i'm famous, good looking, and have lots of money. hmmm, what will i become today? possibly, a rocket scientist? hmmm...

please please will someone give me the direct line to his 'cubie' - i just want to give it to the guys at Crank Yankers so they can call and scream about 'where are the drawings?', 'have you finished the damn redlines yet?' and 'no you can't go home at 9pm we have a freaking deadline...'.

Actually we should be nice -being 40 and attending your first internship 'introduction to the office' meeting has got to be tough. Especially as his wife just stopped working and he's probably going to have to work overtime just to keep up with car payments.

The last post was unbeliveably realistic (and thus hilarious)... Where are those picture that you were talking about archigrl? I need a good laugh to relax for being at the office at 8 pm and knowing that I won't get home anytime soon...

I think that it’s great that someone in Hollywood is interested in architecture. Maybe in the future because of his interest when you open up a copy of architectural digest and see homes of the stars it won't be a bunch of ghastly mcmansions that recall theme restaurant designs or Rocco period homes. Maybe his own interest will change the US consumers housing choices and develop a new wave of architectural awareness similar to what happens in the fashion industry. I say give Mr. Pitt the keys to the AIA and hire him to do commercials for architecture.

and your saying MTV cribs hasn't done that already?

Has it?

i have no problem with pitt's interest in architecture, but to think he can become an architect is a joke.

i'm kidding.

there is also Dwell TV

i think MTV cribs has increased teenagers interest in pimped out interior design but it rarely addresses respectable architecture.

from what i've heard, brad pitt is relatively very knowledgable about current issues in architecture. given this, his relative good taste, and his popularity, i think his affiliation with the industry can only be a good thing.

it could make things much easier by having good architecture become a part of mainstream, but brad pitt?? i feel like i've entered the twilight zone...will beleive it when i see the pictures.

why not brad pitt?
I can't understand how anyone can see this as a negative.
He is a very talented actor, why not give him the benifite of the doubt and see what he does with this. Those that think it is not right cause he didn't go through what the rest of us have need to get over it. Things are not always fair.
And why is it hard to believe that he can become an architect?

I feel that Paul is right. Recently ( I cant recall which program) but BP was asked why he didnt just become an architect (the reporter/interviewer clearly showing the lack of knowledge about our profession); BP graciously answered "No, no, it takes 10-12 years to become an architect, and I just couldn't do that. I am a play architect"

At least the man recognizes and is willing to educate at the very least those that are watching the program, that our field is one of professionals. And I dont think that's such a bad thing!

Prince Charles tried to do the same thing in England. Anyone over there have an opinion of whether it has any positive effect on the profession?

i agree he can become a good spokesperson, but i think it is unrealistic to believe that he will or can dedicate the time necessary for it to become more than a hobby. yes, he can do it. anybody can do it. even my mom. but is he ready to refocus his career? he may prove me wrong, but i won't hold my breath.

ok ok
look, i'm not trying to be negative, it's just that this is the first time i've even heard about this, and of all the hollywood actors to be associated with a serious and dedicated profession, mr. pitt would have probably been my last guess. i would have gone through a couple of the indi film stars first...

if he is even relatively knowledgable about architecture and really willing to learn(and to teach the mainstream public)about our profession, i would have to say go for it.

you guys are right, it can only better the profession at large to have the general public begin to recognize and appreciate the part that architecture & the field plays.

an actor wants to be an architect? whaaaaaaaaat!? oh, ok next you are going to tell me that 2 actors will become governors of kaliphonia(california in arnold speak) and that one would be president, rigggggght...ohhh shit!
no seriously if achilies wants to be an architect cool, universities around the nation are accepting applications as we speak and im sure financial aid wont be a problem for him. oh wait he doesnt want to go through 5 years or more of hell, errr school, playboy just wants to roll in, learn some cad, and start designing? what a disrespectfull prick, like someone walking in off the street could perform surgery just because he/she reads health magazines! if brad thinks he is doing the profession any favors by helping architects appeal to a broader audience he is WRONG! by not putting in the hours/days/months/years necessary to attempt to learn something about architecture he is only lessening the standing of the profession and of its true participants!

