Remarks from the Fray:
There's a reason that no other airport in the world is even remotely similar to Dulles. Dulles blows. The entire system of moving a passenger from ticket booth to terminal to plain is completely inefficient.
I'll admit that the main terminal looks cool. And the weird buses they use to move from terminal to terminal were probably cool to people several decades ago. (Today they look like a throwback to a bad 1970s sci-fi movie like Westworld.) But architecture is supposed to be more than just interesting to look at. It is supposed to order a space in which people carry out their day-to-day lives. An airport is a perfect example. When I go to an airport, looking at the architecture might be an interesting way to pass the time. But other tasks ultimately take priority--such as finding the bathroom (difficult at Dulles), getting to my gate (time consuming at Dulles), or getting through security (god forbid you should do this during peak travel times because it's a f***ing nightmare). In short, the lack of concern for function at Dulles creates needless problems and extends the amount of time that it takes to get on your plane.
That is ultimately Saarinen's problem. A lack of respect for function in architecture. Even symphony halls and theaters, which tend to be more artistically designed than other buildings, are designed with supreme respect for the demands of good acoustics within a functional performing space. Sometimes Saarinen can get away with it. The St. Louis Gateway Arch is quite nice. But as a monument, its form is its function. The same cannot be said of the TWA terminal, which is just plain weird if you ask me.
--robot-rock
(To reply, click here.)
I just have to respond to Rybczynski's comment that "the inflexible single rooms, basement common rooms, and rather austere architecture of Morse and Stiles have never been popular with Yale students." This couldn't be farther from the truth! Whether or not Morse and Stiles were the most desirable living spaces after their construction (they were - students of the '60s wanted singles), and whether or not they are popular among non-Morsels and Stilesians (they aren't - those other kids don't know what they're missing), Rybczynski misjudges the appeal of the single room. Who wouldn't want a spacious single with a beautiful built-in desk and walk-in closet? We Morsels may not all agree our college is beautiful on the outside - but the desks and closets sure treat us well, and the "inflexible" single rooms are always the most sought-after housing.
It must be said, in response to Rybczynski, that when the architects in charge of renovating Morse proposed changing those inflexible single rooms, uprooting their desks and closets and shoving students into doubles to make single-room-sized common rooms, a whole crowd of fellows, alumni, and students protested the plans. The proposed renovations will go forward, and some changes I'm sure will be for the better - but overall, I and many others wish the architects would leave this under-appreciated Saarineen creation alone.
--ms72
(To reply, click here.)
(6/11)
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Remarks from the Fray:
There's a reason that no other airport in the world is even remotely similar to Dulles. Dulles blows. The entire system of moving a passenger from ticket booth to terminal to plain is completely inefficient.
I'll admit that the main terminal looks cool. And the weird buses they use to move from terminal to terminal were probably cool to people several decades ago. (Today they look like a throwback to a bad 1970s sci-fi movie like Westworld.) But architecture is supposed to be more than just interesting to look at. It is supposed to order a space in which people carry out their day-to-day lives. An airport is a perfect example. When I go to an airport, looking at the architecture might be an interesting way to pass the time. But other tasks ultimately take priority--such as finding the bathroom (difficult at Dulles), getting to my gate (time consuming at Dulles), or getting through security (god forbid you should do this during peak travel times because it's a f***ing nightmare). In short, the lack of concern for function at Dulles creates needless problems and extends the amount of time that it takes to get on your plane.
That is ultimately Saarinen's problem. A lack of respect for function in architecture. Even symphony halls and theaters, which tend to be more artistically designed than other buildings, are designed with supreme respect for the demands of good acoustics within a functional performing space. Sometimes Saarinen can get away with it. The St. Louis Gateway Arch is quite nice. But as a monument, its form is its function. The same cannot be said of the TWA terminal, which is just plain weird if you ask me.
--robot-rock
(To reply, click here.)
I just have to respond to Rybczynski's comment that "the inflexible single rooms, basement common rooms, and rather austere architecture of Morse and Stiles have never been popular with Yale students." This couldn't be farther from the truth! Whether or not Morse and Stiles were the most desirable living spaces after their construction (they were - students of the '60s wanted singles), and whether or not they are popular among non-Morsels and Stilesians (they aren't - those other kids don't know what they're missing), Rybczynski misjudges the appeal of the single room. Who wouldn't want a spacious single with a beautiful built-in desk and walk-in closet? We Morsels may not all agree our college is beautiful on the outside - but the desks and closets sure treat us well, and the "inflexible" single rooms are always the most sought-after housing.
It must be said, in response to Rybczynski, that when the architects in charge of renovating Morse proposed changing those inflexible single rooms, uprooting their desks and closets and shoving students into doubles to make single-room-sized common rooms, a whole crowd of fellows, alumni, and students protested the plans. The proposed renovations will go forward, and some changes I'm sure will be for the better - but overall, I and many others wish the architects would leave this under-appreciated Saarineen creation alone.
--ms72
(To reply, click here.)
(6/11)