"Architecture is a craft and not an art."
Leon Krier's statement, "Architecture is a craft and not an art," suggests that architecture is more about skillfully solving practical problems related to design, construction, and function rather than self-expression or creative freedom. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to principles, guidelines, and traditional techniques in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing built environments. This perspective highlights the crucial role of architecture as a discipline that shapes our physical world while downplaying the romantic notion of the architect as an artistic genius.
"Urbanism is a discipline, which deals with human needs."
This quote emphasizes that urban planning and design should prioritize the essential requirements and comforts of people who inhabit and use urban spaces. By focusing on human needs, urbanism aspires to create vibrant, functional, and livable cities that foster social interaction, promote well-being, and cater to diverse societal demands, including housing, transportation, recreation, employment, and cultural activities. In essence, good urbanism strives for a sustainable balance between the built environment and human welfare.
"In architecture, it is more important to be good than to be original."
This quote emphasizes that the primary goal in architecture should be to create good designs, rather than striving for novelty or uniqueness solely for its own sake. Good design is rooted in principles of functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, ensuring that structures not only look appealing but also serve their intended purpose effectively. Originality can sometimes lead to experimental designs that may lack these essential qualities, making Leon Krier's statement a reminder for architects to prioritize creating meaningful and useful spaces over being groundbreaking or trendy.
"The quality of a building is not in the materials but in the use that is made of them."
This quote by Leon Krier emphasizes that the value or quality of a building lies not in the materials used, but rather in how those materials are utilized. In other words, it's not just about what you build with, but how you construct and design within those constraints that truly defines a building's worth. This perspective encourages architects and designers to be creative, innovative, and mindful of functionality when working on projects.
"A city is not beautiful because it is ornamented; it is ornamented because it is beautiful."
This quote by Leon Krier implies that a city's beauty isn't just about its physical decorations, but rather, it stems from its inherent qualities. He suggests that cities become ornate (decorated) as a reflection of their underlying beauty, not the other way around. In essence, he's highlighting the importance of designing cities with thoughtful principles and good urban planning to create places that are naturally beautiful and worthy of adornment.
Surprisingly, the Eisenhower Memorial design contains almost none of the known Gehry-box of tricks. His giant etched chain-link curtain, first applied in 1979 to hide an ungracious parking garage at Santa Monica Place, is resurrected for Eisenhower to screen the equally graceless facade of the Department of Education.
- Leon Krier
Against expectations I was charmed by Gehry's Edgemar development, which housed the Santa Monica Museum of Art, and positively awed by the Bilbao Guggenheim. That Gehry is a great artist I have no doubt, but talent and determination are no warrant against confusion, nor are they a guaranty to produce great art.
- Leon Krier
You need a prince to make a town in an intellectual sense. Developers want to make money. If they cared about architecture, they'd become architects. I've had so many projects that never came off because they had no sponsor, and not because they were utopian. I just want to build a town that's normal.
- Leon Krier
A city can only be reconstructed in the form of urban quarters. A large or a small city can only be reorganized as a large or a small number of urban quarters; as a federation of autonomous quarters. Each quarter must have its own center, periphery and limit. Each quarter must be a city within a city.
- Leon Krier
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