I agree with Paul. I found that there are alot of architects who are very disturbed by Pitt wanting to study architecture. I believe I have read that he does not even want to be registered, just study it. I know that for the most part architects have enormous egos, myself included...but i dont see why it shoudl be a bad thing if someone on another profession should show interest in ours. I have a interest in graphic design. If i went to school or studied under a graphic designer I would be very upset if the profession looked down upon me for my extended interest. I think we need to suck it up and be happy that someone as prominant as Pitt, who has no need, besides personal interest, to study architecture. makes an attempt to do so. The majority of the worlds population could give a rats ass about architecture or design. I say put Pitt in AIA commercials, let him lecture (if he has anything worthwhile to talk about), and let him open some eyes..even if only because "Brad does it".

BUT... i do agree with third about his presumption in the part he wants to play in the design --

wait a minute--is he trying to get some background research for an up-coming movie about FLW???

ok, this is driving me crazy..post a news link, PLEASE!!

BP's interest in architecture is old news... he was at rem's ucla lecture like 3 years ago. if he has a genuine desire to learn something different from his profession, good for him.

what disturbs me is the likes of dodd mitchell who gets job after job designing clubs and restaurants and he dropped out of high school. i admire him as well-- if someone is talented, clever, and lucky enough to avoid archi school, they have my respect.

what i can't understand is the territorial machismo of this thread.

If he has the passion and interest, and the intellectual ability
(but of course he doesn't because he's a Hollywood actor, right guys?)
to drive him in what seems to be a labor in love, the more power to him.

If you can recall, a certain Japanese boxer taught himself architecture through rigorous self-study and travel, I think his last name was Ando or something? ;)

I was in a job in school that had me dealing with the public on a daily basis (architecture book store). I lost count of the amount of other professionals who expressed a desire to learn more about architecture, and even regret at being doctors, lawyers, developers etc.

Pitt is just the same. I commend anyone who wants to learn more about architecture (aside from blessed FLW who everyone seems to know). It makes for a more educated public and more educated clients. Clients who know who Eames is are rare but delightful.

Lets hope Pitt's taste runs in opposition to mock French Provincial, and from what I have read and seen, it seems to. Even if we dont get paid as much as other professions, at least we have an aura of nobility and mystique which is always attractive (otherwise, why are we here?).

Maybe Brad and Oscar De La Hoya can start their own firm when they're ready!

As I recall Prince Charles was working with Leon Krier. So Brad has much better taste, and is about 200 years ahead of Charles idiologially.

Not that Brad wants to pursue it, but if he did, it's still not a requirement to have a degree in architecture to obtain a liscence to practice in some states.

I don't believe Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier or Mies van der Rohe have the "credentials" to be a licensed architect under present legislation.

I've never met the guy, but I can guarntee you he's more dedicated, focused and genuinly interest in architecture than half the people I met in school (a good deal of whom will presumably be architects someday).

Quite frankly I think the best way to start a career in architecutre is being independantly wealthy. If I had it to do over again, that's the route I'd take.

There was also that really disturbing statistic of the average archtiects career was 10 years, so obviously architects are switching careers as well (or there is some vital info missing from that statisitc, which I'm sure is at least partly true).

I agree with Psycho-mullet I don't know how many times I've heard both buildes and designers say" this job would be so much better without clients". It has always been said that the Patkaus started with a couple of projects from family friends and never really had to work at being financially successful. For many years they toiled away with a couple house projects, taught a little but somehow managed to build themselves a pretty nice house in a very nice part of Vancouver's west side. Go figure!

Back to Mr. Pitt, if he increases the public eye on Architecture and educates the general public above "trading spaces et al " it can 't be bad. As they say in Hollywood " publicity good or bad is better than no publicity" ro something like that.

Rem was in the movies before he became an architect.

Those people who think that BP can not show an interest in architecture should stop watching movies.

