One of the most influential branches of architecture in the last 15 years is "blobitecture," which produces futuristic (often blob-like) forms using cutting edge technology. One of its patrons, Jan Kaplický just passed. Before founding his own firm, Future Systems, Kaplický collaborated with Norman Foster and Richard Rogers. Those two eventually outshone him, but Kaplický set the stage for what came after, relentlessly arguing for organic-inspired architecture. Perhaps the greatest building done by Future Systems was the Selfridges department store in Birmingham England:
But Future Systems didn't build much—in fact, the firm just lost a competition in London to Foster. But they inspired a generation of buildings, such as the Kunzthaus Graz, a contemporary art museum, by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier:
Kaplický also defined an entire generation of architects, and TED has just posted a video of one architect, Greg Lynn, explaining his thought process. You might have heard of Lynn—he recently designed a so-called "blob-wall" made of interlocking amoeba-like shapes, which was on view last summer in LA:
Related Stories: | Topics:Innovation, Technology, Design, Jan Kaplický, Future Systems, Blob Architecture, Norman Foster, London, Richard Rogers, Birmingham, Peter Cook |
Email
Digg
StumbleUpon
Facebook
Buzz Up!
LinkedIn
Recent Comments | 2 Total
January 15, 2009 at 10:45pm by John Massengale
1) This is a "great building" because ... ?
2) Patrons are people who pay for things. Kaplicky was not a "patron" of blobitecture.
January 15, 2009 at 10:45pm by Cliff Kuang
Merriam Webster:
Patron:
1 a: a person chosen, named, or honored as a special guardian, protector, or supporter b: a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer c: a social or financial sponsor of a social function (as a ball or concert)
2: one that uses wealth or influence to help an individual, an institution, or a cause