Architecture

Lisnaholic · 05-05-2020, 07:50 AM

This image turns up on tv a lot lately, and for me the headquarters building of the WHO looks depressing enough of itself, even without their sobering prognostications:

The WHO are obviously busy with other things right now, but I wonder what they were thinking when they signed off on this drab building? The end facade looks like one of those tenement blocks that has airconditioning units hanging out the windows, held in place by each tenant's bit of cheap metalwork.

Worse though, for me, is the way the architect has so followed the orthodoxy of the Modern Movement regarding colour. For decades, architects were indoctrinated with the idea that applied colour was some bourgoise frivolity to be spurned. This became a dangerously popular notion because it saved money and the need to think about incorporating colour into a design. The grim results of that idea still blights most modern cities - and this WHO building, where the colours are limited to what looks like self-finished concrete (=grey) and self-finished aluminium (=grey). Even something whose function is purely ornamental (the vertical fins on the building to the right) just adds, imo, to the overall impression of cheap industrial tat.

(*steps down from soapbox and vows to drink less coffee in the mornings*)

OccultHawk · 05-05-2020, 08:18 AM

lol

That building definitely has a stfu and get the **** to work vibe going but I’m not so sure I object to that.

Very interesting post though. I never would’ve even thought about it.

I’m not particularly opinionated about archeticture or interior design but sometimes inside modern hospitals it feels like they’re going for an optimistic vibe and being an endlessly cynical c unt I’m usually thinking oh ffs stop fronting ain’t nobody happy to be here.

Plankton · 05-05-2020, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

This image turns up on tv a lot lately, and for me the headquarters building of the WHO looks depressing enough of itself, even without their sobering prognostications:

The WHO are obviously busy with other things right now, but I wonder what they were thinking when they signed off on this drab building? The end facade looks like one of those tenement blocks that has airconditioning units hanging out the windows, held in place by each tenant's bit of cheap metalwork.

Worse though, for me, is the way the architect has so followed the orthodoxy of the Modern Movement regarding colour. For decades, architects were indoctrinated with the idea that applied colour was some bourgoise frivolity to be spurned. This became a dangerously popular notion because it saved money and the need to think about incorporating colour into a design. The grim results of that idea still blights most modern cities - and this WHO building, where the colours are limited to what looks like self-finished concrete (=grey) and self-finished aluminium (=grey). Even something whose function is purely ornamental (the vertical fins on the building to the right) just adds, imo, to the overall impression of cheap industrial tat.

(*steps down from soapbox and vows to drink less coffee in the mornings*)

Someone else out there agrees:

https://www.who.int/about/structure/...adquarters.pdf

Lisnaholic · 05-08-2020, 09:57 AM

That's interesting Plankton, and yes, OH it's true that enforced civic cheerfulness is its own kind of ghastly too.

Perhaps I shouldn't be quite so hard on architects avoiding colour - it's easy to go ott:-

DwnWthVwls · 05-08-2020, 12:29 PM

The Batlord · 05-08-2020, 01:57 PM

It looks ridiculous but I kinda dig it anyway. And it's got a deck with a ****ing spiral staircase.

Plankton · 05-09-2020, 04:44 AM

That's made from 1 40' and 1 20' High Cube containers. That's approximately 640 square feet of living space, not including the exterior first floor deck. That's tight.

DwnWthVwls · 05-09-2020, 05:40 AM

What do you need besides a computer area, bed, kitchen, and bathroom? Id be content, im not a big fan of "stuff" unless its plants or books.

Plankton · 05-09-2020, 05:53 AM

I need a ball room. Room for my balls.

DwnWthVwls · 05-09-2020, 06:15 AM

and im sure your frisbees need their own room.

05-05-2020, 07:50 AM	#301 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	This image turns up on tv a lot lately, and for me the headquarters building of the WHO looks depressing enough of itself, even without their sobering prognostications: The WHO are obviously busy with other things right now, but I wonder what they were thinking when they signed off on this drab building? The end facade looks like one of those tenement blocks that has airconditioning units hanging out the windows, held in place by each tenant's bit of cheap metalwork. Worse though, for me, is the way the architect has so followed the orthodoxy of the Modern Movement regarding colour. For decades, architects were indoctrinated with the idea that applied colour was some bourgoise frivolity to be spurned. This became a dangerously popular notion because it saved money and the need to think about incorporating colour into a design. The grim results of that idea still blights most modern cities - and this WHO building, where the colours are limited to what looks like self-finished concrete (=grey) and self-finished aluminium (=grey). Even something whose function is purely ornamental (the vertical fins on the building to the right) just adds, imo, to the overall impression of cheap industrial tat. (steps down from soapbox and vows to drink less coffee in the mornings) __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

05-05-2020, 08:18 AM	#302 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	lol That building definitely has a stfu and get the **** to work vibe going but I’m not so sure I object to that. Very interesting post though. I never would’ve even thought about it. I’m not particularly opinionated about archeticture or interior design but sometimes inside modern hospitals it feels like they’re going for an optimistic vibe and being an endlessly cynical c unt I’m usually thinking oh ffs stop fronting ain’t nobody happy to be here. __________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html

05-08-2020, 09:57 AM	#304 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	That's interesting Plankton, and yes, OH it's true that enforced civic cheerfulness is its own kind of ghastly too. Perhaps I shouldn't be quite so hard on architects avoiding colour - it's easy to go ott:- __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

05-09-2020, 04:44 AM	#307 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	That's made from 1 40' and 1 20' High Cube containers. That's approximately 640 square feet of living space, not including the exterior first floor deck. That's tight. __________________ See location...

05-09-2020, 05:53 AM	#309 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	I need a ball room. Room for my balls. __________________ See location...