I ATTENDED the launch of the 1999 Festival of Architecture and Design at Glasgow's Tramway Theatre on May 20.
Design is a wide-ranging activity in human affairs spanning the creation of images to considerations of function. Artists operate at the image end of the design spectrum and professional engineers operate at the functional end. The role of an architect should span the spectrum of design activities but architects tend to concentrate their work towards images to the neglect of function in many cases.
Images are sexy, function is not, and the 1999 Festival is clearly going to be emphasising design in relation to images. But what is your view of a beautiful car that will not start or a fine-looking building that leaks? Images can be like a stage set; look behind and there is nothing there. If we want Glasgow to re-invent itself, to continue to flourish, images, though important, will not be sufficient.
Engineering design was the main factor in the success of industrial Glasgow in the nineteenth century. I submit that the success of Glasgow in the twenty-first century will not be less dependent on engineering design. It must also be celebrated.
Iain MacLeod,
Professor of Structural Engineering,
University of Strathclyde,
107 Rottenrow,
Glasgow.
May 21.
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