Goth architect
Just a quick note to point out that there is further discussion of the <a href=“http://rob.annable.co.uk/journal.cgi/2004/05/28/architecture/schmuck”>design codes and the implications of Prince Charles' carbuncle speech</a> in this weeks copy of <a href=“http://www.bdonline.co.uk/”>Building Design</a> (subscription required). There's a history of the Prince's Foundation's influence and it includes a comment about how <a href=“http://www.west8.nl/archive/projects/borneosp.html”>West 8's project in Borneo and Sporenburg</a> was also designed using codes, yet resulted in a contemporary looking project. According to West 8's site <em>'…the brief called for 2500 dwelling units in low-rise, which here meant a density of 100 units per hectare…'</em>. Trust me, that isn't easy*. Looks like it could be worth further investigation. There's more info at the <a href=“http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature90.htm”>ArchNewsNow</a> site.
Whilst having my body pumelled during my monthly <a href=“ http://www.acupressure.com/”>acupressure</a> session a few moments ago (we share the costs with the boss and have it here at the office), I suddenly remembered that I once met a student from the <a href=“http://www.princes-foundation.org/”>Prince's Foundation</a> during a seminar at the RIBA about 8 or 9 years ago. The only thing I remember about him was that he had an ambition to one day build a Gothic airport terminal. We laughed, but maybe a few flying butresses would have stopped the disaster at <a href=“ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3751263.stm”>Charles de Gaulle</a>.
<p><small>*of course, any muppet can build at that sort of density, but doing it successfully is quite another matter</small></p>