In response to a recent polemic by Witold Rybczynski against the global proliferation of iconic but disconnected projects by starchitects, the New York Times hosts a debate that addresses the question: Are superstar architects ruining city skylines?
The debaters who address the question, as posed by Witold Rybczynski both for the New York Times Magazine and on WNYC, the debate includes thew following voices, and their argument:
- Allison Arieff: "'Starchitects' Aren't the Problem"
- Vishaan Chakrabarti: "International Input Improves Design"
- Angel Borrego Cubero: "For New York, What's Local Is Global"
- Beverly Willis: "Here's to the Demise of the Star Architects"
It wouldn't be a debate without verbal fireworks, and here's a good example from Arieff: "Are 'starchitects' ruining the skyline? Probably not anymore than a dearth of architects has ruined the suburban landscape."
FULL STORY: Are the ‘Star’ Architects Ruining Cities?

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