- Armchair architecture
Armchair architecture is generally any architectural design prepared by a person who is interested in architecture but is not a professional architect. An armchair architect is a person who claims to speak authoritatively about or dabbles in architecture but who is not a professional architect. (Generically, the term
armchair can refer to a dabbler in a particular field. Depending on the context, it can have positive connotations implying an enthusiastic amateur or negative connotations implying a critic who disparages the work of others but who lacks the skill necessary to actually do the work in question.) ["American Slang", Chapman, ISBN 0-06-096160-0]Background
Many people have at some time in their lives experimented with drawing sketches for a house or other small building. Even if unbuilt, these sketches can provide armchair architects with much satisfaction. Other armchair architecture activities include sketching existing buildings, building
architectural models , developing 3-D computer models of buildings, studyingarchitectural history , touring interesting buildings, preparing architectural documentaries, writing about or reviewing architecture, and even activities such as designing and building elaboratedoll house s.Notable "Armchair" Architects
One of the most famous armchair architects was (arguably)
Thomas Jefferson , thirdPresident of the United States , and the architect ofMonticello and theUniversity of Virginia . Although highly skilled and the architect of several landmark buildings, he is sometimes considered an armchair architect or "gentleman architect" ["American Art: : History and Culture", Thomas Jefferson, Gentleman Architect, Craven, ISBN 0071415246] since it was not his primary occupation. Also, his approach to Monticello involved repeated trial-and-error modifications over time more characteristic of an armchair architect than a professional architect. ["Thomas Jefferson's Monticello", Beiswanger, Hatch, Stanton, and Stein, ISBN 1-88286-18-0] ["How Buildings Work: The Natural Order of Architecture", Allen, ISBN 9780195161984]Charles, Prince of Wales is considered by some to be an armchair architect or armchair architectural critic. He is keenly interested in architecture and has expressed strong opinions in favor of traditional architecture and against modern architecture. Others disagree with the "armchair" label and note that he has developed projects which follow the principles he has espoused. [ [http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0308/news_1-2.html ArchitectureWeek - News - Prizing Contrasts - 2006.0308 ] ]Early in life,
Adolf Hitler expressed great interest in pursuing architecture as a career. However, he lacked the academic qualifications to be admitted to architectural school. Later, he attempted to use architecture as a form of propaganda to glorify Nazi Germany. Most of his grandiose schemes were executed by architectsAlbert Speer ["Inside the Third Reich", Albert Speer] andHermann Giesler .More recently, the title of armchair architect could be applied to the american actor
Brad Pitt , who has collaborated on several small projects including spending some time in the office ofFrank Gehry . Pitt has said, "Whilst acting is my career, architecture is my passion." [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2066592/Brad-Pitt-turns-architect-and-designs-Dubai-hotel.html] Pitt is slated to design a large hotel complex inDubai .Practical Implications
Architectural design has a long learning curve and involves skills in varied areas including
structural engineering ,lighting , sitework, space planning,art , and construction technology. Professional architects learn these skills over many years of education and internship. In many modern countries, it can require up to 9 years of combined formal education and internship before a person is qualified to even sit for the examination that leads to professional licensure as an architect. Very few armchair architects can devote the time necessary to develop the skills necessary to prepare a competent architectural design. ["Building Jerusalem: The Rise and Fall of the Victorian City", Tristram Hunt, ISBN 0805080260 (saying that A. W. Pugin “was more than an armchair architect and proceeded to put his principles into practice in numerous churches across England and Ireland”)]Legal Implications
In most modern countries, architecture is a licensed profession like medicine or law. Many jurisdictions allow unlicensed persons to prepare designs for individual houses or simple agricultural buildings. ["Handmade Houses", Boericke & Shapiro, ISBN 0-89104-001-3] However, it is illegal in many places for unlicensed persons to prepare designs for larger buildings.
Other Uses of the Term
The term “armchair architect” has found considerable usage in connection with golf course design. Several golf magazines, websites, and games have features devoted to “armchair” or fantasy design of golf courses or holes. [ [http://www.worldgolf.com/course-design/architect-golf-pros.htm WorldGolf Magazine/website column “Armchair Architect”] ] [ [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/may01/05-14golfdigestpr.mspx Golf Digest & Microsoft “armchair architect” contest using Microsoft Links Golf Simulation] ] In this context, the concept is more appropriately related to the work of a
landscape architect , but "armchair architect" is the phrase in use.Related Terms
"
Gentleman architect" is a similar term sometimes used to avoid possible negative connotations associated with the "armchair" label. ["American Art: : History and Culture", Thomas Jefferson, Gentleman Architect, Craven, ISBN 0071415246]References
External Links Specifically Using the Term "Armchair Architect"
[http://www.newyorkfirst.com/gifts/7094.html Museum of Modern Art “Armchair Architect” Kit]
[http://www.rbookshop.com/engineering/e/Environmental_Engineering/How_Buildings_Work_The_Natural_Order_of_Architecture_019516198X.htm Book review of “How Buildings Work” using “armchair architect” term and concept]
[http://www.gjsentinel.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/communities/herzog/entries/2007/03/14/our_favorite_bu.html Grand Junction Sentinel piece using “armchair architect” term and concept]
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp/news/interviews/2006/06/19/33030.shtml BBC Interview using “armchair architect” term and concept]
[http://urbanarchives.org/wiki/index.php/Seattle_Public_Library Architectural review using “armchair architect” term and concept]
External Links About the Concept of "Armchair Architecture" But Not Specifically Using the Term
[http://www.favoritearchitecture.org/ AIA popular architecture site]
[http://www.architectmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1006&articleID=456436 Architect Online Article about popular architecture]
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