“This modern architecture that everybody talks about doesn’t correspond to the desire of the society we live in. A lot of people don’t find that comfortable. They don’t think it’s elegant. It doesn’t really respond to their values.”
– Architect Lucien Lagrange, in a recent conversation with Yo
Lagrange is an absolute dinosaur. Chicago is THE city of modern design!! Having this character being a prominent designer in the city just isn’t worth it anymore. For every 1 or 2 good or great designs he has given us (XO, Erie on the Park, etc), he bombards us with 5 or 6 absolute turkeys (Lincoln Park 2520, Elysian, 10 E.Delaware, Ritz Carlton, etc etc etc). I think it’s high time we export this the turkey known as Lucien back to the homeland!!
Dinosaurs also come in glass boxes.
It’s been quite a while since Tom Wolfe’s screed on modern architecture was published.
It’s a worthwhile read as a cautionary reminder of just how many people detest modern architecture and how violently they detest it.
We’re talking about people’s homes here, and Lagrange has a grip on what people like.
Ahhh, the irony of this quote “For every 1 or 2 good or great designs he has given us (XO, Erie on the Park, etc), he bombards us with 5 or 6 absolute turkeys (Lincoln Park 2520, Elysian, 10 E.Delaware, Ritz Carlton, etc etc etc).”
The projects perceived as “great designs” like
X-NO are bombing, and the “turkeys” are selling well. But of course everyone who buys these other projects does not know as much as you I guess.
Optima builds modern, and they’ve sold lots of condos.
Buyers look for location, amenity mix, and value. Developers who think they need a cheesy faux historical exterior style are pinheads.
To X-NO
Get out of kindergarten. Tower 1 of X/O is 60% sold and Tower 2 is 30% sold. I know that wishful thinking tends to guide the demoralized, angry members of society such as yourself, who is probably one of those Prarie Avenue NIMBY’s who lives in his own imaginary world, but last I checked this project is full steam ahead.
But of course, like an idiot who worships the word of every evangelist, you only want to hear what makes you feel good. So that means that modern buildings like Aqua, Legacy at Millennium Park, 600 N Fairbanks, etc etc are failing miserably on the market. Whatever helps you get to sleep at night..
(and for the record, I don’t mind neo-traditional design, but I’m not a redneck bore like some of the midwesterners who’ve never left their cozy little world such as half the people on this board)
having worked for that clown, lucien doesn’t get involved in any of the ‘modern’ design, except to sell it with his canadian accent. he’s a fantastic salesman with, at best, little inspiration for architecture other than knocking off buildings of the past. he has the opportunity to do great design, and structurally could and has accomplished much, but throws it under the bus when it comes to being part of the 21st century.