Comments on: Accordia wins Stirling Prize

By: Ninian

Ninian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:51:08 +0000

Is that really the real JG Ballard? I demand to know…

By: knowing me

knowing me — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:08:05 +0000

Since you asked: Accordia is not just housing for the wealthy, it also includes a good percentage of affordable housing. You can’t tell from the photographs because these houses look just like the slightly larger, posh ones.
The merits of the scheme come from the idea that well designed communal space can contribute to making communities. And there is definitely a community there, the prevalence of family housing means the children have brought neighbours together.
Have a look at Maccreanor Lavington’s website, they actually show some of their houses as occupied.

By: Melshimber

Melshimber — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:09:16 +0000

The photographs show a well considered scheme that shows a particular interest in how the materials are arranged in a very pleasing way. The interior photograph looks sparse but with people loving living there it has to be seen as a positive effect on the built environment. That must be what Architects are striving towards – creating great, beautiful places to live, work and socialise.

By: David

David — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:51:38 +0000

Kim,

The point of my argument was twofold. Firstly, some of above criticism is based on the perceived market ambitions of the project. However, we have not been told who actually lives there. I understand there is a mix of expensive and affordable housing. Therefore the argument that it appeals to a narrow upper-middle class audience only is untrue.

Secondly, housing of this material quality is likely to last at least four or five generations. Victorian terraces are still happily occupied by the wealthiest and the poorest across the country and are only considered “posh” when in a currently wealthy neighbourhood. Therefore, there are qualities inherent in the architecture which are not related to the present inhabitants. What are those qualities

David

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:07:30 +0000

I don’t see the point of your argument David.
Why should we forget about the people and only specialize into debating on the plan, the urban design and all these themes ? Are we not suppose to design for people, for specific clients ?
I understand J.G Ballard. Architecure disconnected from the socio-economical context, as it was always done by the Moderns is just any other consumption lifestyle product. My point is not to think with nostalgia on the Genuis Locci but a real debate on the aesthetical and political aspect of this residential project.
Obviously it was directed towards a very conservative-liberal educated market. It smells so much as a safe choice. I can only see this project as a suspicious exercise in marketing, and not as a social solution.

By: JuiceMajor²

JuiceMajor² — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:08:00 +0000

A worthy winner. Am just mad that why can’t all housing be as beautifully designed as this one!

By: David

David — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:49:19 +0000

Does anyone contributing to this debate, other than JamieNotJamy, have any idea who in fact lives in Arcadia? What their income spread is? What their ownership/tenancy arrangement is?

The majority of the negative criticism seems aimed at a notional middle-class which almost certainly does not reflect the residents of Arcadia in as much as it is out-of-date and reductive. Cambridge, as well as being an old university town, is one of the fastest growing conurbations in the country.

If we wanted to debate the merit of the architecture, surely we would be discussing the benefits of the plan, section, urban design and then possibly the affordability and mixed tenure arrangements before speculating about the possible proclivities of the (temporary) occupants?

By: J.G. Ballard

J.G. Ballard — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:44:56 +0000

Yes “Hotrats” , as I said, coffee table (sophisticated tabloid) architecture for upper middle class.
Perfect clients, my dear “JamieNotJamy”, manicured life in England’s dreaming, a little bit modern conservative (not too minimalist), not too nouveau riche (not so digital), just enough European culture (minimalism as ornament), and the typical English social class anal snobbery
…Would be nice to forget the financial crisis in the garden, watching your future millionaire teenage delinquent kids grow up…

Sorry “Tellsitlikeitis”, but it is not hating, just an ironic comment on an architecture driven by nostalgia. I find the living room quite depressing, imagining it dull in winter. The ceiling height is just enough for a loud party, with “She’s lost control” as a soundtrack. While the brickwork would be so cute with snow around, blending under a grey sky.

By: Hotrats

Hotrats — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:52:44 +0000

J.G.Ballard?? The real one or an imposter – I suspect an imposter??? If you are the real one you really don’t have your finger on the pulse anymore. I’m sure the occupants or Accordia wouldn’t be seen dead in a super dome shopping mall on the M25 – much more likely the local farmers market or deli buying imported truffles, bespoke cheeses and artisan breads – this is Cambridge after all don’t you know. And I’m sure they’re past buying the throw away Ikea tat that most bland shoe boxes are furnished with. If you can afford to live in Accordia you can probably afford to shop at Vitra and the like. Dreams of plasma screens?? – dreams of trips to the arts cinema more like. And the Maldives? – hill walking in Tuscany perhaps. But why not?? – it beats Shepperton. Join the middle class throng – they have some wonderful coffee mornings.

This scheme is really what the British housing industry needs – quality design, shared public space and an urban plan that is a million miles away from the 1930 senis and mock-Georgian cul-de-sacs of outer London and Surrey.

btw. The Voices of Time is still a great short story.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:39:46 +0000

to continue my previous comment:

…I think I’ll call it Starch-itecture