Saturday, May 3, 2008

Architects Without Borders?

Why isn't there more international movement among architects.  There's such a lot of building going on in places like Shanghai, Mumbai and Dubai.  But much of the design is crap.  At the same time, places like New York seem to be overflowing with talented designers struggling to get work.  Why not go abroad and do projects here?  

Of course, the Rem Koolhaas' and Zaha Hadids of the world have figured this out.  Their biggest projects these days are coming in places like Beijing and the UAE.  But there must be room at the next level down -- the not-quite-starchitects and just-out-of-school designers... Go east young designers.

What sparked this?  Interesting article in the times about a Chinese developer who's brought in 100 up-and-coming young architects to each design a house in his residential development in inner mongolia.  Sounds like a complete clusterfuck. 


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