Keturios sienos ir stogas: sudėtinga paprastos profesijos prigimtis

by Reinier de Graaf, Mantė Zagurskytė-Tamulevičienė (translator)

Pasaulinį pripažinimą pelnęs olandų architektas, „Office for Metropolitan Architecture“ (OMA) partneris Reinieras de Graafas savo 44-iose esė leidžia pažvelgti, ką iš tiesų reiškia būti architektu šiuolaikiniame pasaulyje. Ko neišmoko studijos, kodėl, kalbant apie architektūrą, negalima nekalbėti apie politiką ir su kokiu galvos skausmu susiduria architektai, kad ir kur imtųsi darbo: Londone ar Dubajuje, Berlyne ar Atlantoje?

Kvestionuodamas mitus apie architektus bei architektūrą, kritiškai apmąstydamas idealistines XX a. modernizmo teorijas, atkreipdamas dėmesį į procesus ir asmenybes, dažnai liekančias istorijos paraštėse, šioje knygoje de Graafas – talentingas architektas – atsiskleidžia ir kaip ne ką mažiau talentingas eseistas. Nesistengdamas niekam įtikti, de Graafas rašo atvirai ir drąsiai. Prajuokindamas, papiktindamas, kviesdamas polemizuoti, o kartais, regis, nustebindamas ir save patį: kokia vis dėlto sudėtinga paprastos profesijos prigimtis.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Design, Urban, Art, Theory, Academic

560 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2017

About the author

Reinier Hendrik de Graaf was born in Schiedam, Netherlands, where he graduated from Stedelijk Gymnasium in 1982.[1] He holds an architecture diploma from Delft University and a master's degree in architecture from the Berlage Institute. De Graaf worked for architecture firms in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom before joining OMA in 1996.

Reviews

[Sandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One time, I found myself laughing at 3 am in my bed reading one of the essays in this book. The other time, I would be so occupied digesting historical facts, socio-economic and political complexities of some renown and 'not so well-known' important projects that marked the turning points of the development of cities and urban areas across the globe that have subsequently changed the landscape of the profession, and of course, the contemporary challenges that OMA/AMO had to deal with as an architectural practice in particular through the writer's personal view. I remember thinking, ‘How can an architecture book be so funny and entertaining yet it has so much depth and rigorous quality at the same time?’ That, in my opinion, speaks how underrated Reinier de Graaf is. He is naturally a very eloquent writer, and just also happens to be one of the most brilliant thinkers in the architectural scene today, and this book seals that.

[Nataliia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Рейнір де Ґрааф говорить про все й ні про що: суть архітектурної роботи, девелопмент, як стилі архітектури корелюють з політичними віяннями, про росіян, диктаторів, соціальне житло, лімінальний простір аеропортів, модульну архітектуру, окремі райони/проєкти Лондона, Нью-Йорка й Східної Німеччини, про секс у парку, нерівність і ще про мільйон речей, які я вже встигла забути, поки півтора роки з великими перервами читала цю книжку.

І якщо на початку здається, що книжка буде дуже абстрактним чтивом про високі матерії (чим є абсолютно кожна будівля як не коробкою?, питає й відразу ж відповідає автор), то в якийсь момент ти грузнеш у деталях одного з проєктів, над яким працював де Ґрааф і думаєш: для чого мені це все знати? Я схильна вважати, що це зроблено дуже свідомо й теоретичні роздуми про кінець історії й _роль_ архітектора недарма перемежовані майже веселими іронічними байками із жизні.

[Elena Paleckytė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patiko, faina knygutė, would recommend

[Brandon Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it to be entertaining and an accurate representation of the changing state of the profession, the difficulties we can all relate to, and the complexity of dealing with the developers, public officials, general public, etc. Although I can relate moreso from being in urban design, I wish the book focused more on the recurring themes that occur on everyday projects--delays, deadlines, contractor / owner / architect relationships, working through the CA process (change orders, cost complications, etc.) and less on case studies. Best book i've read on Architecture in a long time. Wasn't sure whether to celebrate my profession or look for a new one at the end.

[Teodor Cuciureanu · Rating 1 out of 5]

literally a waste of time and money...

[Duliniuku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tikėjausi geriau susipažinti su architektūros virtuve, ir knyga tai tikrai suteikia. Esė žanrą patogu skaityti, o pjūviai tokie įvairūs - į architektūrą žiūrima per istorijos, politikos, ekonomikos, sociologijos, urbanizmo prizmę, tampa aišku, kad ir kodėl architektūra tai nėra tik keturios sienos ir stogas (o gal kaip tik, tai ir yra, atrodo skaitant apie įvairiuose pasaulio miestuose vykdomas socialinių būstų programas). Kai kurios esė - veikiau filosofiniai apmąstymai, kitos - įtraukiančios istorijos apie projektų vystymo virtuvę nuo Brazilijos iki Maskvos. Gal ir ne su visais pamąstymais norisi sutikti, bet akiratį ši knyga praplečia labai stipriai.

