Rose Slams Cloepfil andPortland LEED Projects

Randy Gragg's Q&A with architect Charles Rose in Saturday's Oregonian was for the most part an interesting, measured, thoughtful conversation. But by the end I came away wincing at a couple of half-cocked displays of disrespect and bad form.

Rose, the Boston-area architect selected by the Oregon College of Art and Craft to design a new library and studio building, talked to Gragg of the "perfect fit" he felt with the project. "My work is all about the relationship between site and architecture. [And] these are great people who care deeply about craft and architecture."

And indeed, his firm's work is deservedly well regarded for, as Randy put it, "deep sensitivity to landscape and an ecological awareness honed well before green became a global cause celebre." I'm excited Charles Rose is coming to Portland to design buildings.

But on a couple of occasions, it was shocking just how blunt Rose was willing to be. First there was his response to a question about sustainable design:

"We always chuckle about Portland, Oregon. Everyone is so proud of all the LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings they've created. But the fact is, because the temperature differential is so mild, it's really not that hard compared to, say, Vermont, New Hampshire or even down South, where people want air conditioning."

"Chuckle"? Maybe Rose has a valid technical point. But did he really intend to show such an arrogant, dismissive attitude?  It's one thing to say, "We have a more difficult challenge on the East Coast and in the South with energy efficiency because of greater temperature fluctuations." It's another thing to basically say, "Portland LEED projects? Give me a break."

But that LEED comment was nothing to what Rose had to say about celebrated Portland architect Brad Cloepfil:

"Brad's work is looking backward. I'm not interested in this high modernist approach. It's boxy and boring. It doesn't challenge me.

Kanye West hired us to do his house in New York. He basically wanted a Giorgio Armani showroom -- the type of architecture Brad does, very orthogonal, minimalist stuff. We decided to go find the guy who did all the Armani showrooms -- Claudio Silvestrin. It's beautiful minimalism. He's the designer; we're the architects. I thought it would be good for the firm.

But I can now tell you that having worked with the best minimalist architect today, it's so boring."

Usually I find such candor refreshing. But if I were Rose's marketing guru, I'd be lying on the floor in a fetal position right now. I mean, who's next for comeuppance: Pietro Belluschi? I'm not saying either Cloepfil or Belluschi or their modernist style can't be subject of criticism - far from it. But I think it should be prefaced with a certain expression of respect.

To rattle off Brad Cloepfil's accomplishments in defense against Rose's jibe would to give it more dignity than it deserves. I also still want to give Rose the benefit of the doubt, because he's an excellent architect and shouldn't be judged on two comments. But if Gragg's interview is an accurate indication, it's a good thing Rose went into architecture instead of engineering, because he certainly doesn't appear to be a bridge builder. Either that, or he's suffering right now from a case of athlete's tongue.

Comments

[rampdx]

Perhaps I too am simply "arrogant" and "dismissive," but I don't understand why any offense was taken at Charles Rose's description about Portland's LEED buildings. It seems to me that he was making a factual statement: energy efficiency is easier to achieve in Portland than it is in other cities that have harsher climates. If Rose's "chuckles" about Portland are interpreted to be an implied criticism of a certain smugness on the part of Portland's architectural community concerning its achievements in enery efficiency, it might be worthwhile to consider whether such criticism is valid.

In a similar vein, I found Rose's comments about Cloepfil and the "high modernist approach" much more interesting than whatever Rose's "marketing guru" might propagate. If Rose believes that Cloepfil's work is "boring," should he not state that for the record, even if Cloepfil is the best-known architect currently working in Portland? And in the event that Rose were to say something negative about Belluschi, what would be problematic with such a statement? His status as a favorite son in Portland shouldn't exempt him from critical (or even casual) evaluation.

[KenW]

I think what Brian was trying to say was the substance of Rose's comments may have been fair, but the attitude wasn't.

[nate]

After reading the interview, I have to agree with Brian's assessment.

My initial reaction was that Rose's words were laced with derision and condescension.... It was the *way* he said it not what he said that gave me this impression.

Furthermore, only the foolish would publicly and openly comment on the work of others in such a way. Rose's publicist, as Brian noted, was almost certainly alarmed by Rose's comments.

[DoubleJ]

An architect with an ego is not news. I think people are overly sensitive to the east coast smug-tude around here. It's easy enough to pull out a euotrash air and browbeat that kind of short sightedness at its own game.

Sure, Rose is shortsighted but that's ok as long as he does good work.... maybe it's all those those old Frank Lloyd Wright and Mike Wallce interviews but I think its ok when very different types of aesthetiticians throw jabs. They are specialists and their polarities act as a way to differentiate on another, a way of owning and refining the disparite views. It all come from passion and I can forgive if the architecture lets me forget.

