Form follows profit is the aesthetic principle of our times.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that design and aesthetics are often dictated by financial considerations.
Richard Rogers' quote 'Form follows profit' reflects the idea that in contemporary society, the design of buildings and structures is heavily influenced by economic factors. This principle implies that the pursuit of profit can overshadow artistic expression, leading to a situation where the aesthetics of design are secondary to their financial viability. It also poses a critical view on how modern architecture and art may sacrifice creativity and innovation for the sake of financial gain.
In practice
During a lecture on modern architecture, I quoted Richard Rogers to emphasize how financial considerations shape the buildings we see today.
I love cities, I spend most of my life talking about cities. And the design of cities does have an effect on your life. You're lucky if you can see trees out of your window and you have a square nearby, or a bar, a cornershop, a surgery. Then you're living well.
A greater focus on design in all new homes would make the best use of land, create homes and public spaces, and reinforce the structures of urban life.
My passion and great enjoyment for architecture, and the reason the older I get the more I enjoy it, is because I believe we - architects - can effect the quality of life of the people.
The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody involved.
When I started out, nearly every architect I knew was working in public practice; that's where the radical thinking was done. But, there's always a danger of looking back as our fathers did and saying, 'Things were better then.'
Architecture is about public space held by buildings.
Meditation is such a more substantial reality than what we normally take to be reality.
I am the descendant of slaves, of people that were born from a slave and a slave master.
Cities can be places that represent the best of our ideals: where Americans of all different backgrounds can come together and, through their interactions, and even through their unity, spawn true American greatness.
Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.
Not until we dare to regard ourselves as a nation, not until we respect ourselves, can we gain the esteem of others, or rather only then will it come of its own accord
The audience is the best judge of anything. They cannot be lied to. Truth brings them closer. A moment that lags - they're gonna cough.
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