Now explain to me where the ‘competition’ is: Catching up a bit after a hectic week, I was struck by this article a few days ago about the BRA launching a design competition for new Greenway buildings. One important rule for this alleged exercise in creativity: Do as the BRA dictates. ... Sure sounds like the self-appointed elite architects are still employing the same condescending lines about ‘red brick’ and the old-vs.-new, blah, blah, blah. They already have an idea what they want. So why the "competition"? They stipulate what designs should and shouldn't look like, right down to the "transparent exteriors, multiple entrances, and the use of shiny, modern materials." In other words, they're going for glass and steel buildings. ... Where do bureaucrats get off hijacking the design process like this? Why do I have a horrible feeling we’re about to get the type of modern, shiny up-scale banality you see at suburban office parks?

... Ooooooo. Shiny new steel trestles covered in glass at multiple entrances. As if we’ve never seen that before. ...  ¶ 9:46 AM