How should we name an important temple after it undergoes a complete religious change of use, but only a partial architectural transformation? And…
Generic No More: Toronto Modernism in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Enemy’
Canadian cities such as Toronto or Vancouver are often used by Hollywood to represent either generic modern cities that could…
From Bauhaus to Vitrahaus and Beyond: a new Meme?
Architecture and Status-Anxiety
Ever wondered why luxury products are advertised so heavily in mass-circulation media, even though the market for such products is…
Tourism versus Terrorism
Is tourism a form of terrorism? Some Barcelonins seem to think so. All over the city — especially near tourists sites…
Perspective is Everything
Neon duty-free stores selling discounted liquor and cigarettes to ski bums already high on oxygen and speed, causing interminable traffic…
The Ramp of Justice
Ever since Infanta Cristina, King Juan Carlos of Spain’s younger daughter, was called into Palma de Mallorca’s courthouse for questioning…
Calatrava May Bleed You Dry, But Who is Ultimately Responsible?
Several Spanish media (such as El Diario and El País) are reporting that Santiago Calatrava is suing Esquerra Unida País Valencià…
Everything is Art
In September 2012, the fiscally and socially retrograde People’s Party governing Spain raised the value-added tax on most items to 21%,…
Critical Juncture: the Work of Joseph Rykwert, critic
CICA, AA and V&A organise events to mark the occasion of the RIBA Royal Gold Medal awarded to CICA President…
Power, Corruption and Architecture
Transparency International released its annual report some weeks ago, and this year’s corruption perception index, which ranks 177 countries from least to most…
Ice Fishing in Gimli, a book project by Rob Kovitz
One of my favorite publishers, Treyf Books, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Treyf is offering, for the first time, Ice…
2014
Media-TIC, another Sad Spectacle?
In an article I wrote a few years ago on Barcelona’s Media-TIC building, for Mark Magazine #25, I concluded my optimistic…
Spanish Steps
[Originally published in Azure, Nov/Dec 2013] One thing becomes immediately apparent when approaching MediaLab-Prado. There is no confusing old with…
Old Buildings, New Buildings
“I don’t know whether we should be designating heritage buildings.” — Frank O. Gehry Why is preserving old buildings only…
Hotel Agbar?
Barcelona’s La Vanguardia newspaper reported three days ago that the Agbar Tower, an office building designed by Jean Nouvel and completed in…
Sagrada Familia Doubt
A recent video illustrating “the final stages of Gaudí’s masterpiece” represents, we are led to believe, La Sagrada Familia completed. However,…
Sociability Generator
[Originally published in Azure, October 2013] Gràcia, with its narrow streets and the atmosphere of the former village still intact,…
How Much Does Your Conscience Weigh, Mr. Koolhaas?
Mr. Koolhaas, you designed a daring and ambitious building for CCTV, China’s state-controlled television broadcaster. But it is from this…
Criticalista 