ana012: Patrik Schumacher (4 of 4) | Post-Interview Commentary

Tim and Joe review Anarchitecture’s interview with Patrik Schumacher, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects (Episode #ana011), to clarify and highlight key points. We elaborate on topics including historical architectural styles, computer-generated design, parametric urbanism, and the challenges of promoting radical ideas.

View full show notes at anarchitecturepodcast.com/ana012.

Intro

"I’m not withdrawing anything of what I’ve been saying. However, one needs to be aware of how one says it, how one mediates it, and how one explains that what we’re talking about is precisely aiming for the same fundamental hopes and ideals of a free and prosperous, emancipated and pleasant human condition."

Discussion

Historical styles of architecture

Alberti’s architectural theory as the start of the discourse of architecture

Fordism, modernism, and progressivism

Post-Fordist network society

Post-modernism

Deconstructivism

Parametricism – complexity and order

Frank Gehry and Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Computer-generated design and input parameters

Parametric curves – multiple Y values for a given X value

Too many parameters can over-calibrate predictive models, but could be an advantage in architectural design.

Fractal design

Parametric Urbanism

Garbage spill urbanism

Urban harmony through Parametricism

Perceiving more complex types of order

I guess you’re not ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it.

Van Halen requires preconditioning.

Path-dependence

The challenges of promoting parametricism and libertarianism / anarcho-capitalism

A messiah event

Long-term one on one conversations

Shock value

Crisis as catalyst

Market-based solutions are necessary, and may be sufficient

Transitioning to a stateless society requires three things:
1. Convince people that the initiation of force is wrong
2. Convince people that governments initiate force
3. Convince people that there are viable market alternatives to governmental services

Links/Resources

Episodes in this series on Patrik Schumacher:

Anarchitecture Podcast Episode ana009: Patrik Schumacher (1 of 4) | Introduction and Housing Controversy – An introduction to Patrik, and Tim’s blog post about Patrik’s controversial housing presentation

Anarchitecture Podcast Episode ana010: Patrik Schumacher (2 of 4) | Media Maelstrom – Tim and Joe’s critique of media responses to Patrik’s housing presentation

Anarchitecture Podcast Episode ana011: Patrik Schumacher (3 of 4) | The Interview – Tim’s interview with Patrik at the Zaha Hadid Design Gallery in London

Anarchitecture Podcast Episode ana012: Patrik Schumacher (4 of 4) | Post-Interview Commentary – Tim and Joe review and highlight key points from the interview

patrikschumacher.com – Patrik’s publications, interviews, and lectures, including his two-volume book on architectural theory, “The Autopoiesis of Architecture”

The Stages of Capitalism and the Styles of Architecture – Patrik’s analysis of the proper relationships between architecture, politics, and socio-economic conditions

The Historical Pertinence of Parametricism and the Prospect of a Free Market Urban Order, Patrik Schumacher, London 2014 – A comprehensive argument for parametric urbanism. Includes photos of “garbage spill urbanization” and student work demonstrating multi-author parametric urban development

Zaha Hadid Architects 2014 promotional video

Zaha Hadid Architects project archive

Zaha Hadid Design Gallery

Housing for Everyone – Dezeen’s video of Patrik’s controversial presentation at the November 2016 World Architecture Festival

Tim’s blog post: Patrik Schumacher, Anarcho-Capitalist Architect

Back to the Future – Kids may not be ready for this link, but your parents are gonna love it

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