All Debate articles – Page 14
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OpinionCan the public be trusted to choose the best architecture?
Yes, if it means it suits the purpose, says Grand Designs producer Charlie Bunce, but George Ferguson fears it sees too little of the whole concept to judge
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OpinionShould the government speed up school rebuilding?
Yes, it will help us all, says BDP director Gavin Elliott; but Matt Bell, Cabe director of campaigns and education, fears that it would jeopardise quality
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OpinionCan Accordia really be a blueprint for housing?
Yes, says Keith Bradley one of the Stirling-Prize-winning development’s architects; but Alan Cherry, of the scheme’s developer Countryside Properties, disagrees
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Opinion
Is the UK’s house-building model bust beyond repair?
Yes, says Tim Williams, the model was not producing enough homes even before the credit crunch; while John Slaughter argues that it was on a trajectory to deliver more
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OpinionWas Boris wrong to axe the Parliament Square scheme?
Yes, says Lib Dem peer Sally Hamwee, the revamp of Trafalgar Square shows what could be done with Parliament Square; no, says mayoral adviser Kulveer Ranger, the Hawkins Brown-led scheme was too costly and would have been an act of heritage vandalism
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Opinion
Does architecture operate like an old boys’ club?
Of course — look at the figures, says Dennis Sharp partner Yasmin Shariff, but Marks Barfield director Frank Anatole believes things are changing
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OpinionShould architects be proud of the British Pavilion?
Yes, says John Tuomey, it is a serious show that considers the architect’s place in society; while Nigel Coates argues that by ignoring the brief, it is a missed opportunity
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OpinionDoes traditional architecture still have a place in Britain?
Yes, it’s sustainable and a pleasure to draw, says Francis Terry; while Ian Wroot argues that we cannot return to simpler times
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OpinionAre architecture schools turning into factory farms?
The uniform teaching programme of many schools will create “tasteless chickens”, says Tim Ronalds; while Richard Hayward argues that schools remain almost entirely free-range
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OpinionShould Saarinen’s American Embassy building be listed?
Yes, says Docomomo’s Dennis Sharp, it’s well scaled and well weathered; no, says Westminster’s Robert Davis, it’s a mess inside, mediocre on the outside, and not historically important
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OpinionShould architects ever offer to work for free?
Yes, it’s a long term investment, says Ben Addy of Moxon, but Ian Simpson believes it makes no business sense
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OpinionAre architecture students facing a fragile jobs market?
Yes, says Portsmouth School of Architecture’s Pam Cole, we’re heading out of the comfort zone of the past few years; no, says Flacq director Marcus Lee, it’s just a question of persistence
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OpinionShould Britain’s planning services be privatised?
Yes, says Brian Waters of the Association of Consultant Architects, to give planning an injection of resources and vision; no, says Phil Kirby of the Planning Officers’ Society, who wants planning services to remain accountable to local communities
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OpinionDo we care who wins this year’s Stirling Prize?
Of course, it’s important, says double winner and Wilkinson Eyre director Chris Wilkinson, but Mantownhuman’s Alistair Donald laments the conformism the prize represents
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OpinionShould the Skylon be rebuilt 60 years after the original?
Yes, it was an important and beautiful icon says Jack Pringle, but writer and blogger Owen Hatherley says the politics are all wrong
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OpinionIs BSF transforming the standard of school design?
Yes, if education authorities have vision, says Robert Firth; not while delivery is through the private sector, counters Dominic Cullinan
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OpinionWas Prince Charles right — is modern architecture still all stumps and carbuncles?
Most buildings are the creation of talentless people just doing their jobs, says Roger Scruton; but Alain de Botton warns of succumbing to kitsch nostalgia
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OpinionIs Boris Johnson right to bring back Parker Morris standards?
Yes, because we need a proper debate on space, says English Partnerships director of policy Steve Carr, but Andrew Whitaker, head of planning at the Home Builders Federation believes modern demands need different solutions
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OpinionCan architects be trusted to design bus shelters?
This challenging brief demands the best, says Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic, but Lorraine Gamman says industrial designers may be better suited to the job
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OpinionIs The Public arts centre a waste of public money?
It’s not what West Bromwich needs and it’s not going to kickstart regeneration, says Tony Ward; while Sally Luton argues that it will provide a centre for innovation and creative expression