PHILADELPHIA | THE LAUREL @ 1911 Walnut | 604 FT | 48 FLOORS

[hammersklavier]

Originally Posted by 1487

excuse me. I will speak for myself. I am not a paid architectural critic for a major publication, nor have I been in a former life unlike some folks here. Its interesting that a writer who has no architectural background has opinions that are held as borderline gospel. A fan of the urban environment who happens to have an extensive vocabulary isn't necessarily knowledgeable enough to be qualified as a paid critic.

So you are implying that those of us whose primary skill set is in writing shouldn't put our skills to work by writing about our passions?

I ... see ...

Fortunately, my paychecks depend on you being dead wrong about that.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

So you are implying that those of us whose primary skill set is in writing shouldn't put our skills to work by writing about our passions?

I ... see ...

Fortunately, my paychecks depend on you being dead wrong about that.

It would certainly be news to me that you can't develop some level of expertise from 20 years of experience. Even in the legal field, it is recognized that one can become a qualified expert in a field by virtue of knowledge, skill and experience without formal education or training. Not saying Inga is an 'expert', but it's certainly a misnomer that the only way to develop special skills and expertise is formal schooling. It is inconceivable that you would NOT develop SOME level of expertise beyond the ken of the casual observer when you are writing and critiquing architecture (and more generally urban development/urbanism) for a living. You seem to know more than the average joe or average skyscraper page forumer too. I'm sure that's not an accident.

[boxbot]

New signage on site!

[Justin7]

Originally Posted by 1487

Dude, I get that she is like a Goddess aren't these parts- this isn't the first time someone has name dropped her award as "proof" that her opinions are faultess. Pulitzers aren't issued by people who know anything about design. She knows how to use the English language well- that isn't in doubt. You remind of the kind of person who argues anyone who is rich must be smart because they couldn't possibly have a lot of money unless they were extremely intelligent.

Another article by Inga, another obsessive series of posts by 1487.

[SJPhillyBoy]

Originally Posted by Justin7

Another article by Inga, another obsessive series of posts by 1487.

1487 is obsessed with her. It is just an opinion, which everyone on these threads is entitled to. I almost feel 1487 opposes just for the sake of opposing, no matter what the statement/subject is.
Maybe he is really in love with Inga, cause based on what he says, he is exactly like her.

[Human Scale]

Inga is always right, until she is wrong.

[Kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Human Scale

Inga is always right, until she is wrong.

She is more right than wrong despite the negative comments. I think she is beneficial as she is not afraid to buck the trend and actually request better than mediocrity. To me she is mostly refreshing and mostly accurate in at least direction and recommendation.

[kingtut]

For those interested Comcast has a new channel 24/7 called the Inga Channel .

[1487]

Originally Posted by SJPhillyBoy

1487 is obsessed with her. It is just an opinion, which everyone on these threads is entitled to. I almost feel 1487 opposes just for the sake of opposing, no matter what the statement/subject is.
Maybe he is really in love with Inga, cause based on what he says, he is exactly like her.

exactly. In all my posts I have never agreed with anyone who has ever posted here on any subject, EVER. You are 100% correct. If you don't bow at the altar of Inga Saffron you are obviously disqualified from knowing anything about anything. The notion that someone who has no real world experience in a very complex business is far more knowledgeable that those who practice a particular trade simply because they have written a lot of articles makes no sense. I understand that everything she writes is to drive home a very narrow agenda that she has and that's fine- but that shouldn't be mistaken with being a subject matter expert. Many of the things she writes betrays her ignorance when it comes to architecture and engineering. Put simply, being an architect is much more difficult than criticizing architecture. It's no different that working for a car magazine- those who are paid to criticize cars likely wouldn't last a couple weeks working as an automotive engineer or designer. I do see that most here seem to agree with Inga that decisions made about design and construction are made on a whim by simple minded people that aren't capable of complex problem solving, but that's not reality. Which is why she typically doesn't actually talk to anyone involved in the projects she criticizes. That's no coincidence. Much easier to make presumptions without any background information and then infer the developers and architects you are criticizing are lazy, greedy and incompetent. She does the same thing when talking about politicians, zoning and planning officials and even community members who don't align with her POV. Everyone is wrong or is lacking vision about Philadelphia- except her.

