Cars are the worst objects on the planet. Despite the fact that we all know this to be true, we secretly crave the glossy pleasure of that big BMW.
The second worst objects are buildings: they surround us with dullness, encase us with useless limitation and they keep discovering dumber and uglier variations. For this we can thank architects.
You would think that architecture magazines would be apologetic or, at least, thin. Not so: they are thick and glossy and self-congratulatory. icon is a good example; they describe themselves like this:
Icon is one of the world’s finest architecture and design magazines.
Every month we interview the most exciting architects and designers in the world, visit the best new buildings, analyse the most interesting new cultural movements and technologies, and review an eclectic range of exhibitions, books, products and films.
Beautifully presented and accessible, rigorous and insightful, icon shows you exactly what’s happening in architecture and design today, and what it means for the future.
Sure.
But recently icon asked 50 of the world’s design and architecture big shots to issue their own manifestos for the future. No one was honest enough to say that they will do whatever they are paid to do but Bruce Mau did wonder why anyone would care about architecture anymore. Rem Koolhaus’ ‘manifesto’ was a weird mindless statement about how lucky Europeans are to live in Europe. The best words came from a designer, John Thackara and they are reprinted below:
John Thackara’s Manifesto
Articles of association between designers, human beings and technology.
Article 1
We cherish the fact that people are innately curious, playful and creative. We therefore suspect that technology is not going to go away: it’s too much fun.Article 2
We will deliver value to people – not deliver people to systems. We will give priority to human agency, and will not treat humans as a “factor” in some bigger picture.Article 3
We will not presume to design your experiences for you – but we will do so with you, if asked.Article 4
We do not believe in “idiot-proof” technology – because we are not idiots, and neither are you. We will use language with care, and will search for less patronising words than “user” and “consumer”.Article 5
We will focus on services, not on things. We will not flood the world with pointless devices.Article 6
We believe that “content” is something you do – not something you are given by a person in a black T-shirt.Article 7
We will consider material end energy flows in all the systems we design, with the objective of ensuring their impact on the biosphere
is neutral.Article 8
We will not pretend things are simple when they are complex. We value the fact that by acting inside a system, you will probably improve it.Article 9
We believe that place matters, and we will look after it.Article 10
We believe that speed and time matter, too – but that sometimes you need more, and sometimes you need less. We will not fill up all time with content.
