Comments update: crowdfunded architectural projects led the agenda this week following Bjarke Ingels' decision to place his firm's smoke-ring-blowing chimney project on Kickstarter. Read on for more on this and explore our comments page to keep up to date with the latest discussions.
Blowing smoke: BIG has become the latest firm to launch a crowdfunding campaign for an architecture project, following on the heels of an underground park in New York and a pedestrian bridge in Rotterdam. But not everyone was convinced the firm needed the money.
"Kickstarter is made for emergent designers to help them come to the market," said Tim. "Why couldn't BIG afford its prototype?"
"Is it only for the free publicity?" asked one commenter.
Other readers thought that crowdfunding could play an important role in the development of large public-realm projects.
"It's economic democracy in action," wrote James. "Yes it serves to generate publicity, but it also indicates whether people want it in the first place." Read the comments on this story »
Carbuncular? New York practice John Puttick Associates won the competition to overhaul the Brutalist and Grade-II listed Preston Bus Station with a design that features a rooftop football pitch. The decision made many readers furious.
"A monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend," said one commenter referencing Prince Charles' famous quote, while Ashely described the winning design as "generic".
"I can't help feeling that this should have been given to a more local practice," added John McGrath. "New York and Preston are almost different planets."
"I guess they are trying to fight Brutalism with blandness," concluded Daniel. Read the comments on this story »
Tokyo tussle: Richard Rogers accused Japan of "losing its nerve" following the country's controversial decision to scrap Zaha Hadid's Olympic stadium for Tokyo. Not everyone agreed.
"Actually, the decision recovered Japan's credibility," said regular commenter Concerned Citizen.
"The Japanese have their own, more than capable, architects," added Spadestick, while Francisco Orozco also expressed support for the decision.
"It is unfortunate that Japan has chosen to abandoned Zaha Hadid's design," countered Jerry Vanslambrouck. "It is a beautiful building, and in this day of international architectural commissions would have made a significant addition to architecture in Japan." Read the comments on this story »
Veni, Vidi, Venturi: The latest building study in our summer-long series on Postmodernism renewed discussion among readers about the aesthetics of the controversial movement.
Vanna Venturi House is now credited as the first Postmodern building, but not everyone is a fan of the iconic building.
"That house always jarred my aesthetic core," wrote one guest commenter.
Other readers pointed out that Postmodern architectural design wasn't just about looks.
"A superb example of ripping up the rule book," wrote Faye. "I love this house not because of how it looks to a contemporary audience, but because it represents much-needed experimentalism." Read the comments on this story »