The debate on Vancouver’s lack of iconic architecture does seem to be heating up. Good timing, then, by The Tyee, the online magazine, for its interview with New Urbanist Andres Duany. Here’s a quote:
The problem with architects who treat cities like modern art galleries:
“You cannot make a city with avant-gardist architects, because an avant-gardist architect is continually trying to do something new, and to stand out. The problem is that modern architecture at this moment — avant-gardism — is expressionist. It’s all about shapes and spikes and articulation, materials, and elbowing away things, and you can’t make a city out of it. You can make some great buildings: avant-garde architects are really good these days, no question. But you can’t make a city.”
Read the whole piece here.
