elucidator: I disagree. Frank Gehry was told to NOT design yet another concrete box, and the Weisman is as un-box like as one can get. It’s a great building, as is the Gehry-designed “Fred and Ginger” building in Prague and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.
the fort: I’m sure your little friend’s houses are just fine. Imagine, however, what the reaction here would be if your other little friend’s website was readable, functionable, usable, and had pictures that actually showed what the houses looked like. Sorry, but tiny tiny pink font on a red background? A little two inch pictures that could just as easily be a prettily painted ladder (I’d link you, but do to the poor site design I’m unable. I clicked one thing and clicked a moving picture - that help you any?)? If the architect wished to show off his designs he couldn’t have chosen a poorer format if he’d had a monkey design the site.
Bob Scene, Pesch, Friedo, Cornflake, Zap Rowsdower, Elenfair, elucidator, Muffin and especially Road Rash, it appears the lot of you misread the door on the way in. This is a fight against ignorance, not the display and promotion of. However, out of respect for the aesthetically challenged and the simpleton minded who are here searching for the cure to their ignorance, I recommend subcribing to any of the following:
GA, JA, el croquis, l’ architecture d’ aujourd d’ hui, A+U or for the true beginner Dwell.
It is unfortunate that so few value the dicipline of architecture.
It is fitting that those who misunderstand it’s nature never realize the benefits of living inside something built as meticulously as the structures referenced here. Just like every other artist in Austin, MJ Neal is an undervalued Austin treasure and in this case like most others inappropriatley maligned. For those who wish to bash Mister Neal, would you please post pics of your dwellings or designs you would like to see built. No one is interested in something you didn’t do, so please spare us anymore of your empty blather. To Mister Neal, I say on behalf of all those who love art and design in Austin, keep on keeping on. I know you know these simpletons don’t have a clue, however they certainly are good getting the word out. You’ve got my business.
So we have yet another poster who has signed on only for the purpose of defending Mr. Neal. Word gets around. I do apologize for displaying the ignorant website that displays Mr. Neal’s work. But fighting ignorance sometimes means displaying it.
…**
[/QUOTE]
*Originally posted by BigMingus *
It is unfortunate that so few value the dicipline of architecture.
It is fitting that those who misunderstand it’s nature never realize the benefits of living inside something built as meticulously as the structures referenced here.
**
[/QUOTE]
Maybe if the website displayed the architecture in a positive light I may have a different opinion. The only interior shots I saw is a stairway here, a window panel there. There is no front shot of the “borg” house. No backyard shot. I have based my thoughts on the exterior shots. Which shows the giant mainframe house from an ariel shot a few blocks away. From the outside, it looks like someone from Dell Computer built it. I value the discipline of architecture, but if the architect has no clothes I am not going to pretend he does just so I can appear “hip” to aesthetics.
QUOTE]*Originally posted by BigMingus *
" Just like every other artist in Austin, MJ Neal is an undervalued Austin treasure and in this case like most others inappropriatley maligned."
Undervalued? Does that mean he is having trouble selling his works? I have heard that the original asking price of one of his houses was $1,000,000, but it is down to under $700,000. Every other artist?
QUOTE]*Originally posted by BigMingus *
To Mister Neal, I say on behalf of all those who love art and design in Austin, keep on keeping on. I know you know these simpletons don’t have a clue, however they certainly are good getting the word out. You’ve got my business. **
[/QUOTE]
I originally made the accusation that MJ Neal was an arrogant fuck. I have never met the man, so I apologize. I have read one “aesthetically challenged,” and two “simpletons.” These are two things that arrogant fucks really love to say.
The only thing I have to say is that the architect’s site is a freekin’ disaster, and if he thought that was a good way to present himself to the public, his judgement is immediately in question.
Time to build a new site, one that doesn’t piss-off potential clients.
**
Oh ok, I did not realize not liking an “artists” work made me ingnorant, thank you for pointing out the error of my ways.
**
**
OK, since I am not an architect I am not allowed to have an opinion on someone elses work. I guess that means I cannot criticize a movie because of weak stories, characters ect. because I am not a moviemaker. Also, since I am not a politician, I should not be critical of government. Jeez where do I think I am, America.**
Sorry pal, just because I don’t drop my pants and masturbate because an alleged “artist” tells me something is
does not invalidate my opinion. I enjoy good architecture that improves the visual quality of and fits into a neighborhood. Not an attention-getting monstrosity that is thrown into community without consideration to the “look” and history of that community. Thats all this appears to be, just a cry for attention. “Hey look, I’m an architect and look what I did!”
And by the way, I will add that it takes a true arrogant fuck to immediately insult others who do not agree with his/her notions of what is aesthetically pleasing and what is not.
however…
But you don’t have to be so damn pretentious about the whole thing.
Your listing of (pretty much) trade magazines (in that I am certain the majority of their subscribers are architects) and down grading of Dwell, among other things, make you come off pretty arrogant.
Since you ask of posters here to submit photos of their work could you please submit your relation to (as you refer to him) Mister Neil?
Also, since they are not allowed to comment on architecture without submitting a portfolio, neither should you.
One of the major things that has turned me off to architecture is the fact that it is inundated by embittered arrogant bullies. The famous Corb saying “Eyes which do not see” is often spouted off by architects in reference to ‘the little people who don’t get it’ but ironically, it is just as applicable to those who say it.
and don’t act so surprised that Austin doesn’t ‘treasure’ its artists. A big tip off should have been the fact that it’s a major city without an art museum (and no, I don’t consider Lagoona Gloria a museum of high caliber).