[BenKatzPhillytoParis]

Originally Posted by 1487

exactly. In all my posts I have never agreed with anyone who has ever posted here on any subject, EVER. You are 100% correct. If you don't bow at the altar of Inga Saffron you are obviously disqualified from knowing anything about anything. The notion that someone who has no real world experience in a very complex business is far more knowledgeable that those who practice a particular trade simply because they have written a lot of articles makes no sense. I understand that everything she writes is to drive home a very narrow agenda that she has and that's fine- but that shouldn't be mistaken with being a subject matter expert. Many of the things she writes betrays her ignorance when it comes to architecture and engineering. Put simply, being an architect is much more difficult than criticizing architecture. It's no different that working for a car magazine- those who are paid to criticize cars likely wouldn't last a couple weeks working as an automotive engineer or designer. I do see that most here seem to agree with Inga that decisions made about design and construction are made on a whim by simple minded people that aren't capable of complex problem solving, but that's not reality. Which is why she typically doesn't actually talk to anyone involved in the projects she criticizes. That's no coincidence. Much easier to make presumptions without any background information and then infer the developers and architects you are criticizing are lazy, greedy and incompetent. She does the same thing when talking about politicians, zoning and planning officials and even community members who don't align with her POV. Everyone is wrong or is lacking vision about Philadelphia- except her.

You're just epitomizing what we're talking about. Most people who post about her and agree with her here agree with some of what she has to say, not all, and generally regard her as just a nice voice rather than some idol. Whereas, you accuse them of "bowing at her altar" and automatically oppose whatever she has to say. It's just sort of puzzling. None of us are THAT opinionated about her except for you. And she does frequently discuss projects with those involved in them. I don't know where you get that.

[Cro Burnham]

Can we start a 1487 self-victimization thread for this line of discussion?

[McBane]

We've been over this so many times. Inga is a critic. It's her job to find fault and offer criticism.

But just as well, 1487 has a right to his/her opinion, just as everyone here does (without being verbally abused or silenced), so long as the expressed opinions are focused Inga's specific arguments of the specific project she is critiquing. Posts that are focused on her and/or her overall body of work are off-topic.

GOOD: I disagree with Inga's opinion about the glass curtain, I think it's very classy the way it is.

BAD: Inga of course hates this project just as hates every project that's not in NYC.

Can we please set some guidelines so we don't have to go through this every time she write's an article? Please.

[Arch+Eng]

Originally Posted by boxbot

New signage on site!

This must be the Wendy's Flagship store. 3 Stories, interior atrium. Neon Lights.

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by Arch+Eng

This must be the Wendy's Flagship store. 3 Stories, interior atrium. Neon Lights.

has anyone seen the new wendys on chestnut? Its got an incredibly creepy "wendy doll" in the window just staring at you like she plans to harvest your organs. Every time I walk past, I hear people mutter how creepy she is.

[boxbot]

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

Speak for yourself. Some of us either are or have been.

Originally Posted by cafeguy

has anyone seen the new wendys on chestnut? Its got an incredibly creepy "wendy doll" in the window just staring at you like she plans to harvest your organs. Every time I walk past, I hear people mutter how creepy she is.

I'll reserve judgment until I hear what Inga has to say about it.

[Philly Fan]

Originally Posted by boxbot

I'll reserve judgment until I hear what Inga has to say about it.

If it's anything like this, it's new and improved, so I'm all for it (regardless of what Inga has to say about it):

[1487]

Originally Posted by BenKatzPhillytoParis

You're just epitomizing what we're talking about. Most people who post about her and agree with her here agree with some of what she has to say, not all, and generally regard her as just a nice voice rather than some idol. Whereas, you accuse them of "bowing at her altar" and automatically oppose whatever she has to say. It's just sort of puzzling. None of us are THAT opinionated about her except for you. And she does frequently discuss projects with those involved in them. I don't know where you get that.

I'd spend a bit more time reading the responses to any post where she comes up. You are definitely being charitable in your description of her cult like following round these parts. I saw I don't agree- numerous people respond with a list of her "qualifications" and awards as proof that she isn't to be questioned. I've talked to other people that don't understand much of her world view- there just aren't any such independent thinkers here apparently. Prior to reading about all the unwavering love she gets here I didn't think her columns were that big of a deal. I mainly only read them to see what info or renderings she includes that may not have been seen elsewhere.

[skyscraper]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

If it's anything like this, it's new and improved, so I'm all for it (regardless of what Inga has to say about it):

is it new or is it improved? it can't be both. "improved" means they made an existing thing better. If it's existing, it can't be new.

[cafeguy]

Originally Posted by Philly Fan

If it's anything like this, it's new and improved, so I'm all for it (regardless of what Inga has to say about it):

no...its very scary

http://citypaper.net/blogs/wendys-instal...sh-wraith-to-humble-and-haunt-passersby/

https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/co...y_else_seen_this_weird_statue_at_wendys/

[iheartphilly]

I like my baconator just as much as the next guy that rolls up in a Mercedes Benz S550...lol.