Most debate about modern architecture revolves around aesthetics. This misses the point. I quite like the way many modern buildings look — what I hate is the way they work.
Say what you like about traditional architecture, no one has ever approached the portico of the British Museum and asked, ‘Any idea where the entrance might be?’ By contrast, until recently (when a design team installed some intelligent signage), you could circle the Barbican for hours and still have no idea how to get in. Once inside, you were faced by a baffling array of stairways all heading in random directions.
One requirement of good public architecture — like good software — is that people should navigate it instinctively. Few if any large airports achieve this (see http://tinyurl.com/cvqm65) though Gatwick has improved its signage recently, thank God.
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