Architecture & Spatial Design Controversies

Controversy is a way of showing disagreement to a choice or an argument. It can be a disagreement of a group of people who are expressing their opinion about the subject being discussed. (Merriam Webster, n.d) 

Below I listed a number of controversies in spatial design in Malta and also globally.

Local

The New Maltese Parliament

The New Maltese Parliament has been controversial since its announcement. Most of the controversy is political and also about its design. Some argues that it is an eyesore compared to other Valletta’s buildings. Others argue that they like the design as it is showing improvement and innovation in the Maltese architecture. Either way the debate is endless.

Royal opera house

The Royal Opera House has been a debate for decades on what should happen to it in the future. But recently the controversy has been heated, due to the new design it has been done, which is to serve as an outdoor concert area for public events/performances. Some people argue that it should be built again and others say it should have stayed as it was, demolished by war.

The Mriehel Towers

The proposed high rise of the towers in Mriehel has arisen some debates, most of them being political and also for causing an eyesore to the Maltese skyline.

Globally

Antilla Residential Tower

This tower have been into a middle of a controversy because of the fact that it is a residence for only one family (the owner is a billionaire) which never used it and that it was built into a middle class town where it makes them feel insulted.

The Walkie Talkie

The design and form of this tower have created a number of problems towards the nearby residents. Such as melting cars, bicycles, etc. because of the strong sun reflections from the reflected glass it has. It also creates lots of wind gulfs because of the curvatures it has.   

The Portland Building

The structure was built on a low budget and it is causing technical building faults and it’s very expensive to repair. Local people’s concern is that if demolished of reinvested, lots of jobs will be lost and also the cost to be repaired will be very high. There are other issues about the building that is causing controversy.

Other controversial buildings are:

• The Eiffel Tower (Paris, France),
• Guggenheim Museum (New York),
• Al Wakrah Stadium (Doha, Qatar),
• Sagrada Familia (Barcelona, Spain),
• London Garden Bridge, (Thomas Heatherwick),
• The Lens (St. Petersburg Pier). 

References:

Merriam-Webster, 2016. Definition of Controversy. [online] Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

Byrnes, M, 2014. Should Portland Save a Building It Really, Really Hates?. City Lab.[online] Available at: http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/01/should-portland-save-building-it-really-really-hates/8050/. [Accessed 22 October 2016].
Winston, A, 2014. Postmodernist Portland Building will be saved, says Graves. Dezeen. [online] Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2014/12/29/iconic-postmodern-portland-building-saved-architect-michael-graves/. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

Frearson, A, 2015. Walkie Talkie blamed for powerful downdraught on London streets. Dezeen. [online] Available at: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/23/walkie-talkie-skyscraper-rafael-vinoly-blamed-powerful-downdraught-london/. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

Hamill, J, 2015. Architect behind London's controversial Walkie Talkie building plans amazing rooftop park the size of 23 football pitches. Mirror. [online] Available at: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/architect-behind-londons-controversial-walkie-6458876. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

MacLeod, F, 2014. The 9 Most Controversial Buildings of All Time. ArchDaily. [online] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/573271/the-9-most-controversial-buildings-of-all-time. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

Longbottom, W, 2011. World's most expensive house Antilia in Mumbai lies abandoned. Daily mail news.[online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2053231/Worlds-expensive-house-Antilia-Mumbai-lies-abandoned.html. [Accessed 22 October 2016].

Quirk, V, 2012. Despite Controversy, Michael Maltzan Architecture's "Lens" Will Go On. Archdaily. [online] Available at: http://www.archdaily.com/304544/despite-controversy-michael-maltzan-architectures-lens-will-go-on. [Accessed 22 October 2016].