[in-enaction] ambivalence of (modern) Architecture: Enthusiasm [ BBC ]

Architexturez. wrote:

> The Royal Mail is showcasing six unique British buildings on a set of 
> new stamps released this week in time for Architecture Week.
>
> Issued on June 20 2006, the six stamps showcase some of the very best 
> examples of modern architecture created this millennium. Each of the 
> chosen buildings has either received or been shortlisted for a Royal 
> Institute of British Architects prize.

| we put some stories from the US on this
| mailing list, which seem to represent a
| global turn... now it is the conservative
| old BBC, accepting modern architecture for
| what it is, the much reviled white-box
| architecture, social housing, seem to be
| making a return. wonder if Charles Jenks,
| and the generation of Pruitt-Igoe bombers
| have a reaction.

Donnybrook Quarter in Bow is an island of white in a sea of brown and 
grey. And even discounting the unusual whitewashed effect, it would 
still diverge dramatically from the surrounding area, with its squarish 
modernist look.
....
And the architect has struggled to make sure that almost every space in 
the project is overlooked, which is an advantage where you have a white 
development that must seem like a graffiti sprayer's dream.

"It has been there for six months and we haven't had any graffiti," says 
Mr Barber. "Most of the project is really well overlooked. A lot of the 
walls that get graffitied are the ones that don't feel like they belong 
to people."

And while the finished result is striking, some of the features may not 
be to everyone's taste. There may be some people who cannot bear the 
thought of people being able to peep into their living room while they 
are opening the door.

But the development has already proved popular - the 70% of the units 
that are for sale have already gone - and Mr Barber says he has only 
heard positive comments from the residents.

He hopes that the public space-creating and space-saving design prove a 
model for social housing and new private developments elsewhere.

cont'd....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5103556.stm