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Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

independent.com

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Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#71

Post by ctdonath »

praptak wrote: post #18
Saint_Genet wrote: post #4

"The idea was conceived by 97-year-old billionaire-investor turned amateur-architect Charles Munger, who donated $200 million toward the project with the condition that his blueprints be followed exactly." Absolutely amazing

We really need a way to protect ourselves against what the rich are doing to the rest of us.

You have a way: freedom. You're free to not associate. You can choose alternatives to UCSB, Apple, Facebook, lousy jobs, high tuition, etc. Sure you won't get the benefits those offer, but nobody is compelling participation. That's why Americans (at least some of them) are so fiercely adamant about their rights, to a degree that puzzles many: the right to choose differently, however foolish it may seem to others, is the right to choose and is the right "to protect ourselves against what the rich are doing to the rest of us".

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#73

Post by exhilaration »

yashap wrote: post #65
gt565k wrote: post #28

Glad he had the balls to step down and call them out. The other committee members and people in charge of the project should be embarrassed as they failed to represent the best needs of the university and its students. Windowless dorms, crazy 97 year old billionaire amateur architect and a bunch of corrupt university staff and committee members who would do anything to save a few bucks. What could go wrong? Humanity…

100%. Sure, the billionaire is probably an asshole, but he’s also 97 and not an architect. The real problem here is the leadership at the university deciding to move forward with this monstrosity just to get a big donation.

But money! I agree that this is a pretty crazy project, but that's a lot of money to turn down for a public university.

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#74

Post by sireat »

Saint_Genet wrote: post #4

"The idea was conceived by 97-year-old billionaire-investor turned amateur-architect Charles Munger, who donated $200 million toward the project with the condition that his blueprints be followed exactly." Absolutely amazing

This is almost like a living will version of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Stork_Derby which at least had some crazy/funny provisions.

This Munger monstrosity is positively distopian. What happened to Charlie's wisdom?

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#75

Post by theroqwpeo »

daniel-thompson wrote: post #24

Munger also did the same thing for the University of Michigan's graduate residence building^; 95% of the rooms have no windows. ^ https://housing.umich.edu/residence-hall/munger/

Reviews of this residence: https://www.veryapt.com/ApartmentReview-a7222-munger-graduat...

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#76

Post by hangonhn »

nottorp wrote: post #38
Saint_Genet wrote: post #4

"The idea was conceived by 97-year-old billionaire-investor turned amateur-architect Charles Munger, who donated $200 million toward the project with the condition that his blueprints be followed exactly." Absolutely amazing

So... did this billionaire get rich by selling anti depressants? I'd understand this as his cunning plan to get richer then.

He’s the other half of Berkshire Hathaway —- Warren Buffet’s company.

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#77

Post by mikestew »

I'm absolutely serious when I say that the second illustration of the "suites" bares a striking resemblance to the layout of the county jail I briefly stayed in in Anderson, Indiana. There a few differences I'll note:

1. The rooms in the jail were larger, but I did have a roommate, so I'm not sure which has the larger amount of personal space.

2. In jail, at least there were windows.

3. In jail, I only had to share the toilet with one other person. The dorm has eight people, and one pooper and shower? I'll take jail, thanks.

4. Jail didn't have a fridge and kitchen sink, however.

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#79

Post by wyager »

ciabattabread wrote: post #36
notRobot wrote: post #17

No windows? No natural light whatsoever? That's gotta have a serious negative impact on the mental health (and possibly sleep patterns?) of the students. Not to mention that in case of a fire, all the people rushing to the two exits will get into a stampede, and those who remain in their rooms will suffocate, with no windows to open for fresh air or to be rescued from? This is the most dystopian thing I've heard of i…

NYC has a law that for a room to be legally called a bedroom, it must have a window that's not on a lot line. I can't believe California doesn't have a law like that.

The NYC law doesn’t actually accomplish much though. The last time I lived in NYC, probably 4 years ago, I was in a $3k/month studio and my legally mandated window faced into the interior well of the building, maybe 50x50’ wide and probably 40 stories deep. No plants, only the palest hint of sunlight.

Re: Architect Resigns in Protest over UCSB Mega-Dorm

#80

Post by ctdonath »

adenozine wrote: post #42

Jesus FUCK that's a horrible idea. My neighbor is a maintenance guy for a sober living complex and he has talked to me about maintaining these kinds of high density environments, and this seems like a nightmare scenario just waiting to happen. Also, just emotionally, this can't possibly work. There's no way to succeed in such a high pressure environment like those college years with so little space and so little priv…

Your point is good, but the profane is inappropriate.
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