"Looks like the unwanted child of Villa Savoye and a trailer" says commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing the imminent demolition of a house designed by David Adjaye.

A home designed by Adjaye as part of the Make It Right Foundation's contribution to rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is reportedly "in imminent danger of collapse" and is set to be demolished.

The house is one of 109 that were built by non-profit developer Make It Right Foundation, which was set up by actor Brad Pitt to rehouse people.

The property was issued with a Notice of Emergency Demolition on the 30 September.

"Made It Wrong"

Readers aren't surprised. "Actor/activist/wannabe architect decides to pick one of the most difficult places in the US to bring a bunch of fancy-pants architects who have never worked in the region to build a vanity project. This comes as no surprise," said JZ.

"Made It Wrong," joked Chris.

"It looks like the unwanted child of Villa Savoye and a trailer," continued Zea Newland. "They probably value-engineered the life out of Adjaye's original design but honestly even with this being a charitable endeavour, you have to do it properly or not at all."

"Not a huge fan of Adjaye, but it's just a headline grab to blame him," concluded Heywood Floyd. "His office probably dashed off at most a light DD package, dimensioned plans, a finish schedule, etc. The local architect and contractors are really the ones at fault. All Adjaye did was lend his name to a cause that looked good on paper."

Was the Make It Right Foundation house doomed? Join the discussion ›

"Are sharks architecture?" asks commenter

The conflict between the Architecture Foundation-backed Antepavilions and the local council has exposed the tension between architects and the planners they should cherish, says Joseph Henry. Commenters disagree though.

"Planning has a very important role to play," said Sullmayer. "However a lot of power is given to, at times, transient or comparatively inexperienced planners. In its current form, the system allows for too much subjective micromanaging and appears to favour the mediocre over good design."

"I agree with most of the responses to this very biased article," added John Kellett. "If the sharks are floating in the canal what jurisdiction do the planners have? They are not buildings."

JB agreed: "Are sharks architecture? I know my answer. If your answer is more than one word long I hope you are not in charge of anything."

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"The best béton brut reincarnation I have seen in a while" says reader

Commenters are impressed by a concrete coffee factory and offices in Tbilisi, Georgia, which local studio Giorgi Khmaladze Architects topped with a green roof.

"Great!" said Karol B. "The best béton brut reincarnation I have seen in a while. The interiors with plants and slopes are exciting as well."

Puzzello agreed: "Great structure at all scales and vantage points, a poetic work, cracks and all. I have seen a lot of forms in concrete but never a facade like this."

"The exterior is well crafted," continued Heywood Floyd. "But kind of a one liner for me. The interiors I think are fantastic. The spatial sequence, level changes and the layers of glass for the courtyard and office fronts create a really interesting amount of complexity."

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"The pool area looks like a torture chamber" says reader

Commenters aren't sold on a residential project designed by David Adjaye in London's King's Cross, which has recently come on the market.

"Everything looks nice except for the pool area," said Apsco Radiales. "Looks like a flooded subway station!"

Yousif El Helw was also unsure: "The pool area looks like a torture chamber."

"This place would be interesting for a visit," concluded Alfred Hitchcock. "But who on earth would want to permanently live in a nightclub? Nice photos, but utterly dreadful as a home."

Are readers being harsh about Lost House? Join the discussion ›