After Corbu

Reading Reluctant Metropolis, I discover that the above Disney Concert Hall was originally intended to be clad in stone.  This was later changed to steel as a cost-saving measure.  Hard to imagine the building different than it is now, harder to believe Gehry was actually willing to go with a less space-age look.

This speaks to how different architecture is from any other art.  Even/especially well-funded projects entail compromising the architect’s vision in fundamental ways that’s it’s hard to imagine artists from other mediums accepting.  I mean, would Damien Hirst be talked into cladding a skull in silver?

No.  He wouldn’t.  Because diamonds are forever.  And if no one wants them?  Well then they better not want them for forever too.  Snap.