Graham
Gund, FAIA. Mr. Gund graduated from Kenyon College in 1963 with a major in Psychology. He went on to pursue graduate study at the Rhode Island School of Design and received his M.Arch. from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. In 1971, Gund founded his firm, Graham Gund Architects in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work around the world has made Gund one of the most acclaimed and admired American architects of the 1980-90s.
BC: As I explained earlier, my project is called Architecture as a Cultural Icon, in the difficult discipline of architecture, not every example of architecture is an icon. That said, how do you think architecture functions as an icon?
GG: In some cases, civic buildings are icons. Take the Imperial City in China for example.
BC: What, do you think, architecture embodies for society?
GG: Almost everything. Architecture is the way people help define themselves...hoping to instill a sense of proportion, grandeur and philosophy. Architecture can change the way people live their lives...It can make them happy or sad.
BC: After the recent completion of the Petronas Towers, the title of World's Tallest Building was taken away from the United States for the first time. How do you see the future of American cities?
GG: The Petronas Towers is a beautiful building, Pelli did a wonderful job with it, but the bottom is a mess. There is no way in or out. The Petronas Towers has lost its status. As for American cities, it is not so much the size but the character.
BC: What about the Sears Tower? Will it become a monument to the Modern era like the Empire State Building is to Art Deco?
GG: No, the Sears Tower is ugly.
BC: If you could pick one or two buildings from the Modern Era, what would be your favorite(s)?
GG: (sighs) Well, there are so many and so many cities...
BC: One of my favorites is the Citicorp Center in Manhattan.
GG. I don't like that one. I just don't see how it can possibly stand up.
BC: But what about the sloped roof and aluminum cladding?
GG: Those are very nice, but I like the CBS building.