Is This Why Architecture Isn’t Included In The Creative Industries?

Crap architects get a mouthful in this blog from 2015.

When it comes to working out the value of the creative industries, much to the chagrin of some architects, the value of the work coming out of architectural practices is not included.

My hobby is running (often with my dog Minnie) and when I am not on countryside or coastal runs I love exploring cities, towns and suburbs. I am forever coming across new buildings that it is hard to believe could have had any creative minds involved in their design or delivery yet all must have had some form of architectural input from a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) member.

My latest ‘discovery’ is Southdown View in Hilsea, near Portsmouth. The website shows this grimly average computer generated image…

Blog, Southdowns

The reality is this miserable piece of architecture and placemaking in a location that could only be made palatable and liveable with great design and generosity.

Blog, Southdowns
Blog, Southdowns

Check out this entrance, it shows the colour scheme… And below are the real views… Life at the bleedin’ top! I wouldn’t want to know what its like at the bottom. It even made Minnie shiver.

Blog, Southdowns
Blog, Southdowns

If this were an aberration by an industry and residential architects then maybe we could forgive it but there is so much of this dross.

The architects need to be named and shamed but in this case First Wessex Housing don’t seem to be naming the architect. Shame on First Wessex for being a client that has let this happen. I won’t chastise the planners because they are probably under resourced and will certainly be under-powered.

When it comes to naming and shaming the press seem utterly disinterested. There is the Carbuncle Cup courtesy of trade publication, Building Design and the Carbuncle Awards by a small Scottish publication called Urban Realm. These however seem to concentrate on giving awards to big time Architects almost as a counter to the exploits of these same architects in the Stirling Prize.

Am afraid at the moment its down to us, the public, to kick and scream, make a fuss, tell the likes of First Wessex that what they are offering is simply not good enough.