society

Thought behind the thought: 

Frank Lloyd Wright is considered one of the Gods in the architectural world. His creative genius is mostly unparalleled in the history of modern Architecture. His ideology and high standards are what architects across the globe are trying to achieve. Yet recently I stumbled upon the following piece written about him.

From Architecture magazine, November 1989:

“Leaks are a given in any Wright house. Indeed, the architect has been notorious not only for his leaks but his flippant dismissals of clients’ complaint. He reportedly asserted that, ‘If the roof doesn't leak, the architect hasn't been creative enough.’”

One of his own quotes goes like this, “The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his client to plant vines.” Someone who gave the world such rich architectural wealth is also not spared from slander. Although some of these claims may be true let’s hope the world remembers him by all the remarkable path breaking architecture he created.

About the Art:
Mistakes happen! Some are small others are big, some affect one others affect many. Yet certain mistakes are occurring because we are losing our sense of purpose. Architecture is meant to enhance the human existence. It needs to be created sensitively keeping many things in mind like climate, environment and context. Some architectural blunders have far reaching and deadly repercussions that we have to face.

Vdara Hotel (Las Vegas) 

In 2010 it was reported that this skyscraper could also melt things. Hotel guests experienced the feeling of getting scorched. Incidents of plastic cups being melted at certain times of the day were also reported. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “employees call the phenomenon the ‘Vdara death ray.’ The large glass facade creates a certain area which due to solar radiation is turning hazardous to occupants.

Taipei 101 (Taiwan) 

This tower is said to be as the tallest green building in the world and is supposedly 700,000 tonnes in weight. Although it is regarded for its path breaking earthquake and typhoon mitigation technologies some geologists believe that this building has reopened a fault line in the Taipei basin which in turn is environmentally hazardous.

Museum Tower (Dallas) 

Some websites and magazines have described this building as a giant magnifying glass. The building has an ongoing dispute with Renzo Piano’s Nasher Sculpture Centre nearby. Recently the roof of the Nasher Sculpture Centre had to be covered with screens from the inside to protect exhibits from the glare from Museum Tower

Bridgewater Place (Leeds, UK) 

This is the tallest building in Leeds and has allegedly s caused one death and serious injuries to people due to a powerful wind tunnel that forms around its base. BDOnline reported that after twenty five incidents of this nature the Leeds city council is starting work on a solution.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Finally in conclusion, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a failure that turned out to be one of the most visited and loved monument in the world. Around 1173, when the building was built the third tier of the tower began to tilt due to the clay foundation. Construction was sporadically continued on and off for the next hundred years. It was finally completed 199 years later in 1372. Surviving wars and gently defying gravity the Tower is a beautiful monument. It could be called an icon of human fallibility. It tells us we are human and even the greatest minds can make mistakes.

credits:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/worlds-worst-architecture_n_3921756.html?ir=India

http://www.oddee.com/item_98696.aspx