Stereotypes of Architecture and Architects

Stereotypes of Architecture and Architects

            The Design and Architecture of construction is what paint is to a blank canvas, it allows the ability of artistic freedom to design a building however he or she sees fit.  Since art is in the eye of the beholder, this leaves room for stereotypes of building creation and its creator. 

            Architecture, like art, is subject to the opinion of the person who design the style and to those who view it.  The South Campus Chilled Water Plant at The Ohio State University (OSU) can be used as an example.  When comparing the design of the Chiller Plant to the buildings located adjacent to it on campus, the building sticks out like a sore thumb.  Initial thought for many is a typical stereotype for abstract buildings comes to mind, this is a building design where the Architect had too much design freedom and did not take the opinions of others to mind..  After researching the building, one can gather that OSU paid $77.3 million dollars for a for a building to, not only house, but also display the inner working of the cold water chillers located inside.  The end use of the building is not only a structure to house the chillers, but also so it could be used as a teaching tool for Engineering students at OSU.  (The Ohio State University: Facilities Operations and Development, 2012)  This stereotype is based off making judgment based on only one aspect of something and not considering all facets of the structure. 

            Another common stereotype that exists within Architecture and Design is the stereotype of the Architect themselves.  When people are asked to explain what a typical Architect is like, a common response is someone who is egotistical, who wears black and small black rimmed glasses, and who is in debt.  While this may be representative of some Architects, this is not true of all Architects.   (Architect Discussion Forum, 2007)  This is an example of theories of visual stereotypes based off common misconceptions based of one’s career field.  

Reference

Architect Discussion Forum. (2007, February 28). architect stereotypes? Retrieved from Architect Discussion Forum: http://archinect.com/forum/thread/53325/architect-stereotypes

The Ohio State University: Facilities Operations and Development. (2012, August). South Campus Central Chiller Plant. Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio State University: Facilities Operations and Development.