He is more successful than any of us will ever be.

depends on how u measure sucess mdler

and btw, those of you that want Brad Pitt in our profession, how many of you are girls? I'm just curious...

I'm just hoping that Brad paves the way for our offices own celebrity intern. The rest of the office is pulling for Erik Estrada, but I'm still holding out for Britney.

celebrity intern...Colin Farrell, who better to tell the boss to fuck off then go take the office for a drink and a fag

Mr. Smithers interns at our office doing color/paint pallet choosing.

honestly when people ask me what i do for a living and i tell them i'm an architect they respond with, "oh like George from Seinfield" or "Vandaly"
Maybe in a year or two people will say "oh like brad pitt"
that is fine with me, at least he is a real person.

WELL....

HEEEEEELLOOOOOOOO, LA LA LA.....

whoops. (tab and enter will submit comments early)

note to self.

with the likes "MTV Cribs", we should be glad that BP is showing interest in REAL architecture. Cribs shows homes that honestly dont exhibit anything of what interesting, unique architecture has the potential of being.

It goes to show how much (how little really) our "celebrity" population has been educated about architecture in totality when P. Diddy or Hillary Duff show the world their faux-Palladian Villa with 12 pools and arched-entry poolhouses the size of a midtown apartment complex.

ridiculous.

i ask myself all the time who would consciously build this monstrosity over and over? is it the same firm for every celebrity?

I see it as- with BP not being a total idiot, he should realize that the profession is not going to be mastered in a year. (I think he had mentioned that in an interview at some point) However- he is filthy rich, and when you combine the yearn to be close to architecture with oodles and oodles of cash, influence, and connections you have a winning recipe for being able to permeate the generally underinformed public about what architecture really is..

and what architect in here wouldnt do the same if they had the mula to do it with? maybe the green isn't the first priority in our pursuit of design (no jokes please, it CANT be the first priority with the average paystub for an arch) but in that area he's at a level where most would like to reach. he's just doing something with it...

Since when have it been bad that people want to study something just to learn it.

Many here talk about him as if he is taking away their jobs or something.

The man is actually a pretty smart guy so I wouldnt be surprised that he find craft like architecture interesting.

And furtheremore btw. the more people who are interested in arcitecture, the more jobs for you all.

BEFORE BECOMMING AN ACTOR BRAD PITT STUDIED ARCHITECTURE IN SCHOOL , I THINK IN OKLAHOMA. NOT TO WHAT DEGREE HE STUDIED TO BUT HE IS SINCERELY INTERESTED, I HAVE SEEN HIM AT LECTURES AROUND LOS ANGELES.

Brad Vandelay & Associates here

Art Vandelay, MTV Cribs, Trading Spaces, Bob Villa, Architectural Digest ... and now Brad Pitt... these are the genes of contemporary architecture that the public digests. mmm.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO KICK ASS BECAUSE HE'S NICE AND SHIT!






oi.

architecture is a very silly profession, all caught up in itself....and people wonder why i make fun of my own job. i think brad pitt would make a great architect. after all, have you seen his chiseled jaw?! he's obviously a talented guy; i'm sure there are people in this forum who probably would've made a lot better actors without even realizing it so there's no reason why this guy can't design buildings. even if he hasn't been through the so called indoctrination process most of the people in this world responsible for all the crapitecture that's been going on have; i'm not entirely convinced there is a solid correlation between design ability and formal credentials. besides, he's in no way disrespected the profession.....anyone have a link to the topic info?

sad people are actually putting hope into a movie star with an interest in architecture to help educate the public and give lectures...lol I mean wha the fuck would he lecture about he is a fucking movie star with no formal education in our profession end of story...he might play a savior in movies but he will not save our professions sorry ass

i wasn't aware that our profession's sorry ass was in need of being 'saved' or that any interest in a famous actor's involvement was about saving it in some way.

and... Pitt & Gehry

he likes Interpol

interpol SUCKS. total crap

icup

who said anything about him lecturing? you a mind reader??

