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Old 05-23-2013, 04:53 PM   #878
Muta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC View Post
My theory is that it's a product of committee-think. The problem with architectural competitions isn't that the submissions are all bland, it's that the committees choose bland submissions. In Calgary, we saw it with the National Music Centre and (in particular) the St. Patrick's Island Bridge.
Bang on. But... it's important to know that when a 'bland' architectural submission is selected, it's usually not a round-table consensus. There's lots of hands in the cookie jar, which goes back to my point. Everyone has their opinion.

Plus, architectural excellence is not necessarily always the highest priority on a committee's mind. Unfortunate, but sometimes the most powerful person on the committee holds all the cards, which can play against your favour (friends with other designers, preference for sub-standard and outdated architecture, favours, etc.). I've seen that FAR TOO OFTEN.
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