced, better designed and better looking house in a sustainable community they would choose that over the rest of the junk that is being constructed today.

Glad to see more architects blogging.
Best!

By: Larry Garnett

Larry Garnett — Tue, 15 May 2007 15:18:40 +0000

As a residential designer (not a registered architect), I appreciate your comments. Unfortunately, your last comment may be all too true – perhaps some of the bland designs do reflect the owner’s personality! However, I still believe there’s an incredible opportunity to create a series of sensible and unpretentious designs. I’m in the final stages of writing a book (to be published Dec 07) regarding the process individuals face when selecting and creating a home design. By the way, this is an interesting web site – keep up the good work!