dezeen

this is not architecture.

i find this boring and childish, especially after posting the same article for a third time.

an open response to francois and others.

the definition of architecture..by dictionary.com unabridged is as follows.

the profession of designing buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodeling of existing buildings.

Please note that the word communities figures more prodominently than the word aesthetic. I believe that it is people that hold the same shallow beliefs that you apparently vocate that are dilluting architecture as a proffession. Sensationalism and the shock of the new do not single handedly create “good” architecture. It is undeniable that aesthetic can be an important factor in design, however consideration for users, typologies, space and context are more significant in producing what the architectural body calls “appropriateness”. Perhaps you should put some more time into thinking and comment on architectural merit and not solely on your own entertainment. Allow me to suggest that you consult the following resources for some bedtime reading:

http://www.architectureforhumanity.org

http://www.awb.iohome.net/

good work dezeen. I believe this is architecture…and more importantly it is not just any architecture, but it is one which we should all take a leaf from. cheers for the great e-zine.

i’d say this IS architecture.

i find this necessary and constructive, offside numb formalistic design. then again, what is true is: you could have made 1 or 2 posts out of it, not 3.. or maybe 4, once its finished, since we are still missing a part.

and i am somewhat shocked: i didnt think a sandbag house would get so much attention. its the most normal thing to build if you lack other ressources, or its localy available and cheaper. i thought it would happen all the time and not be a big thing.

Well, some of us like to see the evolution process of a product.

@Francois:

It must be comforting to know exactly what is architecture, and what is not.
Being a professional in the business of architecture, i allow myself the luxury to constantly investigate that border between what is architecture, and what Francois says “is not”.

I find this project very interesting, as i find Shigeru Bans Paper log houses:
http://www.shigerubanarchitects.com/SBA_WORKS/SBA_PAPER/SBA_PAPER_6/SBA_paper_6.html
and similar projects.
To many architects spend their lives designing objects for people, that really have enough well-designed space. I would love to work on a project like 10×10, i’m just not sure if i’m skilled enough.

Yes, I totally agree with those who say that THIS IS ARCHITECTURE!!!
Good job, Marcus.

oh francois if anything your reply was simply boring, childish, and had no relevance to the subject.

whether this is architecture or not I think we all (minus one) know,
the real question is, is this any different, or better, then similarly done projects in similar contexts?

I Think there was similar project like this, check tha Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2004 for Sand Bag Shelter.
But This Project is in difirent contexts,..

SPAM!!!!!! feck can’t you post only once rather than having this post re-occurring weekly?

i find the opening statement interesting purely for the fact that it has illicited many very strong responses.

i have to add that possibly what irritated people most about the statement is not what it contained, but the fact that it was directed at a building that is inteded to uplift the poor. Social architecture seems to be a bit a of a holy cow these days…

“united bootle ” is it architecture but bottle is packaging design…so is it
packaging house?is this architecture large packaging for human?
for me it’s design for help

As a student studying architecture I find this article very interesting as it possess the question of what is or isn’t architecture. Personally I think this quote said by Cameron Sinclair is most similar to my philosophy of architecture, “If you strip away all the ego in architecture … all we do is provide shelter. And if you can’t do that, you can’t call yourself an architect.” It is one thing to have the credentials of designing a beautiful new museum or sky scraper, but having the ability to change how people live creating a powerful statement in social architecture is so much powerful than the star-architect.

Innovative but not good for cape town conditions in that they are hot and stuffy iside would like to see them .