Designs on Victory (or not)

The August 19 issue of the New York Times features a story by reporter Robin Pogrebin called “Ready, Set, Design: Work as a Contest.” In it Pogrebin explores the tricky world of architectural design contests, and along the way interviews a few names familiar to Wexner Center patrons: Center-designer Peter Eisenman, Prize recipient Renzo Piano, and Glimcher Lecture speaker Thom Mayne. All have their own unique takes on competitions (Eisenman likes the challenge, while Frank Gehry wonders if contests produce the best possible buildings). Pogrebin navigates the landscape of participant fees, political mine fields, and philosophical issues that surround the world of architecture and design competitions, and finds the issue one open to interpretation.

So what think you? Do architectural competitions diminish the quality of work? Are they easy ways for moneymen to get a building on the cheap? Or do these contests present new and interesting challenges to architects or provide a chance for up-and-coming architects to show their stuff? Click here to read the story, then post your thoughts below in our comment section.