[Brian]

I think this is an excellent take on it by DoubleJ. Truth be told, after an extra day has gone by since I wrote this, the comments seem less of a big deal in the grand scheme of things. And I definitely admit to being sensitive about east coast condescension. I grew up in Oregon and went to college in New York. I met straight-A students who wondered if we had electricity. So when I read someone saying, 'We chuckle about Portland,' it touches a nerve.

[keith.d]

"But if I were Rose's marketing guru, I'd be lying on the floor in a fetal position right now."

Thank you for the laugh! I agree it was a bit dismissive both of LEEDS and our favored son, Brad Cloepfil.

I found it a little more disturbing though that he was dropping names (Kanye West!) and felt so comfortable farming out his design work.

As for sensitivity to any comments from places east, I once called in to report a cow on the freeway in The Dalles and had the officer - after finding out I was from Portland - ask me if I knew for sure it was a cow.

Dammit.

[Frank Dufay]

I met straight-A students (in NY) who wondered if we had electricity.

I can relate. I was living in NYC when, in 1972, decided to move to Eugene. Wondered if it would have sidewalks. I mean: "Eugene?"

Of course lots of places in Portland, and even the fancy-pants parts, still don't have sidewalks.

[Bill]

Fuck being civil - I'd slap this guy with a big, wet trout upside the head anyday. I certainly wouldn't feel bad about not pulling punches with assholes; and I particularly find it interesting how he distances himself - an architect - from designing. While its one thing to criticize building minamilist boxes today, he's also a jackass. Kudos to Mr. Rose for revealing his personality.

[jks]

I admire Rose for his honesty and speaking what is on his mind and his experience with "modern" architecture. Frankly, it was refreshing to hear another opinion on Cloepfil's work since most of the local lovefest with the media and Brad is often over-the-top. The puff pieces that I read on Allied Works seem to be more caught up with the fact that his is Starchitect than his actual work.

[ptm]

I admire Rose for his honesty and his work. I respect that he's doing great work of his own but would still work with another designer because he has "something to learn." I think if we drop our own egos we've got something to learn from him as well. And kudos to Brian for being able to revisit an opinion as he did!

[raya]

bill needs to go to an anger management class or langauage etiqute seminar

[Modern Maven]

When I moved to Portland seven years ago, a lot of Ducks and alums I worked with had no idea where my school was- and it was one of the top 3 architecture schools in the midwest. They had no idea even where the state it was located in the contiguous 48. My point is the 'backwoods yokel' stereotype can cut both ways.

Many of the architecture grads I worked with had never left Oregon and had never been to Chicago- they really had no idea about the great works of Sullivan, Burnham and Root, et al, that existed or the significance behind them and I found that completely criminal.

That being said, an ego on an architect is nothing new. And he's right to a certain extent, LEED is easier in Oregon, not only due to the climate, but the closeness to nature and ideas of conservation that many Oregonians were brought up with. At the same time, it is much easier in a climate like Boston or NYC to acheive a lot of the energy credits for LEED than it is in a temperate climate like Portland.

[Modern Maven]

When I moved to Portland seven years ago, a lot of Ducks and alums I worked with had no idea where my school was- and it was one of the top 3 architecture schools in the midwest.

That should have said "top three schools in the country..." not just the midwest.

[wheelo]

Check out Kanye's place. Seems a bit cold to call home.

http://www.luxist.com/2007/01/24/a-sneak-peek-inside-kanye-wests-apartment/

[Jill]

LEED ain't all about energy, materials play a large part as well. Are there not locally-sourced materials or recycled ones available in the largest US market - the NE?!

[Modern Maven]

Uh, Jill, no kidding. But the last time I checked, more points were available for energy than for choosing local materials. That's my point.

[james o'hara]

The reason that Portland has successful leed projects is that the clients are inspired and willing to take chances.
East coast clients and architects from Miami to Boston are uptight and tied to the market place . If this changes it is not because anyone was brave but because the polls determined it was safe to go in the water.

[Finish Tag]

Seriously, Modern Maven?
You corrected your post to make it read even MORE arrogant and defensive than it already did?

Wow, impressive.

[dave levine]

Charles Rose does have a huge ego and a big mouth. He's a very sharp well spoken guy so he clearly knew what he was doing - he's rather irreverent.

Having met the man, I'd best label him a "pompous ass", albeit a very intelligent one. Anyway, the real problem for Portland is that Rose could give a shit about anyone but his own legacy. He is too cheap or too short-staffed to produce good working drawings (his construction documents are lousy) so already difficult buildings become nearly impossible to build. This will screw the unlucky contractor and maybe the College when it has to pay change orders. In fact, the contractor who built his much publicized Arts Center in Putney, VT said it would never work with him again.

All in all, his statement just reinforces the fact that all he cares about is himself.