Criticism mounts against architect of SMU 'Wave' fountain

[aus10fromhous10]

The New York Times published an article today that details many of the complaints and issues raised about the work of Santiago Calatrava, who architected the "Wave" fountain on campus, gave the 2005 commencement address and also designed the bridge to nowhere in South Dallas.

A Star Architect Leaves Some Clients Fuming
http://nyti.ms/1gYo1Nw

"What you see over and over again is that rather than searching for functionality or customer satisfaction, he aims for singularity," said Jes├â┬║s Ca├â┬▒ada Merino, the president of Bilbao’s architects’ association. "The problem is that Calatrava is above and beyond the client."

The transit hub that he designed for the World Trade Center has been plagued with problems and if I remember correctly, the Dallas bridge had very similar budget and engineering issues. Glad we gave this guy a honorary degree...

[couch 'em]

A big shot architect caring more about form and ego than function? I've never heard of such a thing!

[East Coast Mustang]

I've always thought the Wave fountain looked ridiculous

[Mustangsabu]

I like the wave fountain, and I like much of his work, but it is always good to be reminded of the flip side of dealing with artists.

[ponyboy]

I like the wave fountain, but the sound the comes from it is awful. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. Big fingernails and big chalkboard.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I ike The Wave Sculpture because it reminds me of The Machine used by The Met for their recent Ring Cycle.

[Mustangsabu]

I ike The Wave Sculpture because it reminds me of The Machine used by The Met for their recent Ring Cycle.

There is no place for culture on here. I'm amazed no one has turned this into a green wave jab at JJ.

[35straight]

Two things:
1. He spoke at my graduation ceremony and no one could understand a word he said. Simply awful.
2. Best thing to ever happen to the wave was a drunken frat boy riding and then breaking it on a surfboard.

[ponyboy]

Better than the drunken frat boy who donned an opposing team's helmet and checked himself in to the onfield huddle?

[35straight]

No, and that also happened during my tenure.

[PonySnob]

Better than the drunken frat boy who donned an opposing team's helmet and checked himself in to the onfield huddle?

One of the craziest things to happen at Ford Stadium........

[East Coast Mustang]

Better than the drunken frat boy who donned an opposing team's helmet and checked himself in to the onfield huddle?

One of the craziest things to happen at Ford Stadium........

I dont recall this?

[PonyKai]

Two things:
1. He spoke at my graduation ceremony and no one could understand a word he said. Simply awful.
2. Best thing to ever happen to the wave was a drunken frat boy riding and then breaking it on a surfboard.

Ron Kirk gave a much worse commencement speech. If we couldn't have understood a word he said, it would have been massive improvement.

[RGV Pony]

Better than the drunken frat boy who donned an opposing team's helmet and checked himself in to the onfield huddle?

One of the craziest things to happen at Ford Stadium........

I dont recall this?

Vs Nevada during the PB regime

[smusic 00]

[quote="ponyboy"]Better than the drunken frat boy who donned an opposing team's helmet and checked himself in to the onfield huddle?

One of the craziest things to happen at Ford Stadium........

I dont recall this?

Vs Nevada during the PB regime[/quote]

There's a thread from the guy who did it somewhere. May be time for the annual bump.