Zap Rowsdower wrong again. The reason that your opinion is irrelevant is because you have never set foot in the spaces you are so critical of. Your references to the “look” and history of that community mean what? I would love to learn the “look” of 78704. Who created it? Where did it come from? When did it start? How could I comment on your notions of aesthetics when you have exhibited none? Your perceptions are invalid because you have none to speak of. Your sentiments do not matter when you attack someone you have never met based on something you have never experienced. Castigating and bashing people you have never known is sport for you I know, however it is an outward sign of your lack of fulfillment with your own life. Perhaps it is the public education system in Houston that has let you down. Whatever the reason, grow up and leave architecture to those who have the decency to read the novel before they rape the writer.
No pal of yours, auf Wiedersehen
Well then count me in the “unwashed heathen” camp that considers his works to be eastern-bloc-looking hemorrhoids on the ass of Texas. If I were him, I’d redo the portfolio as every person here that’s seen it has come to the same erroneous(?) conclusion that it looks like utter shite and, as you claimm, it is a misrepresentation of the quality of his work.
I don’t recall anyone having a critical opinion of the INSIDE of these spaces. I recall everyone having a critical opinion of the OUTSIDE of the spaces. The fact that you don’t seem to acknowledge this distinction speaks volumes to me about the outward appearances of these spaces.
God, what an ugly fucking website. It displays Neal’s work to the least possible advantage, in the worst possible light, and with the lowest possible level of efficiency. If the method he approved (click on any one of the moving, indistinguishable thumbnails to see a close-up of unflattering, eye-watering, badly-chosen images) in any way reflects his overall design aesthetic, then yes, he’s wildly out of touch with reality.
Plus, your effete, black-plastic glasses framed huffery doesn’t take into account the fact that the photography on the site is undistinguished and mediocre, and there is not one goddamned thing on there that even remotely makes me think, “Wow, I’d like to experience this firsthand.” It does, however, make me think, “utterly unliveable, and I bet Neal would stroke out and die if he knew I was going to hang my Miles Davis poster right in the middle of his artistically blank expanse of wall.”
Have either of you jokers ever stopped to consider that the fort’s well-written, analytical praise of Neal’s work (see first page) would be better placed on that hideous carbuncle of a website? If people could actually read the high points in a logical, well-designed manner, why then, it wouldn’t surprise me if the material got a better reception!
Design does matter, folks, but then, I wouldn’t expect to have to tell an architect that.
First of all, learn to read, I commented on the outside appearance of what I have seen, I never mentioned the inside.**
By look and history I am refering to what is already there, how and why it developed, how and why it fits its environment, cultural influences, basic things that in my opinion are ignored in a lot of architecture these days.
And you have not demonstrated that your perceptions are any more valid. Where are the examples of your work, your background. Back up or shut up.
**
I never attacked anyone, I only stated that I did not like their style of buildings. Maybe you should get your eyes checked, you are reading much that is not there.**
The irony of this sentence is so painfully obvioius I do not think I need comment.**
I was thinking the same about whatever educational system you were in, your comprehension skills need much work. Also you do not know anything about me or the quality of my life at the moment, so let me suggest you SHUT THE FUCK UP My god, you are such an elitist, arrogant jerk.
[heavy sarcasm] OOOHHHHH NNNOOOOO, I am not a pal of yours, I am heart broken. Because the rest of my life is sooo pathetic I think I will just end it all…oh dear oh dear, the pain the pain.[/heavy sarcasm]:wally
The asking price of 613 W. Live Oak is $475,000 and it’s a steal, if you ask me.
MJ’s web site has been featured on Apple’s website and it has been praised all over the place. I told him about this board and the some comments on it… he said exactly what one of the posters said: You put your work out there and anyone is entitled to their opinion… He did say that new pictures of ramp house and twin peaks that will include exteriors will be added to the web site now that the houses are finished… What you see are construction pictures…
BTW, the shot of the ramp house from afar is taken from the 3rd floor of twin peaks, ramp House is not as tall as it looks on that picture and it’s set to the back of the lot , so it doesn’t stand out until you’re smack in front of it… Do go to the open house in the fall if you can. the interior of that house is unique and a book lover’s dream…
Big Mingus, he didn’t seem upset about the criticism, he gets so much praise anyway, that it’s only fair that it balances out somewhere. I have to insist on his character, though. He truly is a nice person that welcomes sincere criticism, positive or negative. He loves to discuss architecture with anyone.
Well, I happen to live in Austin, and at times I actually lived near the property in question - once on Nickerson and once on Live Oak. So I thught I’d drive down to South Austin and see for myself just what we’re talking about.
First the good news. Mr. Neal’s designs are actually very creative. From what I could see there were surprises at every turn, and I can easily see how his designs could win international prizes.
Now the bad news. The buildings are completely, totally, absolutely incompatible with the neighborhood. That part of South Austin is made up of modest one story houses built around WWII, or so I would guess based on my limited knowledge of architectural styles. So as you are driving down this pleasant, unasumming neighborhood you are suddenly confronted with these two-story, modernistic, glass and concrete creations. The effect is jarring to say the least.
Since it’s not my neighborhood, maybe I shouldn’t be commenting on whether or not it fits in. Fortunately while I was there a neighbor came outside, so I asked her what she thought of the buildings. She didn’t seem to want to directly address the question so she talked around it for a few minutes all the while shaking her head. Finally she just said “I’m sorry, but I just don’t like it.”
I think these kinds of designs would work quite well as offices somewhere else, but as homes, and particularly as homes in this neighborhood, they are disasters.
There is nothing that can be done about the buildings now, but I am hoping that Mr. Neal and others can learn something from all of this. I’m sure I don’t know nearly as much about architecture as Mr. Neal, the fort, BigMingus and others, but I do know that one of the basic principles of architecture is to design with the surroundings in mind. This was not done, so I’m afraid it’s back to school with the lot of you.