In a recent essay for the forthcoming book Getting There: A Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal, Frank Gehry reminisced about his childhood in Canada. “My family was one of approximately 30 Jewish families in our town—Timmins, Ontario—and for a while, I was the only Jewish kid at my school. I used to get beat up regularly for ‘killing Christ.’”
Perhaps that’s why he has such a thick skin today when dealing with critics and internet commenters.
Gehry also talks about how his shrink and mentor, Milton Wexler, helped him combat criticism from peers in his early career: “Screw them! There aren’t any rules. Just because they did it that way last week doesn’t mean you have to do it that way today.”
So did his therapist also advise young Gehry, when in doubt, and if words won’t suffice, just flip the bird to a meddlesome critic?
Entering The Architect's Newspaper (AN)'s Best of Design Awards this year? Prospective winners should know that in addition to being featured in the December issue of The Architect's Newspaper, up for grabs will be a prize designed by Alvin Huang. Founder and design principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture and an assistant professor at the USC School of Architecture, Huang and his team have been working hard to design the award that will be fabricated by 3D printing studio, Formlabs. "We wanted to create an intricate, detailed form—something that would be impossible to do without a 3D printer," Huang told AN. To produce the design, Formlabs will be using transparent resin that allows the design's inner complexities to be clearly legible. As part of his design process, Huang devised numerous iterations. "Parametric modeling makes everything smoother," continued Huang. Using modeling software such as Rhino and Grasshopper, Huang spoke of how designs were created in "line format." This technique went hand-in-hand with the parametric approach where variables such as line weight are easily adjusted to drastically alter the design's form. Huang was also pleased to work with Formlabs, who will be producing the physical award. The studio's high-resolution 3D printers made Huang's design, in his words, "easy to achieve" and "smoothed out the processing of the designs." Huang and Synthesis Design are still working on a final design, having produced a plethora of complex prototypes. For those who want to get their hands on the esteemed Best of Design award, there is still time to enter. You can do so by following this link and submitting your design. There are 26 categories for professionals and students. And don't delay—submissions end today!
The Architect's Newspaper is thrilled to announce its 3rd Annual Best of Design Awards. It’s a unique opportunity to showcase your great buildings, building elements, and other architectural-based categories that are not covered by other competitions. This year, AN's Best of Design Awards has expanded to include 18 categories. Here are just a few of the new additions to this year’s categories: Building of the Year Since AN publishes four regional editions—East, West, Midwest, and Southwest, we’re seeking the best new building in each of these regions. Architectural Models Whichever form is your favorite—virtual or analog, interior or exterior, landscaping or urban— show the world how you build, just at a smaller scale. Your model does not need to have come to fruition. All scaled architecture types are eligible. Temporary Installation Whether your installation is a site-specific exhibition or it created an entirely new site, enter your work that showcases materials, techniques and invention. Urban Design Built or unbuilt, enter your design plans that focus on groupings of buildings, street and public spaces to create a more sustainable and functional neighborhood or city. Young Architects Award Emerging architects or firms often have the talent but don’t always get the glory. This category seeks to celebrate the work of young practices (10 years or less) or professionals (35 years or less). All project types are eligible. Competition entrants will be judged by a jury that includes Craig Dykers, founding partner of Snøhetta; Julio Braga, principal of IA Interior Architects; and Ana Garcia Puyol, computational designer at Thornton Tomasetti and winner in the student built work category of last year's Best of Design Awards. For each category winner and honorable mentions, the jury will be looking at a project’s strength of presentation, evidence of innovation, creative use of new technology, sustainability, and, most importantly, good design. Registration is open through October 9th and the submission deadline is November 2nd. Much more information about the competition, including past years’ winners, see the Best of Design Awards site.
AN has extended the registration deadline for the second annual Best of Design Awards. You can register for no additional fee until November 14. Latecomers can register for an additional fee from November 15 to November 25. Learn about our expanded categories and meet the distinguished jury. Enter today!