A note from the editor

Phi Kappa Phi Forum, Summer 2003 by Kaetz, James P

IN THIS ISSUE

I am the first to admit that my knowledge of architecture is practically nil. As long as my house has sufficient room, does not leak, and is something that I can afford, I am largely satisfied. It is not that I am a complete Philistine; one cannot earn a PhD in literature and remain ignorant of art and artists and their influence on poetry and fiction. I even vaguely remember having read and, at the time, understood John Ruskin. No, it is more that with my general lack of visual perspicuity (to which I have confessed in the past in this space), I never really had the need or even the chance to study the field. At least when I was an undergraduate, one did not have the opportunity to substitute "Architecture 101" for the world history survey or conversational Spanish. So as Woody Alien says (tongue firmly in cheek) about his own lack of ability to understand the art of pantomime, "I possess an Achilles' heel culturewise that runs up my leg to the back of my neck."

Until now, of course. This issue has been an education for me, and a welcome one to boot. While I still do not claim to know my plinth from my cornice or my Doric from my Ionic, at least now I will be able to stem the rising panic if someone brings the topic up in polite conversation. Our authors offer a broad range of ideas and topics as they take us on a journey through the history, theory, people, and practices of architecture. Their essays are challenging, informative, and insightful. And if they can offer hope to a visual idiot like me, then just think of what they have to offer for those of you who are not quite so design-impaired.

To lead off, Leland Roth offers an overview of the history of American architecture. Professor Roth covers major architectural movements and influences from colonial times to the present in a piece that provides context for the articles that follow in the issue. Next, Georgia Bizios advocates that architects and teachers of architecture build on sound architectural principles rather than following the whims of the moment or copying the models of the past. She suggests a systematic approach to design that involves paying attention to design philosophy, principles, guidelines, and standards.

Robert McCarter then explores what he sees as an overlooked tradition in American architecture, the legacy and relationship of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis I. Kahn. McCarter discusses the achievements of these two great American architects of the past century, in particular the rarely acknowledged influence that Wright had on Kahn's work. In her article, Kim Tanzer espouses an architecture that emphasizes practice before theory. Using the examples of Shigeru Ban's practical designs for refugee houses and the unique work of Auburn University's Rural Studio, she shows how architecture can be both innovative and engaged at the same time.

Speaking of Auburn's Rural Studio, Bruce Lindsey follows with a tribute to the man who co-founded the renowned program, the late Samuel Mockbee. Lindsey paints an unforgettable portrait of Mockbee as teacher, architect, artist, and human being. Peter McCleary next discusses architectural technology. Using a historical perspective, Professor McCleary tells us how the technologies of architecture have evolved in the areas of materials, production, structures, idea of space, environment, and digital design, and how this evolution has affected architectural practice. And finally, Donlyn Lyndon reviews some of the work done in the past forty years at The Sea Ranch, an innovative ten-mile stretch of the northern California coast where architects, engineers, builders, and property owners have made sure that homes there are constructed to give "prominence to the natural setting, incorporating the existing ecology of the place."

APPRECIATIONS

First, I want to thank Dr. Neil Luebke for the work he did on our Spring 2003 issue on "Professional Ethics." His knowledge of the field and, even more important for us, his professional relationships with the authors whom we invited made for an outstanding issue.

Second, we also want to thank Robert Burns, former Phi Kappa Phi Forum "Arts" columnist, former Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi National Artist award winner, and current professor of architecture at North Carolina State University for acting as our consultant on this issue. He advised us on topics and provided us with a list of excellent possibilities for authors, thus allowing us to present what we think is another special issue of the Forum.

Thanks go to Jessica Lytle and Callie Sparkman, our professional writing interns for the Spring 2003 semester, for their good work for us.

And please welcome the second half of our new columnists: Jennifer M. Stolpa, Anthony J. Dukes, Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni, and Heidi Tolles Motzkus. They start off their work for us with a provocative set of columns.

Enjoy the issue!