New Feature: Firm Faces
One thing I've noticed about architecture firms' web pages is the increase in photos of the office, of the people involved. Given this trend, I thought I'd showcase some of these photos and see how they are similar or different from each other, and what they say about the firm.
The first of this ongoing feature is the serious lot at REX, the OMA offshoot led by Joshua Prince-Ramus and Erez Ella.
Image by Jason Schmidt
The two leaders are prominently located in the foreground of a New York loft with the 30-odd employees dispersed behind them and some foam models. Perhaps the more senior ones are closest to the camera and the young ones at the back, meaning if the latter leave the firm they don't have to keep reshooting this photo as they're faces are too small to be distinguished. This raises the paradox of these sorts of photos: their role in illustrating the important role individuals play in the production of architecture, a role that can be seen cynically as interchangeable with any qualified person.
Another aspect of these photos is the space the people inhabit. In this case the open studio gets across the idea that the office is somewhat egalitarian, with open communication but also a bit of noise; one cannot escape to a cubicle or other nook for privacy. Even the models look to be constructed in the same space as phone calls are made and CAD is pumped. These models reinforce an egalitarian environment, as everybody is privy to the design process as it unfolds. Lastly, the office doesn't appear to be picked up very much for the photo; if anything, they embrace the mess and wanted it to be captured in the photo.
(Thanks to Eric for the head's up on REX's web site.)
The first of this ongoing feature is the serious lot at REX, the OMA offshoot led by Joshua Prince-Ramus and Erez Ella.
Image by Jason Schmidt
The two leaders are prominently located in the foreground of a New York loft with the 30-odd employees dispersed behind them and some foam models. Perhaps the more senior ones are closest to the camera and the young ones at the back, meaning if the latter leave the firm they don't have to keep reshooting this photo as they're faces are too small to be distinguished. This raises the paradox of these sorts of photos: their role in illustrating the important role individuals play in the production of architecture, a role that can be seen cynically as interchangeable with any qualified person.
Another aspect of these photos is the space the people inhabit. In this case the open studio gets across the idea that the office is somewhat egalitarian, with open communication but also a bit of noise; one cannot escape to a cubicle or other nook for privacy. Even the models look to be constructed in the same space as phone calls are made and CAD is pumped. These models reinforce an egalitarian environment, as everybody is privy to the design process as it unfolds. Lastly, the office doesn't appear to be picked up very much for the photo; if anything, they embrace the mess and wanted it to be captured in the photo.
(Thanks to Eric for the head's up on REX's web site.)
John,
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this new feature and have felt as expressed that there is a worthy subject into the spaces we create from. Added your analysis seems spot on.
Looking forward to more.
Check out the animation for Museum Plaza. That alone is an interesting way to engage office environment and culture into a presentation graphic. Aside from the fuzzed out faces and black box over the eyes, it was a captivating way of introducing their design process. Great addition to the dose.
ReplyDeleteI can't help, but feel cynical seeing this photo. If REX really positions teamwork as its philosophical and practical axiom then why has the "team" been relegated to the background? Are they the supporting acts for the two startects?
ReplyDeletePOSTING THE GUYS STEALING OMA-S WORK IS MORE THAN CYNICAL...THESE SLEAZY GUYS JUST MAKE ME SICK
ReplyDeleteI did a freelance gig there and want to speak up for REX here. The office IS egalitarian, but this is an art-theory based practice pushing interesting and expensive buildings on a country dead set on being a total bore visually, so for such a practice to survive, and def in their case, there is an unspoken code of extremely hard work, long hours, conformity. the open office helps this, but i would also speculate they just can't yet afford a nice set of techie style cubicles.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the partners are not egomaniacs and the photo is not political, just an attempt at an interesting composition in a boxy space.
To me the more telling thing is their faces--not having lots of fun, but that's just the new york cool designer's way I guess. If I were Erez or Josh I would be grinning for sure.
And they're not stealing OMA work. RK has encouraged splinter practices to part amicably from OMA previously in Europe as with REX here in NYC. Besides, its openly noted on their site like "... with Rem..." etc.