Would the world be better without architects?

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Several years ago I overheard a conversation in which a man said that architects are "glorified designers" and that engineers get all of the blame for problems with buildings.

I sense--in general, not just from one specific conversation that I overheard--a dislike of architects similar to people's dislike of politicians or Wall Street. It is like people think that architects have unjust power over people's lives and that they use that power recklessly for their own personal gain and their own glory.

Who needs form anyway? All we need is engineers anyway, right?

 

[Davian]

...

Who needs form anyway? All we need is engineers anyway, right?

I could speak from experience, having been a user of many systems "designed" by engineers, then becoming a system integrator/programmer myself, and now run my own company as a systems designer (working with architects), or I could ask, have you noticed the popularity of Apple products?

 

[bhsmte]

Several years ago I overheard a conversation in which a man said that architects are "glorified designers" and that engineers get all of the blame for problems with buildings.

I sense--in general, not just from one specific conversation that I overheard--a dislike of architects similar to people's dislike of politicians or Wall Street. It is like people think that architects have unjust power over people's lives and that they use that power recklessly for their own personal gain and their own glory.

Who needs form anyway? All we need is engineers anyway, right?

Where do you get this stuff from?

 

[Dave-W]

Where do you get this stuff from?

Good question.

Architects have to have engineering classes to do what they do. I know - there were several architectural students in my mechanical engineering classes. They have some pretty fancy load calculations on some of those oddly shaped buildings they make. Besides the structure itself, there are static and dynamic loadings from the furnishings and people moving around; earthquake movements in the foundation and wind loading (hurricane range winds) all have to be taken into account.

Are you afraid the structures will fail; or do you just not like the styles?

 

[bhsmte]

Good question.

Architects have to have engineering classes to do what they do. I know - there were several architectural students in my mechanical engineering classes. They have some pretty fancy load calculations on some of those oddly shaped buildings they make. Besides the structure itself, there are static and dynamic loadings from the furnishings and people moving around; earthquake movements in the foundation and wind loading (hurricane range winds) all have to be taken into account.

Are you afraid the structures will fail; or do you just not like the styles?

I have a good friend who is an architect and yes, they need to understand engineering in the designs of their buildings/houses, no question.

If an architect signs off on the plans for a building or structure that fails, they are on the hook.

 

[freezerman2000]

No architects?
That would mean none of the neat Frank Loyd Wright houses like this gem..
https://www.google.com/search?q=fal...spv=2&tbm=isch&imgil=hDtvhfk04dTyXM%3A%3BQX6s

 

[jayem]

Structural soundness is necessary, but pleasing aesthetics just makes life better. I could probably live adequately in something like this:

But this would be so much more emotionally satisfying:

(I'm a big fan of mid-century modern architecture, BTW. )

 

[jayem]

No architects?
That would mean none of the neat Frank Loyd Wright houses like this gem..
https://www.google.com/search?q=fallingwater+pennsylvania&stick=H4sIAAAAAAA&biw=1440&bih=799&espv=2&tbm=isch&imgil=hDtvhfk04dTyXM%3A%3BQX6s

My favorite house in the world, and a work of true genius. Designed in 1937, and still looks totally modern today. It's open to the public. If you're ever in the Pittsburgh area, definitely take the tour.

 

[bhsmte]

My favorite house in the world, and a work of true genius. Designed in 1937, and still looks totally modern today. It's open to the public. If you're ever in the Pittsburgh area, definitely take the tour.

I have done the Frank Lloyd Wright tour in Chicago and it is amazing.

Would love to see the falling water house though.

 

[timewerx]

Styles inspire covetousness....

I WANT to HAVE (COVET) the same (expensive) style house!!

1 John 2:16
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.



I want I want I want as long as I have the money to spend.....until there's nothing left for the poor... Money comes from the poor in the first place. We make life harder for the poor and give too much privilege to the rich so that that poverty is NEVER eradicated for the poor people is the #1 source of cheap labor from which lots of profits can be made so you can have a salary and get a comfy house, and a good and happy Christian life...

But things are changing soon. Money will suddenly lose value and you will realize for the first time how it feels to be miserable and no one is there to help you. Just like the poor people you passed by in your brand new SUV...

 

[freezerman2000]

What does this have to do with architects?^^^^or cool houses?

 

[durangodawood]

Structural soundness is necessary, but pleasing aesthetics just makes life better. I could probably live adequately in something like this:

But this would be so much more emotionally satisfying:

(I'm a big fan of mid-century modern architecture, BTW. )

The first was designed by an architect.
And I vastly prefer it to the second.
But thats just me.

 

[durangodawood]

...It is like people think that architects have unjust power over people's lives and that they use that power recklessly for their own personal gain and their own glory....

Examples of this would really help.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

Someone in this wide word has blamed the architecture for 9/11, I have little doubt in my mind. Thousands of people die by the hands of religiously brainwashed individuals and one blames it on a blueprint.

It's human nature to build great things. Look at the ancient and modern wonders of the world- they serve no other purpose then to awe, like that gargantuan Jesus statue hovering over South America.

 

[Sketcher]

Who needs buildings, right? I have my doubts that anyone who would seriously suggest this is aware of the history of architecture.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Who needs buildings, right?...

There can't be buildings without architects?

I have my doubts that anyone who would seriously suggest this is aware of the history of architecture.

Irrelevant.

Nobody said that we do not need buildings.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

...have you noticed the popularity of Apple products?

You mean the ones where the name of almost every product starts with a lower case i?

I would say that that popularity is due to marketing, the cult-like following it has generated, and inflating consumers' egos.

I doubt that aesthetics has much to do with it.

And PCs are often aesthetically appealing themselves.

 

[bhsmte]

There can't be buildings without architects?









Irrelevant.

Nobody said that we do not need buildings.

Where would you recommend contractors get the plans to build buildings?

 

[durangodawood]

Most buildings more significant than a single family house DO need an architect.

 

[LOVEthroughINTELLECT]

Architects have to have engineering classes to do what they do. I know - there were several architectural students in my mechanical engineering classes. They have some pretty fancy load calculations on some of those oddly shaped buildings they make. Besides the structure itself, there are static and dynamic loadings from the furnishings and people moving around; earthquake movements in the foundation and wind loading (hurricane range winds) all have to be taken into account...

Where has anybody said anything to the contrary?

I wish I could study interior design. I know that interior designers have to have knowledge of things like which walls are load-bearing and which are not; ergonomics; etc.

I think that most of the responses in this thread kind of prove the point that I was making. Don't anybody dare question architects or you will be met with condescension, told how ignorant you are, told how much you are indebted to architects and how much your quality of life depends on them, etc.

Are you afraid the structures will fail; or do you just not like the styles?

The issue is the image of the profession/tradition, social attitudes towards it, etc.