Against Architecture

by La Cecla, Franco

• ISBN13: 9781604864069
• ISBN10: 1604864060
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-11
• Publisher: PM Press

Summary

With insight into the human side of architecture, this critical assessment displays the shortcomings of modern urban planning as an acclaimed architect issues a passionate charge against the celebrities of the current architectural world: the "archistars." He argues that architecture has lost its way and its true function, as the archistars mold cityscapes to build their brand with no regard for the public good. More than a diatribe against the trade, La Cecla makes a call to rethink urban space and take the cities back from "casino capitalism" that has left a string of failed urban projects, such as the Sagrera of Barcelona and the expansion of Columbia University in New York City. Recounting his travels across the globe, La Cecla provides insights to aid in resisting the planners and to find the spirit of a place. These commentaries on the works of past and present masters of urban and landscape will take an important place in continued public discourse for years to come.

Author Biography

Franco La Cecla is a renowned anthropologist and architect. In 2005 he founded Architecture Social Impact Assessment (ASIA), an agency that evaluates the social impact of architectural and city planning projects. He is currently in production with Radiotelevisione Italiana on a series based on Against Architecture.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. v
Introduction	p. vii
Why I Did Not Become an Architectp1
Trina	p. 45
Banlieue Bleu vs. The Decline of the Arrabal	p. 53
Across Europe	p. 55
The Effects of Ugliness	p. 56
The Suburbs Threaten the Center	p. 58
The Crisis of the Paris Banlieues	p. 60
From France through Europe	p. 62
European Contagion?	p. 64
The Architects' Dream	p. 66
The Grands Ensembles	p. 67
Subtopia West to East, an Ecumenical Embrace	p. 68
Demolition, Future or Present?	p. 69
Immigrants Instead ofWorkers?	p. 71
A Question of Esthetics	p. 73
Crema Catalana	p. 76
Barcelona and La Sagrera	p. 80
Barcelona and Its Residents	p. 82
Our District	p. 84
Architecture Washes Whiter	p. 95
Italian Cities, C & G (Cool & Garbage)	p. 106
Milan-Bangalore Still Cool	p. 110
The New Banks of Happiness	p. 115
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