[Josiah Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this book with the hope of gaining a little bit of insight into the professional world of architecture and the culture of OMA, one of the most impressive firms of the last few decades. While I was certainly not disappointed with the content concerning those topics, I was even more interested in the essays concerning soviet Russia, modern political tension, liberalism, modernism, the rise of populism, and urban planning through the lens of a very accomplished and well-informed architect. I'm not quite sure what to make of this book, as it's essay topics span so wide a range that I have difficulty recommending it to anyone besides my most intellectually curious friends, but I couldn't really put it down. de Graaf is a fantastic writer with a hilarious, fatalistic voice, the man has quite a wide range of talents.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the lens of architecture, this book is really much more of a deliberation of the challenges of our time, of the collapse of the public sector and the subsequent thriving of private developments in the spaces we inhabit. Thoughtful and elegant prose takes us from London to Moscow to East Germany to Rio de Janeiro to New York, laying open the eerie similarities in such differently perceived places and calling into question the increasing influence of "management speak" and market forces in the built environment. It is definitely one of the more thought-provoking books I have read in recent years. Highly recommended, even if you are not deeply interested in architecture!

[Nicolle Hazard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s almost cynical point of view really resonated with certain things I had seen in the Architecture field myself. It’s a sharp collection of observations on all the things that touch architecture and i particularly enjoyed his study into difficult topics such as the architecture behind the Berlin Wall and in Soviet Russia.
It’s a book for non-architects too, and I wish it was marketed as such. His thoughts on the economics of the built environment should be more widely spread.
The only reason I don’t give 5 stars is because some essays were a bit weak compared to others. Either way an insightful delightful read.

[Pablo Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um relato sobre o que as realidades da profissão no século XXI, em que as utopias das vanguardas modernistas são reabilitadas como expressão de uma sociedade democrática e mais igualitária, e como a partir dos anos 70 o domínio de um capitalismo sem restrições subverte estas utopias. É um relato do que resta quando a edificação é valorizada por seu valor como investimento e não pelo uso que se faz dela.

[Callie Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best architecture book I’ve read. Not sure whether it’s theory or memoir, but it’s full of brilliant insights- loved the history of pre-fab and standardization during the communist regime. A few unremarkable or hyperbolic chapters- but most of them are great, and so great! Like the discussion of of using bison to stop people from having sex in a public park( this happened). Give to the nerdy planner or architect in your life.

[Erisa Nesimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful array of essays, thinking pieces, notes and work diaries. De Graaf has a captive writing style, and ability to question everything, even his own work in a way that brings forward the important political, social and philosophical aspects of architecture and planning. A must read for everyone interested in challenging their perspectives on the world of design, architecture, planning.

[Xvmichal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prawdziwe.
Zbiór esejów autorstwa jednego z partnerów w OMA. Spostrzeżenia autora dotyczące natury zawody architekta w zaskakujący sposób są zbieżne z moimi odczuciami.

Motorem architektury nie jest już potrzeba piękna, a zysk.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sharp joyride! I have been waiting a long time for a book like this.

[Cristina Chelarescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpretentious book about what is important in architecture. Loved it!!

[Bianca Gheorghita · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMA never disappoints!

[Mauricio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very current and brutally honest introspection of the profession of architecture. A grounded, informative and at times humorous narrative of episodes and experiences make it a pleasant read.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and insightful essays around the world of the built environment. Some are more interesting than others

[Suzanne]

Recommendation from Christine Williamson (Building Science Fightclub)

[k · Rating 2 out of 5]

ну занаааадто складно читається, навіть мені, як людині зі сфери. купа неважливих деталей, перенесень у часі, стрибки між проєктами. мурижу її вже рік майже…

[Ілля Смоленко · Rating 3 out of 5]

Я вважаю її корисно, бо тут описано побут і досвід архітектора з історичними вставками

[Kevin Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during my first semester of 4th year studying architecture, the book provides a cautionary tale of the working in the field. The clientele OMA engage with provide laughable fantasies of creating vibrant new paradises and vainglorious follies. DeGraaf's experiences in being held captive in Russian airports with large models resembling suspicious flammable contraband and efforts to impress developers in calamatous presentations are amusing yet disheartening anecdotes encapsulating the architecture profession in the 21st century.