bp should not lecture anywhere. read more carefully next time: "able to permeate the generally underinformed public about what architecture really is.. does not mean lecturing. it means exposure. trading spaces exposure. mtv cribs exposure. through him- a catalyst in sorts- cool archies could strut real design out there....

without the commercialism, of course.

i'm all about him lecturing.

how many times have you been to a lecture by a talented architect who speaks in monotone and reads his entire lecture off of the page?

take the same lecture and give it to an actor of brad pitt's calibre. imagine how interesting architecture can become when good ideas are actually communicated in an interesting manner.

in the Charlie Rose interview a few weeks back, BP said that he is considering playing Howard Roark in a Fountainhead remake. He is so dreamy

they asked him to sit in the panel with gehry et all at that urban conference in downtown LA a little while back but he refused, so I wouldn't feel too threatened. if he wants to pursue his interest in architecture then right on. at some point in time the profession got a country-club mentality....

I did a little bit of reseach (looked shit up on the web) regarding the AIA a couple of months ago, and it had these really disturbing masonic overtones...(just to clarify the country club comment spurred that)

i met brad once. he was not all that. i'm sorry.

how about jackie chan going for it? promoting a revival of architecture in china? that be awesome

i think the future of architecture is in promoting it with people of prestige, however, not pin hole the architecture into a hobbie activity, otherwise wed get people who think they can be MADE architects overnight. look forward to seeing how BP represents

Brad's proffession is that of acting.

An actors job is to pretend to be someone else.

An architect is just another role to 'play'.

I thought this part was especially good:

But Pitt didn't do it all alone. He enjoyed a happy relationship with what he refers to as "a collective" of talent. First among them was designer Kevin Haley, a former actor....
...Other members of this collective included landscape architect Jay Griffith, Graft (a firm of young German-born architects) and Mike Cross, a colorful Irishman (formerly of Fort Hill Construction) whom Pitt descibes as the best contractor in California, if not the world. Pitt says the group functioned very much in the spirit of the Bauhaus: "We were always trading ideas off each other and discussing things."

Well.. I think this one sums it up:
"Unfortunately, the mine from which the howlite had been extracted had been closed years ago. Here, again, Pitt utilized his star power: The owner of the mine opened it up in exchange for an autograph for his daughter. "There is a soul to stone," Pitt says. "I truly believe there is a vibration to it."

How many of us could reopen a stone mine in exchange of... an autograph?!?... It's not about architecture, it's about fame and money.

"There is a soul to stone," Pitt says. "I truly believe there is a vibration to it."

Class! It usually takes years to develop this bullshit potential.

Fortunately Brad has a stronger bull-shit education than most being part Hollywood story-telling machine.

How long before he redefines his architectural interest by correcting the ill informed in that he 'doesn't design buildings, he merely encloses space'.

Does anyone have the link to the pic of BP with Ghery, Zaha, etc. My wife wants to see it.

<img src="http://www.arcspace.com/news/symposium/3.Symposium.jpg">

Frank, Zaha, Patrick and Brad at the gathering of international architects held at the Japan American Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 13, 2004.
You'll find it in http://www.arcspace.com/

hey, he's getting shit done. He should be using his star power (and money) to comission some good work, possibly become a comercial developer who pushes for good design. Show the rest of the country that it can be done.

I'd love to see Brad Pitt become a superstar architect... Who knows if Brad can design??

Tadao Ando was a boxer and then a carpenter before he became an architect... And he never went to architecture school... He gathered his knowledge of design through traveling and reading... If you ask me, broad life experiences, having the interest and dedication to perfect a craft, and a sensitivity to ones environment and to people can be architectural training... And a successful practice is 1/2 design skill, and 1/2 political / rainmaking / talking skills...

Acting is a craft too... It requires an intense study of people... It requires years of dedicated work... Funny thing: Harrison Ford on 'In the Actor's Studio' said acting he thinks is like a craft... He was a carpenter before he was an actor, and when he was asked what he would be in another life, he also said he'd be an architect or a designer...

