For A Few Dozen More

In the July/August 2008 Architecture Minnesota magazine, the article “Architects’ Dozen” was a fantastic look into the minds of some of our contemporary architectural leaders through the buildings in Minnesota that inspire them. Ralph Rapson’s fascination came from the Witch’s Tower in Prospect Park while Ken Johnson’s inspiration came from Ralph Rapson’s Rarig Center. Vincent James selected the sublime ore docks of the north shore while David Salmela chose Vincent James’ Dayton House.

It’s caused me to ponder what building, if forced to choose just one, I would mark as a point of inspiration. While there are many runners-up, I think I have finally settled on the Cedar Riverside Development by Ralph Rapson. Love it or hate it, success or failure, it’s an example of how design can impact social change. It’s one of those rare buildings that you can never judge by aesthetic. You have to know it and understand its ethos before you can learn from it. And learn from it, we must. For me, it’s a daily reminder of design’s ethical function; that there is a right and wrong to the decisions we make, whether we know it or not. Want proof? Check out the Walker exhibit, “Design for the Other 90%”.

What Minnesota building has deeply affected or inspired you?

Adieu, Jeune Lune

About 10 years ago, a friend of mine dragged me into a dingy warehouse and two hours later my life, my creative process, and my hope for live art were altered forever. The show was The Kitchen, a simple little story, dramaturgically unremarkable with the stereotypical tensions between chefs and waitresses. And then I saw Steven Epp, bobbing up and down in a ridiculously tall toke and Dominique Serrand in a magical suit of bright colors and plaids yelling “Sabotage!” in that commanding French voice he possesses.

Of course, most of the time, I was soaking in the space, the way the heavy steel girders disappeared into the lighting grid, the careful revelations of brick and plaster. Even the popcorny fireproofing on the steel columns seemed to add to the symphony of new and old textures which carefully feathered themselves into the scenery. There was no line between actor and audience, stage and theatre. The world, in this space, was truly a stage. It reminded me of the first time I entered the Guggenheim in Bilbao. When I walked through the Richard Serra sheets of steel, I realized that I was in a space at the edge art amidst art at the edge of space.

So yeah, the news of Jeune Lune closing was very sad to me. Yet, like every great piece of live theater, it must eventually close, the set must be struck, and the house must go dark. And it’s our job, the responsibility of the audience, to remember the space and the art. What’s your most memorable Juene Lune moment?

10 x 10

In the July/August issue of Architecture Minnesota, 10 notable Minnesotans offered their take on AIA’s 10 Principles for Livable Communities in an article titled 10 on 10. What was your reaction to the piece? Which entries most resonated with you? Did any, in your opinion, miss the mark?

Open Houses: A Gouda Event?

During Architecture Week, April 9-14, over 45 firms around the state opened their doors to the public on Thursday, April 12. Nearly 30 participating firms responded to the follow-up survey. Here are a few of their comments.

Things that were good: "We certainly benefited from the fact that this was a broader event for which we were just one stop – quite a few people took the opportunity to visit several other open houses near our location. We probably would not have had the same kind of turnout if we just had our own open house."

Things we wished could be better: "There wasn’t as much publicity as we had expected. Or rather, there wasn’t as much accessible and useful publicity as we’d hoped. The article in the Star Tribune was amusing, but it didn’t seem to really emphasize the tour as much as discuss the quirkiness of architects."

Things to note: "We also had some nice parents with their high school age kids who were interested in studying architecture in college. That was the best group for sure and staff here had the most enjoyable time speaking to those people. As for the rest of them, frankly, it seemed like people who wanted to eat cheese and weren’t particularly interested in architecture." (AIA MN staff note: After a serious discussion about the outcome of the event - among us we covered at least 40 open houses - we concluded that architects really do enjoy a wide variety of cheeses and if you were the general public and liked cheese, it would be good to visit a few.)

Tell us, should we have Firm Open Houses again in April 2008? And what suggestions would you have for event success? Click below to comment.

Demystifying Architects

What is it that architects do? Linda Mack inquired in the Sunday, August 8th Star Tribune article. Throughout Architecture Week events: the Capitol Exhibit with 90 projects illustrating livability principles, over 45 Firm Open Houses on April 12 and the Stone to Stainless 5K Run on April 14, we hope to give the public some insight and a variety of answers to this question. In non-architect speak, how might you surmise the question? Click below to comment or read more on Todd Melby's blog.

In the Ballpark

Marianne Combs from Minnesota Public Radio joined the AIA Minneapolis Urban Design Committee for their March luncheon to report on the design of the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark located in downtown Minneapolis. The Luncheon panel included Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat, Architects Bruce Miller from HOK and Bill Blanski from HGA and Implementation Committee member and North Loop resident David Frank. Chuck Balentine, Deputy Coordinator for the Hennepin County Ballpark Project was the moderator.

Read or listen to the MPR report, Will the Downtown Diamond Sparkle? then add your comments below. The Urban Design Committee has also set up a yahoo group to disseminate and discuss the lasted information on ballpark design issues. To join the group email Emily at dowd@aia-mn.org and she will send you a personal invitation.

An Architect with Award-Winning Wit

Phillip Koski, AIA, a recent recipient of the 2007 AIA national Young Architects Award, is kind of a big deal. Recently named Citizen Koski by Linda Mack, he has been building a local reputation for years as a architect about town. Possessing a passion for historic preservation, the profession of architecture and writing, he's become a trusted source for a unique and witty perspective on architecture for the public in Minnesota, notably in articles in Architecture Minnesota like Save the Guthrie! Again (March 2057) in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue.

Anyone care to suggest an idea for a future article for Phillip? Submit below, please.