ideologies

MANIFESTO

You cannot learn architecture any more than you can learn a sense of music or of painting. You should not talk about art; you should do it.”

The Seven Crutches of Modern Architecture examines how architectural knowledge affects design. Philip Johnson claims that the following are "crutches" used by architects to avoid their true obligations:

Although there are many other things an architect can do, architecture is a good starting point for projects and it can be helpful to see the end outcome.

Crutch of History Drawing The Crutch of History is rejected by Johnson as being unnecessary. They can struggle to discover solutions since they are only able to rationalise aspects that have been around for a while.

” what do you mean you do not like my tower? There it is in Wren”.

Crutch of Pretty Drawing

“You can give yourself the illusion that you are creating architecture while you’re making pretty drawings.

Philip Johnson’ s sketches

Crutch of Utility

“They say a building is good architecture if it works. Of course, this is poppy-cock. All buildings work.”

The customer is constantly looking for things that will be useful for a long time and wants to spend as little money as possible.

“If the business of getting the house to run well takes precedence over your artistic invention the result won’t be architecture at all; merely an assemblage of useful parts.”

Crutch of Comfort

As an architect, you must create objects or spaces that suit the client.

“After all, what is architecture but for the comforts of the people that live there? But when that is made into a crutch for doing architecture, environmental control starts to replace architecture.”

Crutch of Serving the Client

As architects, we must be able to see exactly what client desires, as well as think like architects, maximise available space, and present the finest solutions.

“You can escape all criticism if you can say, ‘Well, the client wanted it that way.’ … where do you draw the line? When do the client’s demands permit you to shoot him, and when do you give in gracefully?”

Crutch of Cheapness

An architect will constantly strive to provide the greatest service for the lowest cost while maximising the building in accordance with the customer's budget.

"Anybody that can build a $25,000 house has indeed reason to be proud, but is he talking about architecture or his economic ability?"