Lets don't be all snobby and elitist now or we might kick ourselves when Brad Pitt wins the Pritzker Prize while we are all working as his cadmonkeys and building magazine shrines to him in our own offices!!!!

its funny when people here compare architects to doctors - ya sure we are all professionals, but you seriously do not believe that we have as much responsibility (or i should say direct responsibility) as doctors

i couldn't find the pic--- but here's an article.....

http://boifromtroy.com/archives/002054.php

wait r u saying ando = brad pitt? that may be giving brad alittle too much credit. I dont think that pitt is going to turn himself into an architect. I think it's a hobby for him. He's probably pretty happy with his hollywood life.

And btw, who cares, we're the ones here making the big deal about him and gehry. I hope that this discussions dies soon cause there's much more important things to talk about instead of a piece of hollywood.

just saw 'My Architect'

I'm not saying Brad Pitt = Tadao Ando... Nobody can 'be' anybody else... :p

All I'm saying is, weirder things have happened than an actor becoming a designer... I don't think architectural training has a formula. There are plenty of architects who didn't start their careers as architects... Architecture is more about individuality than about uniformity in training...

Philip Johnson never designed a building until he was 36 years old before the success of his design for his own house propelled himself into architectural practice... For the longest time he was a client and critic, an author and a historian, but never an architect.

Rem Koolhaas started out as a journalist and a screenplay writer before he became an architect.

I'm not saying Brad Pitt is a Philip Johnson or a Rem Koolhaas, but who am I to say that he can't be, well, a better designer than I can? I've never met the guy, I've never seen any of his work... For all I know, he might be a great designer... :p

oh i totally understood where you were coming from. Just pulling your strings alittle bit. Fine give the guy credit, i will too. What I'm saying is who cares. Let's just move onto a different topice b/c he hasnt become the next rem, philip johnson, ando, etc. When he's done something spectacular, then we can revive this discussion about Brad.

All in favor say "I"

i

i

New York, May 13, 2004
Actor Brad Pitt on New Film `Troy' and Career: Charlie Rose Listen
Actor Brad Pitt talks with Charlie Rose in New Yorkabout his character as "Achilles" in the new film "Troy," his interest inarchitecture and his working relationship with fellow actor Peter O'Toole. (via Charlie Rose)

- a brief discussion of his love for architecture.

what's going on here?!

maybe rem is making a movie???

Would you work for Brad Pit? Why?

Get to hang out with Jennifer???

brad = cool

brad's cool house

hm.

rem koolhaas meets brad coolass... :p

ya wasn't rem a screenwriter before?

i'm sick of this popularity contest. and brink, yes he was.

bRink, i'm curious... how did you find those? do you know where they come from? who put them on that site? [maybe anonimous guy smiling on the first pic on the site -cropped off here- ?]

first time i see koolhaas smiling. weird.

i got them off a forwarded email... i think they were just floating around in my friend's office.

i strongly sense its hardcore photoshopping. Especially in the 1st and 3rd pic.. the pasting of brad pitt is so evident..
is it really like that or is it because im staring at the mix of CAD, photoshop and illustrator for 3 days now?

U think anaonmous guy will still have a job by the end of this week? :o0

...and with all this H8tr-ade being served...face it, Brad's the Man...

if Brad really wanted to be an architect he would be registered on this fine website. ok, which one of you is Brad?

maybe brad is touring the office... looks like some of the EU Content material in the pictures, and of course the models - looks like porto. i don't know, they look pretty legit to me, though koolhaas does look crazy with that smile...

i guess the basic rule architects follow is to accept any and all media opportunities that come their way.

i find the whole architect - celebrity thing interesting, though personally I could care less if brad pitt fancies himself an architect. let him do is thing, why not? he se seems to be, surprisingly, pretty modest about the whole architecture thing.

i work in amsterdam, and it was in the local press that brad wanted to
visit Content at Kunsthal but missed it. he then asked if he could visit
OMA's office.
not such a big deal really, and he lives part time here in amsterdam anyway.
i think basically any attention is good news for architecture.

