Henrique Barros-Gomes
  • Home
  • About us
  • Philosophy
  • Contacts
  • Portfolio
    • Residential >
      • Apartment II in Lisbon
      • Linear House
      • Loft in Lisbon
      • Apartment I in Lisbon
      • Tree House in Arraiolos
      • Private house in Reguengos
      • The Modernist Cabin
      • House in Odemira
      • Beach House in Luanda
      • House near Lisbon
    • Civic & Cultural >
      • Cultural Center in Vila Nova de Paiva
      • Cultural Center in Vila Velha de Rodão
      • City Library in Vila Velha de Rodão
      • Benavente High School Extension
      • New Lagos Train Station
      • Penedono Swimming Pool Complex
      • Porto de Mós Swimming Pool Complex
    • Competitions >
      • The Modernist Cabin
      • Loft Boutique
      • Green 360
      • Stockholm Library Extension
      • Coa Archaeological Museum
      • Porto de Mós Swimming Pool Complex Competition
      • Penedono Swimming Pool Complex Competition
    • Hotels and Retail >
      • Hacienda Branca Winery
      • Vale d'Algares Winery
      • Brio organic supermarket
      • Aparthotel in Olhao
      • Boutique Hotel in Luanda
      • Eco Resort in Tavira
      • Museum Coffee House
    • Refurbishment >
      • Apartment I in Lisbon
      • Apartment II in Lisbon
      • Loft in Lisbon
      • House in Ferreira do Zezere
      • Barn renovation in Ferreira do Zezere
      • Apartment III in Lisbon
      • Apartment IV in Lisbon
      • Apartment I - Before and After
      • House in Odemira
      • Building in Alcantara, Lisbon
      • Building in Mouraria, Faro
    • Furniture >
      • Zig Zag Chest of Drawers
      • Squares sideboard
    • Sketches >
      • Architectural Sketches
      • Landscape Sketches
  • News
  • Blog

10. Controversies and unanimity

8/8/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
Half a dozen years ago a building I designed had just opened, and was the focus of attention of one of the biggest "opinion makers" of my country, Miguel Sousa Tavares, in his weekly opinion column in the "Expresso", one of the main Portuguese newspapers. Since I am a regular reader of his articles I read what he wrote right at Saturday morning. One can’t say that he enjoyed my building. In truth, he hated it and wasn’t inhibited to express his displeasure with the usual mastery. On top of that, my critic had an emotional involvement with the place, where he spends his holidays since childhood. The project in question refers to a new train station in Lagos, following the transfer of the completely obsolete old station to the local authority, to be transformed into a cultural facility. My critic was disturbed not only about the fate of the old station (which is actually not yet materialized) but also questioned the need for a new building and especially its aesthetics.

I confess that when I finished reading the article I felt both joy and satisfaction and of course some astonishment with the lightness of some of the opinions in it. But the positive sentiment predominated. For one simple reason: No breeder wants to be unanimous! In reality it’s the worst that can happen to us gather consensual opinions on what we do. Obviously that if we only take negative reactions it could eventually affect us, but some criticism, though acidic, in the midst of the received compliments, can only enrich us. As the saying goes "what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger."

The point is that, in our works, we just manage to be consensual if we move in a range of conformity and good behavior, in a way that doesn’t bother people, but doesn’t surprise them either. Then we can have a work that doesn’t dislike anyone. But will it really please someone? Will it have the ability to arouse emotions, to move? Definitely, I don't care to be consensual.
Picture
On the following Monday, as soon as I got to the office, one of my colleagues came right to me. He had also read the article and was outraged! He asked me what we would do – Nothing, I replied with a smile. He was incredulous and ask me again - but why? Aren’t you offended with what is written in the article? No, I said, I obviously don’t agree, but anyone is entitled to an opinion! And I couldn’t resist playing a bit: In fact, I’m even grateful, it’s almost the recognition of my maturity as an architect, the first real controversy in which my work is involved ...

I don’t think my colleague has agreed or even understood my reasons. Anyway, opinions, one can’t really please everyone!
0 Comments
    Go to the Portuguese version

    My views on architecture... and life!

    Picture

    Author

    I'm a Lisbon based architect. My architecture practice is founded on a contemporary design philosophy.

    Archives

    September 2020
    August 2020
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    May 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Posts by name

    1. A matter of perspective...
    2. Do it yourself!
    3. Why is an architect needed?
    4. My Dream House
    5. My kind of holidays
    6. God is in the details
    7. My dream house, part II
    8. Tigers, whales and some other animals.
    9. We can only step on the white stripes!
    10. Controversies and unanimity
    11. Guest post for Todd Vendituoli
    12. Conception and accomplishment
    13. The decisive moment
    14. From sketch to construction
    15. Interesting times
    16. From Howard Roark to Steve Jobs
    17. The Frankenstein-house
    18. Beyond the "Wow-factor"
    19. A balance
    20. Investing in times of crisis

    Want to subscribe my blog? Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Categories

    All
    01
    2011
    2012
    Balance
    Case Studies
    Christmas Card
    Crisis
    Environment
    Frankenstein
    Hbg
    Interior Design
    Kitchens
    #LetsBlogOff
    Loft
    Networking
    News
    Opinion
    Projects
    Refurbishment
    Residential
    Sketches
    Travel

    RSS Feed