James Stirling takes us from Germany, to London, to Boston, guiding us through three of his widely famed museums. Though the buildings designed and created by the established architect contain some of the world’s most notable works of art, Stirling reminds us that architecture serves as its very own long standing piece. Influenced greatly by both the European avant-garde and classic Victorian structures, Stirling is bold and daring in his designs. Both his colleagues and critics reject the classification of Stirling as a Postmodernist, believing the term “rogue architect” to fit him better. In reference to his design process Stirling states, “I do not believe that no matter how complex a building is, it should be consistent in its expression, consistent in its scale, consistent in its materials. I think the building can be inconsistent in its materials, varied in its scale, and different in its expression.” (James Stirling) With no desire to abide by the rules of a specific and timely movement, Stirling creates with a free and explorative hand.
Up Next in Pritzker Architecture Prize Winners
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Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Driven by their mutual admiration of classical architecture, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott-Brown have worked together to create a space of unique post-Modernist construction. Filmed during the design and realization of the Sainsbury extension to the National Gallery in London, the husband and w...
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Oscar Niemeyer: Life is Breath
Produced in Brazil to coincide with Oscar Niemeyer’s 100th birthday. Still working and speaking with an extraordinarily clarity and intellect that’s undiminished by age, Niemeyer recounts his long life and remarkably prolific output and philosophy. This included producing designs for Brasilia (bu...
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The Power of the Archive: Renzo Piano
The film delves into the archive of the Renzo Piano Foundation and the Studio. Drafts, sketches, models, renderings, drawings are all housed in 3,000sqm of a converted factory in Genoa, which reflects the identity of the Architect and his way of thinking and working. A place of experimentation, t...