When an architect or designer releases a manifesto, I get nervous. The frustrated philosopher-poets to the wide-boy developers of the built environment, their overlong descriptions and highbrow concepts have me itching for my editor’s pen.
Current chief offender is designer Thomas Heatherwick and his “Humanise” soapbox. He managed almost 500 pages ostensibly advocating for less “boring” buildings, in reality attempting to be edgy while taking conservative potshots at Le Corbusier. Also, if you’ve been sweating on the top deck of a Routemaster this week, it’s Heatherwick you have to thank.
