Rafael Moneo, "Buildings Aren't Objects Alone"

This presentation by Rafael Moneo was part of the Getty Conservation Institute's symposium, "Minding the Gap: The Role of Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment," held on May 21, 2013 at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. This event looked at how today's architects insert new buildings in historic urban areas in ways that conserve the special character and quality of the historic environment while potentially creating the heritage of tomorrow.
Minding the Gap: The Role of Contemporary Architecture in the Historic Environment
May 21, 2013
Heritage conservation is about managing change-and nowhere is this more contentious than in the historic urban environment. How do today's architects insert new buildings in cherished historic urban areas in a way that respects, reveals, and celebrates their special character while potentially creating the heritage of tomorrow?
This one-day public symposium explored the role of contemporary architecture in the historic urban environment. A group of international architects and urban planners-including Thomas H. Beeby, Juergen Mayer H., Rafael Moneo, Richard Rogers, and Denise Scott Brown-presented their own work, illustrating a range of approaches to this challenge. The symposium concluded with an evening panel discussion moderated by architectural critic Paul Goldberger.
This event complements the GCI's Conserving Modern Architecture and Historic Cities and Urban Settlements Initiatives and was presented in conjunction with Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A.

[@DavidJGillCA]

Moneo is a brilliant synthesizer of received form, as opposed to an originator of form. Kalmann McKinnell and McKim Mead and White might also be considered brilliant synthesizers. There is more to be learned from this work than from ten Frankl Gehrys and Zaha Hadids.

[@misssundress]

Amazing talk

[@mariogomez6773]

guapoooo

[@vytaslasys9186]

No surprise I can't understand his writings...

[@DavidJGillCA]

+Vytautas Lasys
Lost in translation, I suspect.

[@pmejia727]

Moneo is one of the worst, less elocuent speakers i have seen in any field.

[@PleasantPlucker]

Actually you rank among the worst writers. I think you meant to say 'least eloquent you've heard', but you're talking about things you most likely don't understand.

[@pmejia727]

@@PleasantPlucker That’s why i don’t write for a living. Moneo, on the other hand, is a TEACHER. He is one of the greatest contemporary architects in my opinion. This fact, however, doesn’t automatically make him good orator. Great job at attacking me instead of what i’m saying though.

[@PleasantPlucker]

@@pmejia727 I picked up on exactly what you said. You should remember that Moneo is speaking in what is not his native tongue. How are you at giving lectures in Spanish, for example?

[@pmejia727]

@@PleasantPlucker Teniendo en cuenta que soy colombiano, creo ser más hábil hablando en español que en inglés. Por eso cometo errores escribiendo en inglés. Pero incluso cuando Moneo escribe en español, leerlo se puede volver una tarea abrumadora. La claridad no es una prioridad en su prosa, escrita u oral y en sus libros y ensayos está la evidencia en piedra.