The architect as a one-off design genius, an exploder of convention and an instigator of progressive thinking was a character forged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the millennium drew to a close, the personality of the ‘Starchitect’ arose as a provider of headline grabbing architecture that could sprinkle regenerative fairy dust anywhere in the world. It became doctrine that neighbourhoods and cities could easily have their fortunes turned around thanks in part, to a noticeably new and shiny addition to their built landscape. The designers involved were in turn feted as ‘visionaries’ that could travel the globe and think up new and improved ways for us to live, work and relax.

We seem now to be fully immersed in a second age of the Starchitect, with designers continuing to use expressive forms to create awe, delight and sometimes disgust. In a visual culture dominated by slick renders, glossy photos and instagram feeds, they trade on an ability to sell a place as desirable & unmissable and it seems there is no such thing as bad publicity. However, uncertainties persist with what one suspects may be a fountainhead-individualism backed up by dramatic diagrams, strong styling and a branded presentation of architecture. Much of this work aims to produce innovative structures that offer progress to Design as a whole, however are the claims of their transformative power and place-making potential actually proven in reality? Additionally, what space is there for those non-headline design acts producing a notably quieter architecture that is designed with and for local communities?

A quarter of a century in, we can no longer ignore the pressing demands of the 21st century, the climate emergency and the fact that social inequality is growing rather than shrinking. What is the role of ‘celebrity’ hotshot designers as the Earth heats and the cost of living rises? With the increasing sense that current solutions lie somewhere between those of substance and those of the snake oil seller, are such architects championing groundbreaking sustainable structures that will reshape the built environment as we know it, or are they just continuing their role as dissociated decorators of the urban landscape? 

Starchitects appear united by their ability to charm developers and seduce investors. How can they best wield this influence to create a better, more equitable society? Or is it high time we did away with the Starchitect altogether? After all, it’s all sooo last century!!!!

Featuring:

Rob Fiehn (chair)
Manijeh Verghese, AA School
Joy Nazzari, dn&co
Will Jennings, Artist & Writer
Patrik Schumacher, Zaha Hadid Architects

amongst others….

On the night….