The AFP ran a story yesterday about Prince Charles and his latest clash with architects over his traditionalist views on architecture. (Prince Charles faces new architecture row) This isn’t the first time the prince has angered British Architects. 25 years ago he described the proposed National Gallery Extension as “a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend”, much to the outrage of the British architectural establishment.
Yesterday’s British press was rife with stories about the Prince and his architecture views, it was as if he had committed a great sin against humanity just by threatening to again express his views on architecture. Yet, for Architects, the Prince really has committed an unforgivable crime. In 1984, he was invited to present the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture to the Indian architect Charles Correa, instead of giving a simple toast and presenting Correa with his medal he lambasted the state of current British architecture. All of this occurred at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). So, now with the news that the prince was again to speak at the RIBA, and the release to the media of portions of his speech, he has reignited the flames. What the prince doesn’t realize is that Architects more than anything hate to be critiqued, especially by those not in the profession. In Architecture “everyone is an expert”, and that’s one thing Architects can’t stand.
Is Prince Charles really a living Ellsworth Toohey? (more…)