Dezeen Magazine

"This is a challenging building, but living in it could be life-altering"

In this week's comments update, readers question whether a seaside home in Chile designed by Pezo von Ellrichshausen is actually finished, although some don't mind if it isn't.

Set in concrete: architects Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen described the monolithic house for a plot on Chile's Coliumo Peninsula, as a "cottage", but readers were unsure that it had actually been finished.

"Just completed? No way. Just because one can build an all concrete home, doesn't mean one should," sighed Hilton Purvis.

"Beautiful it may be, but calling a building a house doesn't make it a house," wrote Miles Teg.

"It's a stretch to call this a house, a dungeon might be a better description," agreed IDRACULA.

V So also felt the building was suited for another purpose: "This work managed to brutalise the most brutalist architecture. It is a coastal defence pillbox still waiting for the guns"

However, Z-dog indicated that perhaps the design had gone over everyone's head: "The architects have left the house at its necessities and it is up to the client to decide their level of comfort that they want to introduce. This is a challenging building, but the rewards of living in it could be life-altering. I would love to visit."

Jay was another reader who was sold: "This is one of the most gorgeous seaside homes I've ever seen."

But this reader was left wanting.

Do you think Loba house is suitable for human inhabitation? Join the discussion ›


Tesla Model X

Safety first: news that an Apple engineer had been killed in a fatal crash while riding in a Tesla operating on autopilot mode highlighted reader's fears over the lack of safety surrounding automated vehicles.

Jacek was resistant to the idea of no longer taking the wheel: "Well I haven't killed myself even once while driving, therefore I'm safer than autonomous cars."

"There is talk of a pilotless plane" gulped Faheen Donzel.

"Probably easier to engineer than a driverless car. You guys know that the movies didn't destroy television right?" fired back HeywoodFloyd.

"When will the autonomous gun be developed? Then there will be no one to blame for any mass shootings!" pondered Wayne.

Bruce Gordon had an alternative train of thought: "It's not the car or the software that's killing people. It's boredom, and as a result, inaction at just the wrong moment."

"If you are just that bored – don't do stupid stuff like operate deadly machinery. It's pretty simple." responded Polopoint bluntly.

This reader had envisioned another potential issue lying ahead.

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Populous MSG Sphere London venue

Off the ball: stadium specialist Populous released the first visuals of its planned spherical music and esport events venue for MSG in east London, but readers were less not enthusiastic about the  design.

JEA took issue with the project as a whole: "So a giant tacky illuminated billboard, in other words, not a building. And certainly not architecture."

"Cute Photoshop. This might as well be an Instagram filter," sneered Sancho at the plans.

"The renders look pretty cool. Curious that this is being billed as an esport arena and music venue." shrugged Hexagons.

Archi had good, or bad, news depending on your views of the design: "There is absolutely no way this looks anything like what the renderings are suggesting."

One reader felt MSG should be more focused on their hometown rather than London.

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Damn, Daniel: a faceted affordable housing block for seniors in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighbourhood by Daniel Libeskind's architecture firm infuriated readers for its alleged lack of suitability.

"Again Libeskind's self-absorbed mausoleum-shtick. How could seniors possibly feel comfortable in this?" fumed Claos.

"How could anyone possibly feel comfortable in this?" added Chris Becket.

Michael Prince agreed the architect had missed the mark: "While many of Libeskind's museums and cultural centres call for drama, this one is completely out of context for the neighbourhood, and it completely denies the identity of Bed-Stuy as well as the majority of Brooklyn residential communities."

"Looks like he's provided a great ramp to have a pop at climbing after a few sherbets," joked Ralph Kent.

This reader was aghast at the misrepresentation in the plans.

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