Is that Koolhaus's special makeout booth? Does he take Zaha or Lindy Roy in there and give em the old "dutch treat"? Looks like Brad is a little nervous, now you know why.

I heard a long time ago that Brad Pitt said that he would have been an architect if he hadn't "fallen" into acting. He had photos published in Randell Makinson’s book on Greene and Greene's Blacker House http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879059494/qid=1090343040/sr=ka-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-1845062-6555948
…he's actually a pretty good photographer.

There is a guy in the Bay Area who sold his toy development company and has since used his resources to put together a garden festival with Peter Walker... nothing wrong with making money somewhere else (cause you're not gonna make it in this profession) and using it to raise the profile of design professions, if you ask me.
http://www.landliving.com/articles/0000000302.aspx

I think someone should try to cop an archi-related interview with Achilles and it could be featured on the site. Does anyone know how I can contact his agent?

i am sure brad pitt is a totally creative person with great talents. but i have to wonder...does bratt pitt have the grades to qualify for architecture school? does brad pitt have the motivation to go through say, i dont know, 7 years of school and 3 years of internship? could brad pitt pass nine ncarb exams? it makes you ponder...would it actually be easier to become movie star, make a shit load of money and then be able to hob knob with rem koolhaas and frank gehry because you are brad f'ing pitt than it would be to to actually go through the process of becoming a registered architect? good for him. you can buy anything.

equally as interesting lulu is, could you or I become an awesome actor , and make millions of dollars and be married to one of the worlds hottest actresses. ????? marinate on that one. if he wants to chill out with archtects then dope . i dont remeber hot theater girls spending their leisure time with me in studio at 3 am on a saturday night

marinate on what? i am what i am and have gone through an arduous process to do so. excuse me if it bothers me that we glorify celebrities so much that they actually dont even have to work for things that us lowly normal citizens have to bust our asses for.

...talk about a new definition for "Starchitect...."

let's not forget that it was his good looks, not his intellect or acting ability which allowed bp to get his big break in hollywood. therefore, no i don't think that any of us could follow in his footsteps because despite whatever intelligence or ability we might possess, most of us don't have those genetics.

and let's not kid ourselves. becoming an architect is not that hard. you make it sound so arduous, like only the cream of the crop can get it done. true, all of the members of this site are surely brilliant designers and business people, but think about how many sorry idiot architects you've met in this profession. it's not like all arch schools only take the kids with the best grades, either. so do i think that brad pitt could become an architect, school, internship, and tests? yes.

I find it quite disturbing there are several of you "architects" (and non?) in this post who are bashing Pitt, (or anyone else for that matter) wanting to study architecture?... Are you guys for real?! ... Or simply a bunch of elitists with self-righteous problems?

For the most part, 49% of architects I've known have enormous egos, or better yet, devoid of having any sense of construction reality and business acumen. (But that's another story for another post).

What about a former architect who shows interest in automotive design, or in becoming an attorney? As an "individual", should he be condemned?

Better yet, what about a former architect wanting to be a developer, or specifically represent owners on the other side of the table?! Asides from being a richer man three times over, and proud to be, as someone once called him, a "Darth Vader of architecture", should he be concerned of other interests and challenges life throws at him or her? … Embrace change, baby!

(... Also, I won't mention names, but it may be in your best interest for (many of) you to take a few business classes - Let's say, to efficiently turn your dreams of building a reputable practice into reality – to become a “better” architect. Or else, simply enjoy dreaming up your designs on trace/CAD paper and let them manifest themselves in the dark holes somewhere, and stop complaining).

hush up, brad.

with your looks stick to what you know best. dont know any architects with a tush like yours.....were just jealous.

....and john ex, the rule is you must wait till your 3rd post to critize insult and bash us all......else you will be vaporized to dj space.....

your friend,
an emerging elitists self-righteous practice owner with a mba and automotive repair shop,
TED