Thom Mayne: Architecture is a new way to connect to the wor

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- Thom Mayne: Architecture is a new way to connect to the worldThom Mayne doesn't see architecture as the means to build a readily imaginable structure. Rather, it's a starting point for new kinds of building -- and thus new kinds of landscapes and environments. This mind-bending talk takes us on a whistle-stop tour of the buildings Mayne and his studio Morphosis have created in recent years. From the Federal Building in San Francisco to graduate housing for the University of Toronto to the Wayne L. Morse Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, these are big ideas cast in material form.

Channel: Travel & Events
Uploaded: May 17, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Author: TEDtalksDirector

Length: 00:22:37
Rating: 4.35
Views: 23688

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Video Comments:
theiamania (October 18, 2008 at 10:01 am)
There are not many professions that are as full of bullshitting as architecture. And I am one of them, so I know how meaningless these rambles of words really are. Its embarrassing, and the discussion of architecture needs to be saved from these people whose only accomplishment is to detach architecture even further from the realm of the real
Theologikos (November 3, 2008 at 4:24 pm)
I couldn't agree more. I am studying architecture and long for the attempt of clarity in scientific writings, where jargon is used when needed, instead of architecture pseudophilosophy where it is used as substitute for good ideas.
charlesnsiegel (August 25, 2008 at 3:25 pm)
He has a hard time expressing his ideas in words because he doesn't really have any ideas. The only idea behind this style of architecture is to attract attention to yourself by doing something weird and different. But the architects have to justify it, so they invent theories so arcane that no one can see they are not really saying anything. The plaza of this building is the bleakest public space I have seen: whenever the wind blows, it fills up with a whirlwind of dust and trash.
ccaioc (June 26, 2008 at 12:10 am)
I would definitely love to have something of his in downtown São Paulo. It would be a fantastic rupture with that ugly, grey and unimaginative district.
Hroark7 (June 2, 2008 at 8:52 am)
Utter crap...the work is boring,like scrao yards.
As to the intellectual wanking ,it is reflective of the baby boomer rhetoric of Bullshit over Real content,character,and truth.
Nature --doesn't exist!!!
Great Architecture contects us with Freedom,Nature and the Universe...what we could and should be .
Only Fake Intellectuals swallow this garbage.
Want great Architecture ..check out the like of Lautner,Kellog.
danielsarch (July 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm)
There is never a wrong or right approach in architecture. I know this phrase is corny, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
Theologikos (November 3, 2008 at 4:37 pm)
Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. There are human universals. When asking large numbers of people the wast majority agree on what is beautiful and not, especially those not indoctrinated by the education. Ask 10 people yourself whether they find Canterbury Cathedral or some same-sized warehouse most beautiful. Ask anyone whether Venice or London is most beautiful. Ask anyone whether Angelina Jolie or the Queen of England is most beautiful. The wast majority will answer the same
danielsarch (November 3, 2008 at 10:13 pm)
you know its so funny that you say the vast majority clarifies the "right" answer. Since you study architecture, you should know that the Effiel Tower was thought of as "ugly" and was so close to being torn down due to the majority's view of it. Now look in our modern time the Tower is the very icon of Paris. So what do think about what I said? I take criticism very kindly so you can feel free to say whatever. ; )
Theologikos (November 4, 2008 at 9:12 am)
The Eiffel tower is an example of something that our culture teaches us is beautiful. Angelina jolie is beautiful because she has characteristics that evolution has caused us to favour. Beauty is both culturally and genetically determined. Some things, like enjoyment of a good view, are universal, hence usually biological, while the awe for architectural simplicity is cultural. For the cultural i agree: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or culture. Not for the hard-wired biological.
danielsarch (November 4, 2008 at 9:23 am)
hehehe don't tell me your one of those critics that dance around the question with fancy words but never answer it directly? I simply said that the Effiel Tower was hated around its time of erection and in our modern time its the very icon of Paris. you barely responded as to why the Effiel Tower turned from hideous to the essence of Paris...if you say culture made society see it as beauty so quickly, then i guess anything can turn beautiful over night pretty much hehehe